Michael Norton Email & Phone Number

Austin, Texas Metropolitan Area

Saffire empowers it's clients through building creative and attractive websites which are fully integrated with SaffireTix, including online, advance and box office - new state-of-the-art Contactless ticket sales. All reporting is conducted in real-time and is available on any device. Clients enjoy self-operation for web content and ticket administration, while also enjoying our award-winning support team 24/7. Social media, email and text marketing operations are also available and widely adopted by our clients. Want to know more about Saffire and our proprietary Spark content management system visit www.saffire.com.

Greater Boston Area

Providence, Rhode Island Campus

Johnson & Wales University (JWU), a private, nonprofit NEASC-accredited institution, has a unique, hands-on, real-world, project-focused education model taught by industry experts designed to inspire students’ professional success and lifelong intellectual growth. Nearly 11,000 students from 70+ countries are making their careers happen in J&W’s 40+ undergraduate, graduate, online, continuing education and accelerated programs in arts & sciences, business, culinary arts, hospitality, technology and education.► Taught courses in live event inventory management, live event marketing, and box office management.► Revised curriculum and edited textbooks to update course text, handouts, and lecture slide content, bringing curriculum into alignment with current industry standards.► Earned highest student evaluation (96% approval) of adjunct professors; recognized as “Best Adjunct Professor in 2008 and 2010.”► Contributed to facility management textbook and authored 150-page report “Introducing Technology into SEE Curriculum.”

Greater Boston Area

Veritix is a SaaS company based in Cleveland, Ohio. Veritix is one of the largest players in the ticketing industry in the space alongside Ticketmaster, AXS, Paciolan, and Tickets.com. Veritix offers business platform for clients’ ticketing, access control and custom development process. ► Deliver market research and thought leadership to senior management for business expansion. ► Provide subject matter expertise on ticketing, sales strategies, social media marketing promotions, and operational improvements with a focus on technology integration. Manage early adapter programs to assist clients with understanding technology benefits, features adoption, and drive increased ticket sales. Represent company at trade show and industry meetings.► Manage client relationships with professional sports teams, universities and each respective host area for concerts, family shows, and special events.► Led successful contract renewal negotiations with 4 top-tier clients to generate between $1M and $60K in annual fees per client.► Maintained all client accounts throughout tenure, with zero losses in contract renewal.► Established best practices to aid clients in system feature adoption and increase ticket sales.► Authored 4 white papers on strategic growth in different genres, gaining recognition from CEO for unprecedented detail, information that was previously unknown, and thought leadership beyond expectations.

Boston, Ma

Founded a startup consulting business. VendActivate creates client revenue opportunities in live entertainment, sports and host venues. Built and managed the business. Served as a consultant for the live entertainment industry, where I provided strategic leadership and tactical direction to advance objectives of startups and mature companies, realign focus, and gain additional revenue from ticketing and ancillary services. Delivered a wide range of consulting services to clients, including: ticket vendor research, ticketing operations management and guidance in growing revenues. Shared knowledge of government affairs and regulatory compliance issues that affected live entertainment, leveraged social media for increased fan engagement, and increased ticket sales revenue. Leveraged industry experience and existing relationships to introduce clients to new concepts, trends, and business affiliates.Achievements:►Contributed an average 5% annual increase ($30K to 50K per client), guaranteeing savings and/or additional revenue. ►Increased revenue and ticket sales for every client, including Agganis Arena at Boston University, Charity Partners, Tickets for Charity, TicketIQ, Outbox Enterprises, and Johnson & Wales University.►Introduced like-minded companies/individuals that would benefit from partnering, cementing 70% of recommendations.►Provided strategic consultation to new and mature companies through ideating and adopting strategies centered around the business model and software operations, resulting in revenue growth from increased web traffic.

Greater New York City Area

Reported directly to the CEO and Senior VP of North America. Developed new business opportunities and created new revenue streams. ► Managed16 direct reports and 100+ indirect reports, including regional managers, high-performing sales/marketing professionals, and support staff members. Generated new revenue streams and product/service adoption.► Built relationships 16+ pro sports teams. Top clients included Madison Square Garden, New York Yankees, US Open, Nederlander Theaters and numerous Broadway producers and decision-makers. ► Motivated and mentored employees to reach goals and objectives.► Liaised with HQ on all Northeast business, legal contracts, and employee affairs. Achievements:■ Signed deals for ongoing annual revenue from major clients, including: New York Giants, US Open, MetLife Stadium, Yankee Stadium, Citi Field and others.■ Saved $1M annually by relocating and consolidating 4 local offices in Northeast.■ Reduced fixed expenses 8% annually, T&E expenses 10% for 5 consecutive years, and lowered payroll costs $150k annually through workforce reductions.■ Generated $3M from Northeast NFL team resale ticket sponsorship programs, achieving 100% league participation.■ Recovered more than $2M in outstanding accounts receivable throughout region in one year.■ Championed beta launch of interactive seat map for all clients, increasing sales 8%.

Greater Boston Area

Senior General Manager (2003 - 2008) General Manager (1994 - 2002) Ticketmaster, LLC Boston, MA ► Promoted to drive new business in a saturated market. Identified developed opportunities outside traditional markets. ► Directed all aspects of sales and marketing process, from negotiating contracts to managing ongoing client relationships for maximum revenue return and retention. ► Managed a team of 25 sales, marketing, promotions, operations, and IT professionals. Supervised offsite support teams in e-commerce, R&D, call centers, and training. Negotiated contracts, reported issues and concerns to corporate headquarters on a regular basis. Represented the company in government affairs issues.► Developed innovative marketing plans enabling clients to sell more tickets.Achievements:■ Developed and implemented multiple “first to market” initiatives. Grew annual sales revenue from $1.5 M to $6M in 6 years. ■ Identified new market opportunities at universities, casinos, and other non-traditional sectors to drive growth. Developed niche market and new revenue sources for the company by building relationships with Public Television shows, thereby generating $500K in new revenue annually for 5 consecutive years.■ National U.S. General Manager for all Cirque du Soleil productions for 3 years (2003-2006).■ Provided project management for company-wide in-house ticket allocation software product launch, saving $1 million in hospitality costs for the company.■ Achieved over 52% of first year revenues via Internet sales, full venue scanning deployment, 100% client adoption rates in value-added products and services. By 1995, delivered 84% of revenue via the Internet.

Greater Boston Area

► Initially hired as Director of Operations, growing sales in New England from $1.5 to $16M in 6 years by developing partnerships with companies/events such as PBS, This Old House, Antiques Roadshow, and Phantom Gourmet Food Fest; optimizing technology use such as IVR speech recognition to save $0.75 per ticket in call center sales, and improving productivity/efficiency of operations.

Ba, Theatre Arts, Communication, English, Secondary Education

Activities and Societies: Graduated with honors

A.A, English Literature

Activities and Societies: Graduated with honors

Mba, Master Of Business Administration

Activities and Societies: Graduated with honors