This month we catch up with Matt Buttell, Ticketmaster UK’s Content Manager, to learn about his experiences in the industry – and his love for West End theatre!

We continue our ongoing series of staff interviews to reveal what goes on behind-the-scenes at Ticketmaster and TicketWeb UK. This month we chat with Content Manager Matt Buttell to find out more about his role at the company.

Tell us your story – how did you end up as Content Manager?

I’ve worked in editorial roles since graduating about 12 years ago and have always had an interest in live entertainment. I started writing for the Ticketmaster Blog as a freelancer about four years ago, attending West End shows and writing reviews – then joined the company about two years ago as an editor. I was promoted to Content Manager earlier this year.

Can you explain a normal day at work for you?

I manage a team of Content Executives and Editors and between us we write and approve all written communications for Ticketmaster UK. This includes all emails, website copy and all our entertainment guides, so our days can be pretty full on in ensuring that everything is kept up to date across the site and that our fans are informed about new onsales in new and exciting ways. My team also manages all campaigns, so I’m often in meetings with our Design team discussing new artwork or roll-out plans for marketing campaigns might have in the pipeline.

I also work very closely with our Blog Editor to ensure we’re producing high quality creative content and I regularly contribute to the blog with announcement posts, reviews and features – I love it!

What has been your favourite campaign to work on?

Our Minimaster campaign is a great asset to our brand. At its heart, Minimaster is really just a listings page for family-friendly shows, designed to get kids into live entertainment from a young age, but we’ve recently had a rebrand and relaunch of the page and it looks great now! As part of the campaign we also send kids backstage to interview the stars, watch rehearsals or get a sneak peek – it’s great being involved in that and seeing the kids’ faces light up when they get these money-can’t-buy experiences.

What has been your favourite show that you’ve seen recently?

I am huge musical theatre fan and love going to the West End to see the best new show in town. With that in mind, I’d have to say Hamilton. I was lucky enough to see the show on Broadway a couple of years ago and had been waiting with baited breath for the UK transfer – I’m thrilled to say it does not disappoint! It really is an incredible production that really breaks down the stereotypes of what people think musical theatre is all about. I can’t wait to see it again!

And finally, what live event are you most excited for in 2018?

Sticking with the musical theme, I’d have to say Stephen Sondheim’s Company at the Gielgud Theatre, which opens in September. It’s the first time Company has been on in the West End since 1995 and its extra exciting because Marianne Elliot (director) and Chris Harper (producer) have gender-swapped the lead role from Bobby to Bobbi. Sondheim himself approved the gender change and has made some revisions to the text for the production – West End star Rosalie Craig will play the lead, and from what I’ve seen so far it looks like it will probably be my show of the year.