Knitting Factory Entertainment, who own venues in both New York and Los Angeles, has launched the first ticketing-by-text system, allowing concert-goers to purchase tickets via SMS text messaging, directly from their mobile phone. The service is available now for both coast's venues, with plans to expand service to its Boise and Spokane locations in the next few months. "The times you are most likely to want to buy a ticket are often the times you are least likely to have full Internet access—in a venue scanning the upcoming show listings... seeing a flyer or poster," says Jared Hoffman, president and CEO of Knitting Factory Entertainment. "It's not just the concert industry, the whole nature of commerce is changing—people want it now, they want it fast—and the device that can make that all possible is the mobile phone." Powered by ShopText mobile, the system works like this: See a flyer or poster with the ShopText logo, text the event's code number to 467467, enter your credit card number, receive a unique PIN (for future purchases) and enjoy the show. You can also first register and screate an account at shoptext.com for a quicker initial sign-up. All transactions are guaranteed security. "Everyone can use this," Hoffman says. "This is not limited to special mobile phones with integrated digital wallet technology, or displays capable of generating scannable bar-codes. Those are all coming down the pike. But the only piece that works reliably, right here, right now, at least in the US, is text messaging." www.knittingfactory.com
