Like most music industry professions, compensation depends on the level of success possessed by the artist the promoter works with, location, and what a given market will bear.
Additionally, in-depth knowledge of their operating market and audience characteristics are critical success factors for any tour promoter.
[1] The rise of large corporation mega-promoters over the past ten years has made it much more difficult for aspiring tour promoters to break into the industry.
Live Nation (previously known as Clear Channel Entertainment) is the number one concert promoter in the world according to figures released by Pollstar Magazine in 2006.
On July 5, 2006, Live Nation purchased HOB Entertainment for $350 million, further expanding their market share in the live-music business.
[2] Some fans have complained to government officials, particularly after they found tickets to the same concerts or sporting events available – sometimes at many times the face value – on secondary sellers like Stubhub.com and TicketsNow minutes after the public sale began.
[3] On December 21, 2007, Live Nation announced it would acquire the software and services to ramp up its ticket-selling operation, potentially positioning the company to compete directly with its longtime contractor, Ticketmaster.
Billboard Magazine published articles dating back to the early-mid nineties urging artists and agents to take advantage of the college market.