Can't Get No Satisfaction: Rolling Stones summer 2015 tour announcement delayed

About 2 weeks ago on March 13th, the Rolling Stones tweeted the hashtag #SatisfactionThursday. The same day billboards featuring the iconic Rolling Stones logo began popping up in cities all over North America. The only text on the billboards was a name of a song and underneath it "Thursday" or "#SatisfactionThursday". The last time the Stones used this marketing tactic a tour was announced that following week, and a performance was played in each one of the cities a billboard was placed in. Fans went crazy; the Stones haven't toured in North American in 3 years, and at their age no one knows what tour will be their final go around. This viral buzz marketing suggested a full tour announcement was coming soon that following Thursday, March 19. Among the strategically placed billboards, there was one placed in Atlanta. This is great news for Stones fans within the state and neighboring states, since the Stones have not come through Georgia in 9 years. 

During the last Stones tour in 2012, the average cost of a ticket went for around the small price of $600. Even though many Stones fans cannot afford to dish out this dough, including myself, it is still exciting to see if they might be making it through Atlanta this summer. Hmm graduation present? Maybe try to enter into a contest? Maybe try to third wheel it with mom and dad if they decide to go? My parents went to the last Atlanta show in 2006, but I was too young. I will not put it past myself to scheme my way with them this summer. 

Even though the odds are very high that I will not make it to a Stones show in my life, I waited patiently, along with thousands of other fans, last Thursday to see the final verdict. Nothing. Next day, nothing. There was delayed satisfaction. A Nashville TV station reported  "an issue with the nationwide promoter's ticketing" was the cause of the delay. Looks like fans won't be getting what they need for awhile.  

As a marketer I thought this was a great, simple way to get the buzz going. They did a great job teasing the fans with just enough information that they would start stalking the  Rolling Stones website and ticket companies. However, the delay of expected information was a mistake on their part. I don't care how big of a music conglomerate the band is, or how much ungodly amount of money they are worth, I consider this a very bad marketing flaw. Fans were lied to and left with no official statement or apology from the band or their management. To tease such a large market of consumers and loyal fans, it is extremely unprofessional for the Rolling Stones Records, their label, to leave their fans hanging. Additionally, there is no reassurance that the tour will ever officially be announced.