(Yicai Global) Sept. 20 -- Alibaba Digital Media and Entertainment Group, an affiliate of Chinese internet giant Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. [NYSE:BABA], has formed an entertainment business group comprising China's largest live entertainment ticketing platform Damai, performance platform MaiLive and entertainment technology brand Maizuo, online media outlet Ifeng Tech reported on Sept. 19.

Alibaba Group vice-president and Damai chief executive Zhang Yu will serve as CEO for the group, which will absorb Damai's existing services. The group aims to further improve user experience by introducing live entertainment and integrating online and offline services.

Damai, founded in 2004, is the biggest ticket marketing platform in China. It covers concerts, dramas, musicals and sports events. Alibaba acquired the platform in March 2017.

MaiLive is Damai's music brand. It mainly supports new entertainers and original music, and takes responsibility for concert preparation.

Maizuo combines Damai's experience in concert preparation with Alibaba's technologies to promote 'smart' venues. Alibaba's entertainment business group will invest USD75.95 million (CNY500 million) in the future to fully upgrade Maizuo's systems and improve ticket sales, content and data services.