Klaus-Peter Schulenberg, CEO of Europe's largest ticket seller CTS Eventim, says the company plans further expansion in the coming year:

“Half of our net income, we give out to our shareholders and we plan further acquisitions in the current year. This cushion gives us freedom of enterprise. We are not dependent on banks, if we want to buy companies. But it’s more important that we balance the spread sheet beyond any doubt. We manage more than three billion euros from events, with that one should be financially healthy.”

Interviewed today in Germany’s online publication Tagesspeigell,  Schulenberg also spoke of Eventim’s plans for Berlin’s distinctive Tempodrom venue which the company acquired earlier this year:

“The Tempodrom is both a high-class live entertainment venue and suitable for award ceremonies, corporate events and more. I see the Tempodrom with its 3,500 capacity as a competitor for the Philharmonic – for concerts for which the Philharmonic is too small.”

But speaking of artists 360 degree contracts,  made famous by Eventim’s main competitor in the ticketing and event business, Live Nation Entertainment, Schulenberg is critical:

“There are record companies that have built up proper management and early on try to tie in the artist to everything from the marketing of the CD to the merchandising. But I give these 360-degree contracts, no future. The music companies lack the know-how, just as, conversely, the tour organiser understands little about music recording.”

Unlike Live Nation Entertainment, Eventim does not have an artists management company but both have heavily invested in venues, although Schulenberg states that these are not the most profitable side of the business. Before  interest and taxes, Eventim makes around €22 million from the live entertainment sector but more than double that comes from the company’s lucrative ticketing outfit which Schulenberg believes still has capacity for growth:  

“In online ticket sales, we earn seven times more than at the counter. We believe that online sales can still grow significantly. That is why we are investing here and have built up an extensive infrastructure.”

Schulenberg started in the industry in 1971 when he managed Paul McCartney & Wings while studying for an MBA in Business Administration and Law. In 1974 he founded his first concert agency. He became CEO of CTS Eventim  in 1996.