AEG Presents has named Andrew Klein as its new president of global partnerships.
Prior to the promotion, Klein held the title of senior vice-president of global partnerships. In the new role, he will oversee all sales and activation business for AEG Presents’ global partnerships division.
“The opportunities in our company have never been more exciting or abundant for driving meaningful results for our partners,” said Klein.
“I look forward to continuing to develop and implement innovative programs that amplify our world-class brand partners and industry-leading music assets.”
New CEO for Merlin Entertainments
Merlin Entertainments has officially named Fiona Eastwood as its chief executive after her initial appointment to the role on an interim basis in November 2024.
Eastwood’s appointment comes as Merlin prepares for landmark new openings later this year, including the first standalone Peppa Pig Theme Park next month, in Dallas Fort Worth. This will be followed in the summer when the first LEGOLAND Resort in China, in Shanghai, welcomes its first visitors.
“My task, as CEO, is to lead Merlin to new heights, with a focus on performance, creativity, operational excellence and guest experience,” Eastwood said.
Prior to Merlin Entertainments, Eastwood worked as managing director of consumer products at BBC Studios.
Grotehöfer joins DEAG
Lutz Grotehöfer has returned to DEAG Deutsche Entertainment as executive vice-president of operations.
He comes back to the company after obtaining a Master of Science in Economics at the Free University of Berlin. Grotehöfer will now work to address strategic issues within a growing DEAG and the wider live entertainment industry.
“I am delighted to be back on board at DEAG after this valuable academic excursion!” Grotehöfer said.
“I have always been closely connected with the live entertainment industry in recent years and have also remained in contact with the DEAG team. I am therefore very much looking forward to continuing my work here, to the challenges in my new area of responsibility and to working with my colleagues.”
Seat Unique appoints first general counsel
Seat Unique has appointed Bethan Power as its first general counsel. Power joins from Leeds United FC where she served as the club’s head of legal.
“Bethan’s experience negotiating high-stakes commercial agreements and working within complex regulatory environments will be a superb asset to Seat Unique as we continue to expand our partnerships with rightsholders and venues globally,” said Seat Unique chief operating officer James Duffy.
“We’re delighted to have her on board.”
Los Angeles’ Angel City Football Club, which is part of the National Women’s Soccer League, has appointed Carmen Bona as its first president of business operations.
In the new role, she will lead the club’s business functions to drive revenue growth and operational excellence.
Bona joins from United Talent Agency where she served as chief strategy and corporate development officer.
Derek Matthews has joined Fanbase as its accounts lead. He joins after spending three years as country manager at Future Ticketing.
“Alongside a rapidly growing product I’m very pleased to share we’ve added a true leader to support our growing community of teams & leagues using one of our core features of Fanbase (Techstars Sports ‘24), ticketing for sports,” said Fanbase chief executive Alasdair Crawley.
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.