Executive in Residence Fred Maglione, knows to always think one step ahead of competitors. On March 31, 2009, the School of Tourism and Hospitality Management (STHM) welcomed Maglione, president and CEO of New Era Tickets, to provide his business advice to a class of Sport and Recreation Management majors who will soon be entering the same competitive industry.

Maglione heads New Era Tickets, a company owned by Comcast-Spectacor, based out of Exton, Pa. The company provides full-service ticketing and database marketing solutions for sports organizations, entertainment companies and a variety of other clients that extend nationally and internationally.

In Philadelphia, New Era Tickets services the Wachovia Complex, Temple University’s Liacouras Center, Helium Comedy Club, the Philadelphia 76ers, Flyers, Phantoms, Soul, Kixx and much more. Although the business is only six years old, New Era annually handles 11-12 million tickets, which equates into $400-450 million in business transactions. The company also provides internship opportunities to STHM students.

Maglione explained to students the importance of technology and innovation when developing an idea. “You have to keep reengineering your business to fit the times,” he explained. With Maglione’s help, New Era Tickets started using a technologically advanced online ticketing system, even before its main competitor, Ticket Master, had thought to do so.

Today, unlike other online ticketing companies, New Era Tickets provides a more personal experience by giving control back to the clients and allowing them to determine convenience fees, as well as control the brand name and customer data.

Providing more about his own background, Maglione stressed the importance of taking risks and being able to positively exploit networks and learning opportunities.

While studying at St. Joseph’s University, he sold tickets for the Philadelphia Phillies and the Walnut Street Theater before getting a managerial job at the 76ers box office, which involved advertising, promotions and administering inventory. When his job at Comcast-Spectacor headed in the direction of online ticketing, suddenly Maglione was pitching ideas to global clients in Malaysia and Australia and big corporations like IBM and Microsoft.

“You should always strive for more,” Maglione advised, “And the things you learn and experience today, even the failures, will impact your future personal life and business life.”

Maglione opened up to a question and answer period with students, many of whom had questions about the industry, entrepreneurship and the state of the economy.

Although New Era Tickets has not experienced a noticeable loss in the recession, they are constantly thinking ahead to compete with others. “We’re trying to become more aggressive as marketers,” explained Maglione. “Because the consumer has changed.” New Era Tickets recently tapped into social media outlets like Twitter and Facebook to gain a larger client base and offers package deals to retain season ticket holders year after year.

Greg DeShields, senior director of corporate relations for STHM, concluded by presenting Maglione with a certificate of appreciation, a gift bag and a poster of the event, signed by everyone in the class. “You as students should be engaged and exposed to those who are navigating through the storm of the economy,” said DeShields, reiterating Maglione’s economic advice.

Senior Sport and Recreation Management major, Kenyatta McKinney, enjoyed the presentation. “I found the Q&A session to be most valuable,” said McKinney. “He provided a lot of educational feedback and advice for starting a business.”

“It’s truly a business that’s always touching the spectator,” concluded Maglione. “Not to mention that it’s incredibly fun and different because it’s changing every day.”