I guess Americans are doing more than escaping into the movie theater. Despite the crappy economy, music lovers are planning on soaking up some sunshine and hanging out with their favorite bands this spring/summer.
Coachella attendance over the weekend was strong and the promoters are pleased – as they should be. It’s hairy out there these days. I find the addition of the “layaway payment” option for concert-goers a pitch perfect solution for the times. I think other marketers should consider adding this as a customer service / retention plan.
According to the New York Times today
Though promoters around the country report strong early ticket sales for festivals and summer tours, the recession is causing jitters.
Advance ticket sales for Lollapalooza, scheduled for Aug. 7 to 9, began three weeks ago without any confirmed lineup and were strong, said Charles Attal of C3 Presents, the promoter. But he added that corporate sponsorship money — crucial to keeping ticket prices down — is becoming harder to secure.
Three-day passes for Lollapalooza begin at $190 and will go higher as the event approaches. Coachella’s weekend tickets went for $269. Bonnaroo, running June 11 to 14, is $249.50.
Festival promoters hope that two concert-industry truisms hold for the summer. First, that at a time when the average ticket price for a major touring act is nearly $67, fans will be attracted to the value of 100-plus acts for four or so times that amount; and second, that the lure of a blue-chip headliner will be enough to overcome customers’ frugality.
This year Coachella, which has the most glamorous reputation of all American festivals, began selling tickets on layaway, and 18 percent of its customers took that option. Bonaroo is also allowing layaway purchases.
At Coachella, many fans said they were feeling the economic pinch but had made sacrifices elsewhere in their budgets specifically to attend the festival.
On a more depressing note, I also read this story today about consumers putting off doctor’s visits and other personal medical needs.
Twenty percent of Americans say they have delayed or postponed medical care, mostly doctor visits, and many said cost was the main reason, according to a survey by Thomson Reuters released on Monday.
That figure is up since 2006, the last time the question was asked on the survey, when 15.9 percent of people said they had postponed or canceled medical care in the past year.
Here’s a crazy idea…maybe an insurance company could behave more like a concert promoter?? Ha ha ha, now I’m doing my evil Count Chocula laugh.
The cereal my parents would never buy for me
Born Curious 
Look at this I just found….and the health care industry wonders why consumers think so poorly of them.
Many hospitals are starting to ask patients for their money up front instead of billing them. For Pennsylvania’s Abington Memorial Hospital, the effort is paying off. In early 2008, Abington collected 4% of copayments and deductibles from patients while they were in the hospital. It has received 20% so far this year.
PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER | 4.7.09