Ticketmaster has partnered with Samsung for concert discovery and ticket sales via the latter’s voice-activated virtual assistant, Bixby.

The integration – the latest in a long line of Ticketmaster partnerships with third-party apps, including Facebook, Spotify, YouTube and Bandsintown – will, using Ticketmaster’s API, allow Samsung Galaxy Note 9 users for events by artist, sports team, location or event dates: for example,“Hi, Bixby, find concert tickets in Los Angeles”, or “Hi, Bixby, what sporting events are happening in New York this weekend?”.

From the results returned, fans can choose a show or sports match and purchase tickets. The service is now live in North America, initially only on the new Note 9.

“By opening our platform over the past several years, Ticketmaster has greatly expanded our inventory’s reach”

“Ticketmaster is constantly looking for new ways to make it easy for fans to discover events and buy tickets, and voice is an exciting technology,” says Jared Smith, president of Ticketmaster. “By opening our platform over the past several years, Ticketmaster has greatly expanded our inventory’s reach, and we’ve built a best-in-class list of third-party partners.

“Bixby offers yet another avenue for fans to tap into the largest selection of live events available. We’re excited about this partnership with Samsung because fans will see a personalised experience based on the artists, teams and events that they love the most.”

Get more stories like this in your inbox by signing up for IQ Index, IQ’s free email digest of essential live music industry news.

Pogoseat, a US start-up which provides access to last-minute tickets via text message, has agreed a partnership with Ticketmaster in the UK and Europe.

The agreement will see LA-based Pogoseat utilise Ticketmaster’s APIs to reach more fans and provide additional venues, sports teams and event promoters with another avenue to sell tickets. Those who want to use the service sign up to receive SMS alerts – then, when tickets become available, a text message is sent and fans can reply with the quantity of tickets and location they want. The tickets are delivered via a link in a text message, with various fulfilment methods available.

“This partnership with Ticketmaster allows Pogoseat to access new clients across the entire European region”

Pogoseat CEO Kiran Patel says: “This partnership with Ticketmaster allows Pogoseat to access new clients across the entire European region. We are excited to be working with the biggest ticketing company in the world, providing a new marketing channel to sell tickets for their clients.

“Both brands are aligned in offering the easiest and most fan-riendly experiences when purchasing tickets, making this a perfect partnership.”

Pogoseat has raised more than US$3m in seed, series-A and venture funding since its founding in 2012, from investors including Structure Capital, BluePointe Ventures and TYLT Ventures.

Get more stories like this in your inbox by signing up for IQ Index, IQ’s free email digest of essential live music industry news.