Concert Booking Company Wins Web Idea Competition

Ryan Wilson and Brian Henderson accept the first place award.PROVO, Utah – Jan 12, 2009 – Many fans eagerly wait for their favorite artist to announce their next tour, only to be disappointed when no local venues are announced. Two BYU MBA students have come up with an idea to get tickets into the hands of loyal fans.

Brian Henderson, a first-year MBA student from Holladay, Utah, and Ryan Wilson, a first-year MBA student from Reno, Nevada, were awarded first place at the Web Business Idea Competition for their online concert booking idea, FanFare.com. Henderson conceived the idea for FanFare three years ago when he worked in the music industry booking shows for big name artists.  

"I was frustrated with putting on concerts and not having fans show up," Henderson says. "With FanFare that problem would be eliminated."

Their Web site will allow people to vote for bands they would like to perform in their area. Registered users are asked to pay a refundable percentage of the ticket price up front. If enough people are interested, Web site administrators will book the artist. With this system there is a guaranteed profit for each concert.

"FanFare disrupts the existing concert promotions infrastructure," says John Richards, eBusiness Center managing director. "It is a big idea that, if successful, could create a new economy in the entertainment industry."

In addition to winning the first place award of $3,000, Henderson and Wilson also won an additional $400 by receiving the audience choice and biggest fan support awards.

Second place and $2,000 were awarded to Sterling Beck, a senior in information technology from Provo, Utah. His business idea is a Web-based inn management software program called InstantInn. The software is designed to create a simple way for inn owners with limited computer skills to manage online reservations.

Placing third and receiving $1,000 was Owen Merkling, a senior in computer science from Lakewood, Colo., with his business idea Cut to Fit, an online database of customizable clothing patterns. Cut to Fit would offer customers a large number of patterns available in any size needed.

The three finalists were chosen out of 125 entries based on the viability of their ideas. One of the major goals of WEBIC is to turn good ideas into productive online businesses. Competition judges believe that each of the finalists has the potential to become a successful online company.      

"WEBIC is attempting to create revolutionary and disruptive online businesses," Richards says.  "There are many top technology leaders who believe the next great Web business could be developed at BYU."

The Marriott School is located at Brigham Young University, the largest privately owned, church-sponsored university in the United States. The school has nationally recognized programs in accounting, business management, public management, information systems and entrepreneurship. The school's mission is to prepare men and women of faith, character and professional ability for positions of leadership throughout the world. Approximately 3,000 students are enrolled in the Marriott School's graduate and undergraduate programs.