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Ovation, a division of Ticketek delivering data-led marketing and technology solutions for the live entertainment and sports industries, has officially joined as CAST’s (Centre for Arts, Sports and Technology) first buyers member - reinforcing a shared commitment to accelerating innovation across the entertainment industry.

CAST exists to create low-friction pathways for the discovery, trial, and adoption of new technologies across the entertainment ecosystem. From improving fan engagement to streamlining operations, CAST bridges Builders (startups) and Buyers (industry leaders) to reshape how entertainment is delivered and experienced.

By joining CAST, Ovation has committed to trialling or adopting at least one new piece of technology each year - helping solve real-world challenges and enabling innovation to be embedded directly into live entertainment environments.

Through CAST, Ovation will open its doors to engage with a pipeline of startups and scaleups building technology within the entertainment sector to enhance the fan experience and improve behind-the-scenes operations across venues, festivals, live events, and more.

Andrew Reid, General Manager of Ovation/Ticketek noted “Innovation is increasingly collaborative, and CAST is a vitally important gateway to discovering and embedding new technology partnerships. We’re excited to play a role in helping shape what’s next for live entertainment.”

Gav Parry, General Manager of CAST added “welcoming Ovation/Ticketek as the first buyer member of CAST is a significant moment. Their nearly 50 years in the industry across ticketing, venues, and fan experience puts them at the heart of the entertainment ecosystem. Having a key player within the entertainment industry come onboard as our first member is, I think, a sign of the opportunities and growth the industry is set for in the coming decade. We’re thrilled to help make startup collaboration easier, faster, and more impactful with Ovation, and are incredibly grateful to Andrew for his belief in our vision for CAST.”

CAST Membership
CAST recognises that time is one of the biggest barriers to innovation and most large organisations simply lack the capacity to give high potential startups, the attention they require to bring about improved operations and experiences.  CAST works directly with startups to define trial or adoption structures in advance, eliminating months of back and forth when an opportunity arises.

CAST delivers a quarterly innovation report to its members, showcasing a curated view of the bleeding edge technology and innovation solutions currently being built for the entertainment sector. Each edition is shaped by the specific challenges uncovered during a member’s onboarding with CAST ensuring the content speaks directly to each member’s unique priorities. From pilot opportunities and real-world case studies to shared lessons, exclusive interviews with industry figures, practical tools, and thought pieces, the report is designed to help teams move from insight to action. The report is specifically curated to spark new conversations about how organisations can engage with the startups shaping the future of entertainment.

At its core, the report is about connection: connecting buyers with builders, ideas with outcomes, and organisations across music, sport, and the arts with the tools to create a thriving and future-ready industry.

Create a CAST Profile to join the innovation pipeline and be considered for real-world trials and partnership opportunities.

About Ovation & Ticketek
Ovation is the premium service arm of Ticketek, one of the largest ticketing companies in the Asia-Pacific region. Ovation delivers tailored ticketing, fan engagement, and access solutions for Australia’s biggest venues, festivals, and touring events.

Ticketek itself is part of TEG (Ticketek Entertainment Group), a global leader in live entertainment, ticketing, and technology. TEG’s portfolio includes event promotion, data analytics, digital marketing, and venue operations—owning or operating assets like Qudos Bank Arena, Ticketek Marketplace, and TEG Sport & Live.

More information on Ovation 

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