Independent festivals have been dropping like flies over the past couple of years — rising costs, thin margins, and marketing budgets that can’t compete with the majors have forced plenty of promoters to cancel editions or shut down entirely. But one Nashville-based startup thinks it’s found a workaround, and it doesn’t involve spending more on ads.
Surge has built its entire business model around turning festivalgoers into salespeople. Instead of independent events pouring money into increasingly expensive paid advertising campaigns that may or may not convert, Surge helps them activate the fans who already…
