Outbox, Ticketmaster Founder Look to Put Ticketmaster Out of Business

It’s incredible what can take place after golden parachute non-compete clauses and other exit packages for high-level executives expire.

Take for example Fred Rosen, the 61 year old founder of Ticketmaster. After clouding the concert experience of fans for three decades with high service fees, he has returned as a partner of Outbox Enterprises, a start-up company and competitor that was formed by a former CFO of Ticketmaster. He told Janet Morrissey, a reporter for the New York Times, that he wants to strike back at his former front row mates Ticketmaster-Live Nation.

In the interview Rosen said he wants to cut the middleman out by returning tickets into the hands of clubs, concert halls and arenas and help venues sell services, merchandise and tickets directly through their own websites. Despite the success Rosen says Ticketmaster appears to be outdated. Thirty years ago when I created that model did I think it would last thirty years? Nothing ever lasts that long.

Ticketmaster and Live Nation representatives declined to comment.

Although the chances of Rosen being able to unseat Ticketmaster are slim, Barry Diller, former boardroom foe, and media analysts aren’t ready to completely dismiss the savvy industry veteran. Rosen has already partnered with Anschutz Entertainment Group, the second largest ticket seller for live performances in the U.S. behind Ticketmaster, as well as Cirque du Soleil.