Major’s Vicha Poolvaraluck, right, and Brian L Marcar of BEC-Tero Entertainment announce their new joint venture, Thaiticketmajor, at a press conference yesterday.

Major Cineplex Group and BEC-Tero Entertain-ment yesterday announced the merger of their wholly owned ticketing subsidiaries to create a new company which will dominate the country's ticketing service.

Under the deal, Major Cineplex's Major Online and BEC-Tero's Thaiticketmaster will be merged as Thaiticket- major.

The merger gives significant synergy to the two dominant players in the sector. Major Cineplex Group currently controls 75 per cent of the local cinema market, while BEC-Tero is a key player both for event organising and import of shows and concerts. Its Thaiticket-master controls 75-80 per cent of local ticketing services and an almost 90 per cent share in ticketing services for local and international concerts.

Vicha Poolvaraluck, chairman of Major Cineplex Group, said the company has invested more than Bt30 million for the new arrangement. Under the new deal, Major Cineplex will own 40 per cent of the merged entity while the remaining stake is owned by BEC-Tero.

"We [Major Cineplex Group] have locations, assets and service staff, while Thaitcketmaster is a major provider of ticketing services. The merger between the two will create a full synergy so that individual consumers will be benefited the most in being able to buy tickets at more convenient locations," said Vicha, adding the new company was expected to reach the break-even point within four years.

Vicha said the group expected to sell tickets for local and international films through the Thaiticket major network, particularly for special pre-screened movies that are shown in theatres two to three weeks before general release.

Major Cineplex Group currently has theatres in 35 locations in Bangkok and upcountry. Thaiticketmaster has ticketing outlets at Central Lat Phrao, Central Chidlom, B2S at CentralWorld, Central Pinklao, Central Bang Na, Central Rangsit and Muangthai Ratchadalai and Big C Hua Mark.

The merger will allow Thai- ticketmajor to expand its service outlets rapidly through Major Cineplex's locations, starting from the middle of this month at Major Ratchayothin and Paragon Cineplex.

Brian L Marcar, managing director of BEC-Tero Enter-tainment, said the merger would be the opening chapter of a long-term partnership between the two companies. Other new projects include an exhibition and concert hall in Bangkok, which will be completed in the next two years.

Marcar, who is also managing director of the new Thai- ticketmajor, said that Thai-ticketmaster sold 1.5 million tickets last year and achieved total sales of about Bt1 billion.

Kwanchai  Rungfapaisarn

The Nation