Procedures

• SET UP:

  This lesson offers several options for you to use with your students whether you are teaching in class, using a hybrid model, or engaging through distance learning. It can be completed in steps as a class, as a jigsaw activity, or students can move at their own pace and complete the activities independently.

  You can post links to the videos in the lesson along with the related handouts and engage in discussion to share responses on a discussion board or learning management system.

  You can also save and share the following Google resources for students to use with this lesson.

  HANDOUT: Vocabulary Chart (Google Doc)

  HANDOUT: Graphic Organizer (Google Doc)

  In Google, choose "File" then "Make a Copy" to get your own copy. You can make any needed adjustments in the instructions such as which activities students need to complete, when it is due, etc. and then make it available to them via Google.

• WARM-UP:

  Prior to beginning this lesson, students can review the vocabulary terms, look up the definitions of those words they are not familiar with, and note the definitions on the related handout.

  Next, engage in a class discussion on live entertainment events (concerts, music festivals, sporting events, etc.). Consider using the questions below to guide discussion. Students can note their responses on the graphic organizer and then share their experiences with the class.

  • Which live entertainment events have you attended?
  • At which venues have you attended live events?
  • From whom did you buy your tickets?
  • What was the cost?
  • Did you purchase the tickets online?
  • Did you transfer them through an App to others who were attending the event with you?
  • Have you sold tickets to an event and transferred them to the buyer?

• INTRODUCTION:

  To provide background information on the topic, have students view the following three video clips. They can take notes and respond to the accompanying questions on their graphic organizer and be prepared to share their findings with the class. Alternatively, you can divide the videos among the students to create three groups, have the group members watch their assigned video, discuss their findings among themselves, and then share what was discussed with the class to provide multiple perspectives on the topic.

  Video Clip 1: Live Entertainment Ticket Sales (1:31)

  Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) comments on the circumstances surrounding the purchasing of tickets for live entertainment and the issues surrounding the merger between Ticketmaster and Live Nation.

  • Describe Sen. Durbin's concerns regarding Live Nation and Ticketmaster.

  • Explain the purpose of the consent decree that was put in place in 2010.

  • Was it effective? Explain.

• Video Clip 2: Antitrust Policy and Live Entertainment Events (3:43)

  Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) remarked on antitrust policy related to Ticketmaster and Live Nation and how the challenges that are present in the industry should be addressed.

  • What did the consent decree that was put in place by the Justice Department in 2010 address?

  • According to Sen. Lee, what should Congress consider with regard to the issues surrounding Live Nation and Ticketmaster?

• Video Clip 3: Equity in Live Entertainment (2:54)

  Sen. Klobuchar (D-MN) talked about ticket sales for live entertainment events and competition among venues.

  • Explain the issues Sen. Klobuchar discussed regarding the live entertainment industry.

  • What are the three purposes of the hearing that she outlined?

• EXPLORATION OF INDUSTRY REPRESENTATIVES:

  Have students view the following three video clips to hear the perspectives of people who are in the live event industry. They can take notes and respond to the accompanying questions on their graphic organizer and be prepared to share their findings with the class. Alternatively, you can divide the videos among the students to create three groups, have the group members watch their assigned video, discuss their findings among themselves, and then share what was discussed with the class to provide multiple perspectives on the topic.

  Video Clip 4: Live Nation Joe Berchtold Testimony (5:23)

  Live Nation Entertainment President and Chief Financial Officer Joe Berchtold offered testimony on the ticket market for live events, competition, lessons learned as a result of the Taylor Swift concert debacle, and possible solutions to the problems in the industry.

  • Explain the mission of Live Nation as Mr. Berchtold described.

  • How have they grown since their merger with Ticketmaster in 2010?

  • According to Mr. Berchtold, what do "primary ticketing platforms do and don't do?"

  • Describe current ticketing markets as Mr. Berchtold discussed.

  • Explain his reasoning for the ticket sale debacle for Taylor Swift's tour.

  • What lessons were learned from this experience?

• Video Clip 5: SeatGeek CEO Jack Groetzinger Testimony (4:28)

  SeatGeek CEO Jack Groetzinger offered testimony on the issues associated with the live entertainment industry including ticketing, competition, and equity.

  • Explain the mission of SeatGeek as Mr. Groetinger described.

  • According to Mr. Groetzinger, what are three issues found in the live entertainment industry?

  • Explain the origin of SeatGeek and how it has evolved over time.

  • What are some of the ongoing challenges this industry is facing, according to Mr. Groetzinger?

  • What remedy does he propose for addressing the challenges?

• Video Clip 6: Jam Productions Jerry Mickelson Testimony (4:59)

  Jam Productions CEO and President Jerry Mickelson offered testimony on the live entertainment industry, including the job of promoters, ticketing, venues, and the problems found within the system.

  • Explain the job of promoters as Mr. Mickelson described.

  • Explain his perspective on the 2010 merger between Live Nation and Ticketmaster and how it impacted Jam Productions.

  • Explain the two antitrust decisions that Mr. Mickelson highlighted as having restricted competition and how it relates to the live entertainment industry today.

• EXPLORATION OF POLICY AND ARTIST VIEWPOINTS:

  Ask students to watch the following three video clips to gain additional viewpoints on ticketing, fees, and antitrust issues. They can take notes and respond to the accompanying questions on their graphic organizer and be prepared to share their findings with the class. Alternatively, you can divide the videos among the students to create three groups, have the group members watch their assigned video, discuss their findings among themselves, and then share what was discussed with the class.

  Video Clip 7: James Madison Institute Sal Nuzzo Testimony (4:26)

  James Madison Institute Senior Vice President Sal Nuzzo offers perspective on live entertainment events including ticket sales and competition among companies in the industry.

  • Explain the analogy Mr. Nuzzo discussed between the purchasing of his vehicle and its manufacturer, and a consumer's purchase of a ticket to a live event such as in sports or music.

  • Considering the consumer welfare standard, how does Mr. Nuzzo describe the perspective of the dominant player in the ticketing market?

  • How does he describe the impact of the lack of competition over time?

• Video Clip 8: American Antitrust Institute Kathleen Bradesh Testimony (4:40)

  American Antitrust Institute Legal Advocacy Vice President Kathleen Bradesh offered testimony on antitrust issues related to the live entertainment industry.

  • How does Ms. Bradesh describe the current state of competition in live entertainment and its impact on consumers, artists and other vendors in the industry?

  • How does she describe the effectiveness of the 2010 consent decree?

  • What recommendations does she suggest for the Department of Justice?

  • According to Ms. Bradesh, what actions does the American Antitrust Institute urge enforcers and lawmakers to consider?

• Video Clip 9: Musician Clyde Lawrence Testimony (5:31)

  New York City Musician Clyde Lawrence offered the perspective of an artist regarding ticketing and additional fees as well as profits and expenses.

  • Describe the background of Clyde Lawrence's band. Explain some of the issues the band has encountered in their experiences.

  • How have these issues impacted the band's earnings and expenses?

  • How does Mr. Lawrence describe the band's view of Live Nation?

  • What questions does the band have regarding the state of the industry?

• CONCLUSION:

  Have students view the following video clip. Then as a class, discuss the significance of competition in the live entertainment industry.

  Video Clip 10: Significance of Competition (0:46)

  Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) talked about the importance of competition in the marketplace and the impact on consumers.

• REFLECTION:

  Ask students to consider what they learned through viewing the videos in this lesson and class discussion and respond to the following prompt:

  Consider the topics of competition, ticketing, and antitrust issues that were presented in this hearing. Which area do you think should be addressed in the future and what solutions would you propose?

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