TicketBreak joins the growing family of MapleCore companies

Putting more control in the hands of artists, promoters and venue owners

TORONTO , Nov. 3 /CNW/ - Canada's premiere music services company, MapleCore Ltd., today announces the acquisition of the assets of TicketBreak Corp., Canada's fastest growing full-service ticketing company, to form TicketBreak Ltd. The acquisition brings MapleCore Ltd., already comprised of ecommerce site MapleMusic.com, award-winning record labels MapleMusic Recordings and Open Road Recordings, and award-winning music distributor Fontana North, one step closer to achieving its vision for becoming Canada's leader in developing and supporting artist development.

"Adding TicketBreak to the MapleCore family of companies is a logical evolution of our business model," says MapleCore president and CEO Grant Dexter . "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."

MapleMusic.com, home to more than 800 Canadian artists, provides ecommerce solutions for artists. "As the music industry has evolved, our clients have come to us looking to expand their product offers into the ticketing arena, whether it be Loreena McKennitt promoting her own hometown shows or Colin James reserving premium seats for VIP packages. With the TicketBreak technology powering MapleMusic.com, we will be at the forefront of artist-to-fan transactions," explains MapleMusic.com's General Manager Tara Luft .

While ticket sales in Canada for live music events have been estimated at approximately $700 million annually, the broader entertainment market is estimated at $2.5 billion . TicketBreak will build on its impressive client roster, which includes the OHL's Barrie Colts and Collingwood's famous Elvis Festival, and continue its aggressive expansion across the full range of ticketed events.

"TicketBreak is designed to put control in the hands of event-planners, promoters, and venue owners, empowering them to connect with their audience under a single, dynamic technology platform," says TicketBreak president John Derlis. "Joining forces with MapleCore, with its extensive infrastructure and excellent relationships, will position us to be one of the top ticketing and marketing solutions companies in the world."

TicketBreak will continue to operate a separate site, and will seamlessly integrate with MapleMusic.com's existing technology. The marriage of the two sites will create a world in which a ticket purchase can be the gateway to a host of additional items, from event merchandise to concessions coupons to VIP experiences, all offered in a single transaction.

"The rapid infusion of technology into all aspects of the music industry has prepared us for the amazing opportunities in front of John and his team at TicketBreak, and we look forward to assisting them in their continued rapid growth," says Dexter.

About TicketBreak: TicketBreak is an alliance of marketing and leading edge IT professionals who designed the TicketBreak System from the perspective of an Event Producer, Venue Owner, and/or Performer. TicketBreak's mission is to provide Ticket Buyers and Ticket Sellers with a long overdue ticketing solution that provides event goers (ticket buyers) cost saving, access and convenience while providing event owners (ticket sellers) with dynamic tools they need to succeed - Event ticket sales and distribution through multiple channels, industry-leading security features, promotional tracking, database cultivation and the constant buzz of brand-building exposure on hundreds of websites, including your own, and event boards across the globe.

About MapleCore Ltd.: MapleCore Ltd. was founded in 1999 with the launch of ecommerce service MapleMusic.com. Today, MapleCore consists of award-winning record labels MapleMusic Recordings, Open Road Recordings and award-winning distribution company Fontana North. In 2008 Fontana North announced a strategic relationship with Sonic Unyon Distribution. MapleCore is home to design and IT provider Maplesolutions, independent imprint Pheromone Recordings and youth and music marketing specialty service New Prey.

For further information: Stacy O'Rourke, [phone] ext. 239, [email protected]