We round up the latest movements from the ticketing sector and associated industries…
YTL Arena Bristol, which is a new 17,000 capacity stadium due for completion in 2024, has added two new hires to its team.
Une Marija Jurkstaite (pictured left) has joined as head of experience, where she will help to grow the YTL Arena fan database and maximise ticket sales for each event. Jurkstaite will also drive the digital user experience across ticketing, food and drink ordering, travel and loyalty programmes.
She said: “I am very happy to be joining this world-class new venue. I look forward to bringing my passion for customer experiences to ensure every touchpoint across the YTL Arena Bristol customer journey is exceptional.”
Jurkstaite has joined the Bristol team from her previous role as chief business officer at Žalgiris Arena, a 20,000-capacity venue in Lithuania.
Matt Blackhouse (pictured right) has also joined the team at YTL Arena Bristol as the senior events project manager.
Blackhouse has had previous experience in the live events industry, starting out as the events and entertainments supervisor for Cardiff University Student’s Union, where he enticed British bands such as Arctic Monkeys, Klaxons and Kaiser Chiefs to perform.
He then moved on to St David’s Hall as events coordinator to deliver a wider programme of events including orchestral events, comedy performances and operatic singing competitions.
In 2014, Blackhouse joined Motorpoint Arena Cardiff as senior events manager and has liaised with iconic names in music, including Sir Elton John, Mariah Carey and Kylie Minogue.
He said: “I am really excited to be joining the team that will deliver the South West’s first-ever purpose-built arena. I grew up in the region and know how much demand there will be from huge events wanting to come to Bristol, and I can’t wait to get started in helping make this a must-play venue for acts.”
Global talent agency UTA has appointed Irene Agbontaen to a newly-formed role of director of artist brand strategy, as a part of its Music Brand Partnerships team.
Agbontaen will be based in London and will focus artist brand strategy for the Europe roster of clients.
Elsewhere, booking agency Runway Artists has also expanded its team with four recent hires.
Dotun Bolaji and Craig Wylie have both joined as agents, while Amy Greig has joined as A&R (artists and repertoire) scout and Heather Mosselson has started as an assistant.
Wylie has previously worked at promoters including CPL and MAMA Group, and has also been the music programmer for London’s Roundhouse venue. Bolaji has worked with some of the UK’s biggest current artists, including Giggs, Chip and AJ Tracey while at university. After finishing education, he promoted London’s SuperLative Sessions.
Greig has previously worked as a promotor for grass roots venues across London, including The Grace and The Camden Assembly.
Mosselson started her career in events as the assistant booker for the UK’s flagship festival, Glastonbury. She organised the festival’s first hip hop day in 1999. Later on in her career, she went on to have a role with Primary Talent International, working as director’s assistant.
Samuel Biscoe has announced that he has left production company Selladoor Worldwide after two and a half years.
Biscoe was the head of audience for Selladoor and previously held the role of ticketing operations manager with the company. Prior to joining Selladoor, Biscoe held the position of partnership developer at event marketing company Activity Stream.
He wrote on LinkedIn: “Today is my last day at Selladoor Worldwide and what a ride it’s been. I’ve been lucky to work with some of the hardest working people in theatre who literally make the impossible work. I’m so thankful to everyone I’ve met during my time here in Peterborough, North Devon and London.”
Do you have news of an appointment that we should know about? Get in touch by emailing news.editor@theticketingbusiness.com and we’ll include it in our next round-up.