November 03, 2009

By By Robert Thompson, Toronto

MapleCore Ltd., which operates the Toronto-based MapleMusic label and Fontana North distributor, has acquired full-service ticketing company TicketBreak Corp.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Toronto-based TicketBreak has a client roster that includes the Barrie Colts hockey team and the Elvis Festival in Collingwood, Ontario.

?Adding TicketBreak to the MapleCore family of companies is a logical evolution of our business model,? MapleCore chief executive and founder Grant Dexter said in a statement. ?The MapleCore approach of using innovative technology to help artists succeed within the new reality of the music industry has brought us great success. We are now taking the concept even further, offering artists the tools to manage all aspects of their brand, from music and merchandise sales to event promotion and ticketing.?

According to MapleMusic -- which has a roster of more than 800 Canadian artists and provides e-commerce solutions through its MapleMusic.com Web site -- the acquisition allows its acts to offer ticketing for specific shows, as well as providing special ticket packages.

?With the TicketBreak technology powering MapleMusic.com, we will be at the forefront of artist-to-fan transactions,? MapleMusic.com GM Tara Luft says.

TicketBreak will continue to operate a separate site, as well as integrate with MapleMusic.com.

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