BookMyShow, the Indian ticketing and entertainment company, has made several changes to its senior leadership, as the company strengthens its management team across key business verticals.
As part of the new structure, Anil Makhija (pictured left) will be in charge of scaling live entertainment operations as chief operating officer of live entertainment and venues. He takes over from Albert Almeida who will head brand partnerships.
Makhija joined BookMyShow in 2013 to lead ground operations and service delivery, while also overseeing deployment of new technologies across all physical events. In his new role, he will lead the operational strategy and execution of all live entertainment experiences across music, comedy, theatre, sports, live performances and more.
BookMyShow has recently launched its transactional-video-on-demand model BookMyShow Stream, which will be led by Ashish Saksena (pictured centre), chief operating officer of cinemas. Saksena has been leading the company’s cinemas business with continuous screen additions across India.
In addition, Marzdi Kalianiwala will take on the role of senior vice-president of product and design at the firm. In his extended role, Kalianiwala will drive BookMyShow’s product strategy and innovation roadmap in line with consumer needs. He previously helmed business intelligence almost through the last decade at the firm.
Ashish Hemrajani, founder and chief executive of BookMyShow said: “Without a shred of doubt, our tenacity is driven by the unwavering loyalty of millions of consumers who have stayed with us through the ups and downs of these past years and equally so, by a visionary leadership team that has always been one to think ahead of time and prepare for it today.
“This latest structural shift in BookMyShow’s leadership is an example of this foresight and one that will be our bedrock as we continue to future proof ourselves while moving forward swiftly, in a constantly evolving world of entertainment.”
Elsewhere, San Francisco-based ticket exchange service, Lyte has promoted Wendi Sturgis (pictured right) from chief revenue officer to president.
In her new role, Sturgis will look to grow all business operations, as well as become responsible for hiring and expanding Lyte’s team and driving marketing strategy for the company.
Ant Taylor, chief executive of Lyte, said: “Wendi is a high impact player and a force multiplier for our business. We have hit a stage in our evolution where our company is our product and Wendi’s track record of making things scale significantly increases our chances of a great outcome.”
Lyte has also named Krystle Jackson as chief of staff to Taylor, after joining the firm in 2020.
Taylor continued: “In navigating COVID, completing a major financing, and building this world class leadership team, Krystle emerged as a natural leader, ready to take on more. Her EQ is off the charts; she is the glue. Nothing inspires me more than homegrown talent, and Krystle is a shining example of how Lyte is a place you can join and watch your career accelerate.”
Live media platform Moment House Sam Berger as head of music. He joins the firm from Spotify, where he worked on the Artist & Label Marketing team.
Casey McCabe, who was a senior talent buyer at AEG Live and The Bowery Presents, has been named head of live music and strategy.
Live Nation has appointed Sherri Sosa to lead its roster of owned and operated venues across the US under the company’s new Venue Nation business.
Read the full story of Sosa’s appointment here.
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