We round up the latest movements from the ticketing sector and associated industries…
Learfield has announced Deana Barnes as the new president of its Paciolan ticketing solutions business.
Barnes’ promotion comes after previous incumbent Kim Damron took on the role of president of its newly created sports properties division.
A 20-year veteran of Paciolan, Barnes was previously chief operating officer. Learfield said she has been instrumental in driving growth and spearheading numerous successful initiatives.
Within the new sports properties division, Damron will oversee Learfield’s multimedia rights business, encompassing both national and local sales, as well as other athletic services, including the company’s Amplify ticket sales, Amplify seat sales, broadcast operations, and naming rights.
Damron said: “I am thrilled to step into this role leading our exceptional Learfield team as we grow and innovate in the college sports industry.
“We will continue to build on the great track record of excellence that our multimedia rights and sales teams have established and seize new innovative opportunities to connect brands to passionate fans and shape the future of college athletics.”
Lamacq becomes LIVE chair
Veteran BBC radio DJ Steve Lamacq has been named chair of LIVE, the UK’s live music industry trade group.
Lamacq has been a central part of BBC Radio programming for over 25 years as co-presenter of The Evening Session on Radio 1 before moving to 6 Music.
Lamacq said: “I am absolutely thrilled to have been offered the chance to work with an organisation which is right at the centre of live music in the UK. As someone whose life has been indelibly shaped by the gigs that I’ve seen, it is a terrific opportunity to be a part of the future of live music in this country, and to be given the responsibility for helping promote, support and define it for generations to come.
“LIVE has already achieved a great deal through a number of important campaigns and I am excited about what we can achieve in the future. It will be a privilege to represent those across the entire spectrum of our sector.”
Meanwhile, Kelly Wood, national organiser for live performance, will join LIVE’s board on behalf of the Musicians’ Union’s community of over 33,000 musicians.
LIVE has also appointed three new co-opted directors in a move to diversify its board and strengthen its decision making. These are Charisse Beaumont of Black Lives in Music, Christine Osazuwa of Shoobs, and Lucy Noble of AEG Presents.
Heney joins OVG
Oak View Group (OVG) has appointed Kristina Heney as executive vice president (EVP) marketing, media and conferences.
In this newly created position, Heney will become OVG’s head of OVG marketing and communications and also take on leadership of the company’s expanding media and conferences division, including the Pollstar and VenuesNow brands. Heney, who will be based in New York, will report to Francesca Bodie, president, business development, and Chris Granger, president, OVG360.
Heney was chief marketing and experience officer for Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group from 2015-2020 where she led the global branding, marketing, communications, and performance for Cirque du Soleil’s portfolio. Heney’s experience includes 15 years with Madison Square Garden Entertainment as SVP of marketing, sales and revenue management for all concerts, productions, and family attractions at MSG-owned properties.
“I am so excited to be joining Oak View Group at this moment in its history,” said Heney. “There has been a tremendous growth story over the last eight years and I’m looking forward to harnessing its incredible business success to craft a story that will support its growth ambitions.”
Bowen’s ASM role
ASM Global has appointed Alex Bowen as vice president of live entertainment.
In his new role, Bowen will manage event procurement and live-entertainment bookings for ASM Global venues in New Orleans, including Caesars Superdome and Smoothie King Center. He will also oversee live-content development and booking responsibilities for venues in the Southeast US region.
John Boyle, ASM Global’s chief content officer, said: “Between his knowledge of Louisiana and southern US regions and his deep understanding of what it takes to produce great shows, we are confident that his transition to ASM Global will be seamless; and we are excited to have him join our world-class team.”
Virginia Military Institute’s (VMI) Athletics Department has promoted Abby Erlemeier to the role of director of ticketing and marketing.
Hired as the director of ticketing in June 2022, Erlemeier will take on a direct role in the planning and execution of VMI Athletics events, aiming to increase attendance and engagement with the VMI Athletics brand.
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.
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