Archives

Geldof Upset Over Text Messaging Ticket Contest

By David Utter
Expert Author
Article Date: 2005-06-14

Winners of tickets to the Live 8 event in London apparently wasted no time posting their ducats on eBay.

Some tickets to the red-hot London Live 8 concert were offered as prizes for a text lottery. The winners, however, displayed true American entrepreneurial spirit and immediately placed the tickets for sale on eBay.

Over two million text messages were sent by people hoping to win the prized tickets.

Live 8 organizer Bob Geldof expressed his displeasure in a statement. "I am sick with this. What eBay are doing is profiteering on the backs of the impoverished. The people who are selling it are wretches. But far worse is the corporate culture which capitalizes on people's misery."

The Live 8 concert in London, scheduled for July 2nd, will see performers like U2, REM, Coldplay, and in a surprise, a reunited Pink Floyd, take the stage to heighten awareness of poverty in Africa.

Four other concerts will take place that day as well, in advance of the G8 economic meeting in Scotland scheduled for July.

In an attempt to mollify Mr. Geldof, eBay offered to donate 1 pound (about $1.80) per pair of tickets sold but was rejected by the singer. Pairs of tickets offered on eBay were going for hundreds of pounds. But it appears some people are placing bogus bids of millions of pounds in an effort to disrupt some of those auctions.



About the Author:
David Utter is a staff writer for WebProNews covering technology and business. Email him here.