Tickets.ie beefs up headcount in bid to tackle touting problem

Repro Free. Thursday 17th November 2016. Picture Jason Clarke

Michael Cogley

Ticket retailer Tickets.ie is to add 20 new high-tech roles to develop a new streamlined product that will help fans get fair access to the market and tackle touting.

The company is hiring software developers, and managers in its sales, marketing and operations divisions. The €1.5m project, which will run over the next year, us supported by the Enterprise Ireland Research and Development fund.

Tickets.ie chief executive John O'Neill said the project is already underway.

“Our observation is that many people who go to entertainment events feel the time is right for a change and this revolutionary product will radically improve how ticketing is setup and run.

"The grant funding is a very strong vote of confidence from Enterprise Ireland in both the product and our ability to deliver the product, making it a commercial success. This vote of confidence is hugely important to us," he said.

The firm, which was founded in 2004, has partnered with Microsoft to provide technology and servicing, including hosting of the product on its high capacity Azure cloud platform.

Minister of State for skills, training and innovation John Halligan welcomed the new roles.

"I want to ensure that companies like Tickets.ie are continued to be supported through funding, mentoring and advice.  This new progressive and innovative system of how tickets are sold will make for a very bright future for the company."