IRVINE, CA and PITTSBURGH, PA--(Marketwire - Nov 2, 2012) - Paciolan, the leading provider of ticketing, marketing and fundraising solutions in college athletics, today announced that the University of Pittsburgh (Pitt) has renewed its partnership with the company. Pitt will continue using Paciolan's core ticketing and fundraising technologies, and will also implement Paciolan's Customer Relationship Management (CRM) solution, Access scanning system, and email marketing solution, as well as leverage the company's partnership with StubHub to accommodate secondary ticket sales. Pitt has been working with Paciolan since 1991.
"We are pleased to continue our long-standing partnership with Paciolan to expand our efforts, offer new services and elevate the fan experience," said Steve Pederson, athletic director, University of Pittsburgh. "We value the exceptional and comprehensive support received from both Paciolan and StubHub to offer a completely integrated and expansive ticket resale platform to Pitt fans."
To achieve success with ticket resale, Pitt began working with secondary ticketing marketplace provider StubHub this fall, via Paciolan's strategic partnership. The integration allows season ticket holders the opportunity to resell unused tickets on the secondary market, and provides buyers the ability to get great seats along with the ability to print and receive tickets instantly at home. The process is simple, fast and delivers incremental value to both Panthers fans and Pitt Athletics.
Additionally, Pitt recently integrated Paciolan's Access Management and Access scanning solutions at Petersen Events Center, home to the Panthers' men's and women's basketball teams. The system will enable Panthers fans to bypass will call into Pitt's venues using print-at-home tickets. The Access Management solution allows university staff to track attendance and catch fraudulent tickets at the entrance, while it enables them to tailor marketing and retention programs.
In 2012, Pitt increased online season renewals by more than 10 percent year over year with the use of Paciolan's robust ticketing platform. The university has also pushed online single-ticket purchases and transactions with enhanced digital technology. For 11 consecutive years since its opening in 2002, Pitt has sold out men's basketball at the 12,508-capacity Petersen Events Center, with every season ticket holder being an active contributor to the Panther Club Athletic Scholarship Fund, the official fundraising program for Pitt Athletics.
Pitt will implement Paciolan's CRM solution which allows it to enhance its ticket sales efforts and efficiently manage relationships with Panthers' season ticket holders and donors. The university is also able to accurately capture every interaction with fans and enhance its communications process to provide personalized services for its fans.
"Every decision we've made for additional services and products has come with Panthers fans in mind," said Chris Ferris, associate athletic director, external relations, University of Pittsburgh. "Paciolan has been a tremendous partner that has provided us with the best services possible and in turn enables us to offer exceptional customer service to our fans."
Pitt has also been able to enhance its communications with their season ticket holders and fans using Paciolan's PACmail email marketing solution. The system allows Pitt staff to pull data from its customer database and send customized marketing letters to Panther fans and supporters to promote and create awareness of upcoming games and fundraising events.
"Paciolan's PACmail solution offers services that fuel our outbound sales program and provides fantastic touch points with fans throughout the entire process," said Justin Acierno, director of marketing and ticket operations, University of Pittsburgh. "By employing its elements and allowing us to fully leverage marketing efforts, it has created an effortless transition to segment lists targeted to certain groups or tailor specific messages to our ticketholders and supporters."
"We are ecstatic to extend our partnership of 20-plus years with an institution like the University of Pittsburgh," said Dave Butler, chief executive officer of Paciolan. "They continue to push the envelope with initiatives to ensure Panther fans receive the best solutions and services with their continuous objective to be a forward-thinking university."
About Paciolan
Founded in 1980, Paciolan is the leader in venue enablement, powering ticketing, fundraising and marketing technology solutions for leading organizations across North America. Collectively, Paciolan powers over 500 live entertainment organizations that sell over 100 million tickets annually. Primary markets include college athletics, professional sports, performing arts, arenas and museums. Paciolan is a wholly owned subsidiary of Comcast-Spectacor.
Visit www.paciolan.com for additional company information.