Oct. 26, 2015
Company Profile
AXS I Veritix provides full event lifecycle solutions and fan insights to simplify the complicated and make live experiences more fun.
We empower venues, teams, artists and fans with the best technology solutions and the richest insights for the entire event experience and provide the only full fan-lifecycle platform – from discovery, to purchasing, to both at-event and post-event solutions – that make data actionable and drive fan engagement and loyalty.
- Describe why you chose to sponsor such a new association?
For nearly 10 years, Veritix has served the collegiate community with innovative ticketing solutions and insights that drive the fan experience forward. In early June, AXS and Veritix merged to create the live entertainment industry’s ultimate events platform. Together, we remain dedicated to meeting the unique needs and challenges of college athletics leaders, and partnering with NAATSO presented our organization with an exciting opportunity to connect with them.
- What innovative practices is your company doing to help advance the industry?
Our combined entity provides professional teams, venues and colleges with the best technology and services needed to engage fans beyond ticketing through every single stage of the event lifecycle. In addition to industry-leading season ticket management solutions and Flash Seats® digital, ID-based ticketing technology, our clients now have access to easy-to-use marketing tools and a powerful marketing database. As a result, they are able to build and deliver a personalized experience that delights their fans.
- How do you see the ticketing environment changing in the near future?
With more than half of the American population owning a smartphone, consumers are discovering and purchasing event tickets through their mobile devices more than ever before. To stay relevant and activate their fans, college athletic departments need to adopt an end-to-end mobile experience for all stages of the event lifecycle. This is especially true as the millennial population’s influence continues to grow. Schools need to adapt their strategies to millennials’ habits and preferences, and mobile needs to be at the top of the list.
- What challenges do you see for ticket sales and operations due to the changing landscape of intercollegiate athletics?
I believe that biggest opportunity facing college athletics leaders is the centralization of customer data. To engage their dynamic audience (season ticket holders, alumni, students, etc.), schools need to create comprehensive consumer profiles that are inclusive of multiple touch points, including ticket purchase history, donations, merchandise sales, user satisfaction data and more. Not only does having this information in a single location help athletic departments operate more efficiently, but it also enables them to communicate with fans faster and smarter.
- What is the best advice you have ever received?
It doesn’t matter how many times you make mistakes, that’s part of life. What matters is how you learn from them.
- What is your favorite college tradition/rivalry?
UNC vs. Duke hoops never disappoints
- Where is your favorite city in the world?
It is more of a village than a city, but Taos, NM. My wife and I were married there, and it’s a magical place. Austin, TX is a close second.
- What is your most vivid sports memory?
My most vivid sports memory is a personal on-field experience from a long time ago. At the age of 14, I was fortunate enough to play in a weeklong international soccer tournament in Scotland called the Aberdeen International Football Festival. The tournament was comprised of football teams from all over the world – Zimbabwe, Iceland, Estonia, Australia, etc. The matches were great – we won some and lost some – but spending time with the players from opposing teams and learning about their diverse backgrounds and cultures was formative for me.
- What did you want to be when you were a kid?
Evel Knievel – the Hot Wheels version.
- What is your favorite meal of the day?
Breakfast
