Good Sport: Madonna, M.I.A., and Minaj Play Ball in ‘Give Me All Your Luvin’ ‘ Video

Madonna is not a woman who likes to share her spotlight, so the fact that she surrendered the aesthetic of her new video for “Give Me All Your Luvin’ ” to promoting her upcoming appearance at Sunday’s Super Bowl halftime show and asked M.I.A. and Nicki Minaj to appear on the track is no small feat.

The Madonna- and Martin Solveig-produced song — the first single from March 26′s M.D.N.A. — channels the retro vibe of her Austin Powers single “Beautiful Stranger” through the “Mickey” filter (Tony Basil is even rocking a similar cheerleader chic look in its single cover). But Madonna has a little additional firepower here: Minaj contributes a blitzkrieg 16 referencing “boy toy” and her own alter ego Roman, while M.I.A. joins in a few seconds later with a handful of slo-mo bars that ends with a gun blast censoring her parting shot, “I don’t give a shit.” In short: Everyone plays themselves perfectly.

The video, directed by Megaforce, is regrettably light on Madonna’s dancing, especially considering her videos for 2008′s Hard Candy were elaborately choreographed. Her attempt to find a bridge between sports, love, and fame falls a bit flat — “Fans can make you famous, a contract can make you rich, the press can make you a superstar, but only luv can make you a player” is scrawled in cursive at the top of the clip — but in the end, the football players and cheerleaders in the video are all literally faceless passersby. They, like the two high-profile MCs, are all here in service of the Queen of Pop — they are shouting “L,U, V, Madonna” and taking bullets for her, after all.

But are those Smirnoff bottles we spy on the bar while Madonna strikes familiar poses and Nicki and Maya are decked out like virgins? Everyone’s gotta play the stupid game these days, even if she is not only a different kind of girl, but a different kind of queen.

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Good Sport: Madonna, M.I.A., and Minaj Play Ball in ‘Give Me All Your Luvin’ ‘ Video

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Online event ticketing packages

We’ve been hard and work on our package options and I wanted to mention a few updates that are now live and complete within all accounts. We’re always open to improving our system and will continue to improve these packages and receive customer feedback on more improvements over time. One of the big improvements that we’ll be working on soon is the option to have our system assign seats automatically based on availability vs. allowing your customers to choose their own seats. This option will be coming online soon.

Package improvements:

We now have 3 flexible package options available which include “Discount packages, Flex packages, Series packages”.

Discount packages:

Discount packages allow you to define a number of general admission or reserved seating events that are available for a package discount. You define the events, the number of events required to get the discount and the discount amount (amount or percentage). If the user chooses the events required, the appropriate discount will be applied when they checkout. Please note that this is the only package option at this time that allows you to sell reserved seating events. This package option is great for having ultimate flexibility where you might have events in different locations with reserved seating and general admission all included as options.

Series packages:

Available for general admission events using the same seating chart, a series package allows you to group events by “series” and apply a discount. The series package option presents the package as an option within your venue store and the patron only needs to select that package to get all shows in the package and receive the discount during checkout. Individual tickets are printed for all events within the package. Soon, this option will be available for reserved seating when we complete the option of the system to sell seats based on availability instead of allowing the customer to choose their seats.

Flex packages:

A flex package allows you to define events available, but the difference is that you define how many tickets the patron needs to purchase from the available events on a list to get the discount. So, for example, if there are 20 events possible, you might require them to purchase 5 events from the list to get a 20% discount. This is different from series packages because it allows the customer to choose which events they want as part of their package. Series packages provide the customer with specific events and no choice. Flex packages also now allow you to define a specific discount per event. So one event in the package might have a 10% discount and another event might be discounted by $5. Again, this option is currently only available for general admission events using the same seating chart.

Please contact us today for a demonstration.

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How we’re improving our online ticketing service in 2009 and beyond

We’re always hard at work with thoughts and actions of improving our services and software. 2009 is going to be an exciting year for everyone and we look forward to offering everyone the best online ticketing system possible – at an even better price – as usual. That’s always our goal at ETS – to offer an amazing service at a great price. Our prices start at a flat $.50 per ticket for all events and CAN go down based on your volume. Let us know how we can help.

Now on to the juicy details. Below are some of the new features and improvements that we’re going to be rolling out very soon. This is in no way a comprehensive list – just a quick list of things that we think you might be interested in. Of course this list will always be evolving because we’re always trying to take suggestions on how we can improve our system.

We look forward to working with you in the new year and beyond.

1. Ability to define different pricing for adult, child, senior or student for general or reserved events.

2. Improvements to the Venue Builder options so you can build more complex seating charts with less effort. Remember, with ETS you have complete control over your venue seating charts and there is no charge for setting up multiple charts. Oh yea, did we mention there’s no charge for additional venues either?

3. Improvements on how the system handles pricing for sections, rows and seats for reserved, general admission and combo seating charts. We’re always trying to make complex pricing and discounts flexible and changes easier. Again, you have complete control!

4. Many visual improvements throughout to make using the system easier to use. We’re always trying to make it easier for patrons too. We’ve been told that our system is one of the cleanest and easiest systems to use on the market and we’re always trying to make it better.

5. Refinements to the public and backend seating chart management so you can mouse-over individual seats and see row, seat#, price at a glance. This is extremely handy for patrons and administrators to confirm pricing in a complex seating chart.

6. Ability to sell advance sale tickets before tickets go on sale to the public. Yes, now you can sneak tickets for your buddies behind the scenes before the public has access!

7. We recently moved to upgraded RAID servers in one of the best datacenters in the country and now have full nightly backup on all files and databases as well as 24/7 monitoring of all server functions. We realize that our basic infrastructure is extremely important and we’re positioned to offer one of the best services available.

8. Discount codes and associated reporting. Add as many as you like. Assign codes to your entire venue or to specific events.

9. Barcode scanning at the gates for print-at-home tickets. This has been a long time coming and we’ll be rolling this option out soon.

10. Ability to sell “best available” seating for a reserved seating venue. Why make your patrons work so hard? Simply define your seating chart to assign seats automatically!

11. Ability to define “upsell” items during the purchase like parking, pre-show events, etc. Have you ever thought that a “pre-show wine and dors d’oeuvre” event would be popular? Well, now you can easily add an option like this to your events. Need to sell parking passes for your entire venue? You can get the job done easily with a few clicks.

12. Improvements on reporting. We’re always looking for ways to improve our reporting. If you review the system and have a need we’re always glad to consider adding your requests if they make sense for all our users! We’re always open to your ideas to improve.

13. Need custom, pre-printed tickets? Yes, we can help too. Contact us for more details and pricing.

If you have any comments or suggestions on improvments we would be glad to hear them and consider them for our development schedule in 2009. Please contact us today for access to a demo or a product walk-thru.

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New features (August 2008)

We’ve upgraded and ETS is better than ever. It’s our intention to NEVER stop improving the ETS system and we’ve just released a new round of updates. Below are some of the highlights:

1) Improved reporting. We’re always open to integrating your ideas and needs so we’ve taken your suggestions and improved the reporting functionality and reporting options. In addition to new reports for generating a printable will call list we’ve also included new reporting for individual ticket sellers. The option to print, email and export reports from the system is now available as well.

2) Easily duplicate seating charts. Since our system allows you to have direct control over the customization of your seating charts (down to the individual seat) we’ve realized that it’ll be beneficial to give you control to duplicate seating charts. That way if you put a lot of work into building out one seating chart you can easily duplicate it for another event and make additional changes to pricing, discounts, on hold seats and layout as needed without starting from scratch.

3) Packages and single tickets. Since we just released new options to sell packages we had to put some work into allowing you to sell packages and single events in the same store. It’s all possible now and available with a click of a button.

4) Seat and section management. We’re designing our system to be as flexible as possible so we’ve now improved your ability to customize events with automatically scheduled discounts, on hold seats with scheduling and other functionality that’s customizable by event, section or seat!

5) Improved customizable print-at-home tickets. We’ve realized that it will be beneficial and handy to give you direct control to completely customize your print-at-home tickets for each event yourself. Now with a click of your mouse (and a little creativity) you can completely customize the header, the ticket graphic, the terms and conditions AND we’ve added a large area for you to put sponsorships, directions, future promotions, etc. – all in an effort to give you as much control as possible.

This is just a few of the new features that we have available. If you’d like to get more information about our service please contact us at sales@eventticketingsystems.com

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Questions to ask when choosing an online ticketing service

If you’re researching an online ticketing service you probably have a lot of questions. Here is a quick checklist to help answer some of your top questions!

1. Q. Is the service affordable? A. The ETS system pricing can start at .50 a ticket sold/tracked through our system and will go down from there based on your volume. You simply pass this fee on to your patrons in your ticket price or add on a processing or service fee that you control.

2. Q. Does the system offer a wide variety of delivery options that includes a customizable, print-at-home ticketing option? A. Yes.

3. Q. Can you easily manage sponsorships on your event store and print-at-home tickets? A. Yes.

4. Q. Can the ticketing service handle reserved seating, general admission or a combination of both? A. Yes.

5. Q. Can you manage your venue from initial sign-up, to building out your venue seating chart & seats, to scheduling your event sale dates, down to extensive reporting? A. Yes.

6. Q. Can you put tickets “On Hold” for media or comps and then set a release date for them to be made available to the public? A. Yes.

7. Q. Can you easily discount shows, sections and individual seats? A. Yes.

8. Q. Can your ticketing store be customized to look like your venue website? A. Yes.

9. Q. Is the public and backend user interface classy and intuitive for you and your patrons? A. Yes.

10. Q. Can you offer season ticket packages of different types? A. Yes. Please contact us for current options.

11. Q. Can you accept donations at your venue and customize the text that appears? A. Yes.

12. Q. Can you easily integrate your own merchant account and retain control of your money? Can you use Paypal or offer multiple forms of payment and shipping? A. Yes.

13. Q. Can you sell walk-up sales through this system, process credit cards through the system or sell cash sales? A. Yes.

14. Q. Is the system integrated with a robust email marketing system to collect patron information and email addresses? A. Yes.

15. Q. Can the patron establish an account in the system and see their past purchases, etc.? A. Yes.

16. Q. Is the system hosted in a world class datacenter and monitored 24/7 by professionals, backed up nightly, and secure? A. Yes.

17. Q. Can you manage multiple venues and thousands of shows within one account? A. Yes.

18. Q. Does the system offer robust reporting and exporting of the data? A. Yes.

19. Q. Will the system easily integrate with a ticket printer so we can print our own tickets? A. Yes.

20. Q. Will your service wash my car, brush my dog and play with my children? A. Not currently but we’re always looking for ways to improve our service!

If you have any questions that are not answered here please contact us and expect us to say “yes” or we’ll consider adding your request to our development schedule ASAP!

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The Akron Symphony

We’re proud to announce that The Akron Symphony Orchestra in Akron, Ohio has chosen ETS to handle the sales of their online season ticket packages and single ticket sales for select shows throughout the year.

For nearly 60 years, the Akron Symphony Orchestra has been a driving musical force throughout the Greater Akron area. Widely recognized for musical excellence and performance versatility, it is committed to meeting the needs of its community

The Akron Symphony Orchestra is operated by the Greater Akron Musical Association (GAMA). GAMA is committed to providing quality symphonic an choral music, through performances and educational programs, to the largest number of people possible in the greater Akron area. This mission is realized by operating the Akron Symphony Orchestra, Akron Youth Orchestras, Akron Symphony Chorus, and numerous special outreach and educational programs.

To view their online ticketing store that’s powered by ETS (or better yet), if you’re in the area, get yourself some season tickets! You won’t be disappointed. Click here to view their custom online ticket store.

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Online Ticketing Services

Why an online ticketing service should be a priority for your venue or event

Thank you for considering Event Ticketing Systems by Sanctuary Media Group and taking the exciting first step toward taking your venue and event sales online. Making the move to the web and selling tickets online is a decision that you most certainly won’t regret. There are many reasons why online ticketing will most assuredly streamline your event operations and save you time and money.

Convenience for your patrons:

As you may already know, online shopping is all the rage these days and will probably never trend down. It’s becoming “the way” to shop and compare before making a purchase. People enjoy the convenience of shopping in their slippers and bathrobes while saving time, accessing a massive window of choice, and saving money by comparison shopping. All with just a simple click of the mouse. Online ticketing and box office systems allow you to provide this same convenience to your potential patrons so they can purchase tickets online and have them delivered without ever leaving their seat. Today, patrons demand convenience and online ticketing is another great way that you can give it to them. Read more

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How to choose an online ticketing company

Technology can sometimes be confusing – and honestly – there’s a lot of companies that like to keep a sense of mystery covering their ticketing services so the details and costs can be hidden. Many of these companies make it sound like a simple no-brainer on the surface. The surprises come once you’ve made the commitment to your ticketing system and you find out that what you thought was included is an extra investment, or not even possible. This is the case with a lot of online ticketing companies. You do your best to scour their websites as you research features and costs but in the end you find yourself confused and searching for answers.

In an effort to help you choose an online ticketing company we’ve begun this series of articles to help guide you so you can have a nice checklist of items to consider when choosing ticketing software. We’ll help you think through the process and show you the options available so you can make the best decision possible. Even if our company does not offer the solution that you’re seeking, we’ll try to tell you what’s possible, what’s new and what’s hip in the online ticketing world. Read more

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Ticketing FAQ

Why should I choose ETS over other companies?

Event Ticket Systems (Sanctuary Media Group) is a small, family owned business so you can be assured that you’ll get fast support and you’ll know the name of the person you’re calling or emailing if you need support or have a question. Our system features rival those of the larger, more expensive companies but our costs are much lower because we strive to reduce overhead and focus on running the best, web-based ticketing and fulfillment system available. ETS is a division of Sanctuary Media Group, Inc. and we have a long history of developing web-based applications and websites so we have the knowledge and experience necessary to get the job done right. Our goal at ETS is to design our system to put you in control. Once you sign-up, the system is completely customizable and available at your fingertips. There is no waiting to configure your account, setup your venue, setup events or to customize your seating, pricing or seating charts. Everything is available to you so you’re in control. Read more

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Ticketing Software Features and Services

At Event Ticketing Systems we’re always working to improve and expand our ticketing software features. Below is a short list of current features and services. If you have a question or you don’t see a feature that you’re looking for, please ask. There’s a good chance we’re already working on it or we’ll consider building it as a custom request! Read more

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