J. Michael Cline: A Pioneer in Movie Ticketing
J. Michael Cline, the visionary co-founder of Fandango, revolutionized the way Americans experienced movies. Tragically, he passed away this week after a fatal fall from the twentieth floor of a Manhattan hotel.
New York City police officers responded to a distressing 911 call at the Kimberly Hotel on Tuesday, where they discovered Mr. Cline unconscious and unresponsive, with injuries consistent with a fall from a height. The authorities confirmed that Mr. Cline, aged 64, had jumped.
Mr. Cline, who played a pivotal role in establishing Fandango in 2000, later departed from the company in 2011, as indicated by his LinkedIn profile. Fandango, recognizable by its iconic orange “F” logo resembling a ticket stub, was eventually acquired by Comcast and is presently under the ownership of NBCUniversal and Warner Bros.
For years, Fandango dominated the movie-ticket sales market, facilitating ticketing for numerous prominent theater chains. The company generated revenue through processing fees for online ticket sales and advertising on its platform.
During the inception of Fandango, Mr. Cline succinctly described the company’s name, stating, “A Fandango is fast and fun.” He emphasized that Fandango perfectly aligned with the mission of enhancing the movie-watching experience.
Art Levitt, the co-founder and former COO of Fandango, fondly recalled Mr. Cline as a brilliant, creative, and steadfast individual, who persevered through challenging times. Mr. Levitt highlighted Mr. Cline’s adventurous spirit and his keen eye for market opportunities. It was Mr. Cline’s foresight that led to the establishment of Fandango, with Mr. Levitt taking charge of its management.
