AEG launches new global touring division under Gary Gersh

AEG Presents has announced an expansion of its global touring business under Gary Gersh, who has been appointed president, AEG Presents Global Touring and Talent.

The company – AEG’s live entertainment touring division, formerly known as AEG Live  – has added Rich Schaefer, who becomes senior VP, global touring, and Rich Holtzman, who has been named senior VP of artist development and marketing, to the new division.

Rounding out the Global Touring and Talent senior management team are longtime AEG Presents execs Larry Vallon (executive vice-president), Debra Rathwell (senior vice-president), Ali Harnell (senior vice-president), Bobby Reynolds (senior vice-president) and Cody Lauzier (vice-president/general manager).

“Global touring has always been at the core of AEG Presents, and with the increase in the number of artists who have developed global fanbases, it was clear we needed to further develop this critical division,” comments Jay Marciano, chairman and CEO of AEG Presents. “Gary’s extensive background as an accomplished label president, artist manager and touring executive made him the obvious choice to spearhead the expansion of our touring division.

“His plan to centralise tour operations to more closely align with our growing international network of touring producers will further establish AEG as a leader in global touring.”

“Live entertainment is an interesting conversation for artists and audiences alike these days”

Other AEG-owned live brands, including Goldenvoice, the Bowery Presents, Concerts West, Messina Touring Group, Marshall Arts and Madison House Presents, will continue to operate separately, as part of AEG Presents.

Gary Gersh is the founder and former CEO of management company the Artists Organization (TAO), and joined AEG in early 2017. New York-based Schaefer was most recently a partner at LoyalT Management, where he helped to guide the careers of performers including Chromeo, Lord Huron, Animal Collective, Sigrid and Aurora, and formerly worked at TAO with Gersh with clients including John Legend, Lenny Kravitz, Soundgarden and Tears for Fears.

Holtzman, also a manager, is best known for his 12-year collaboration with Portugal the Man, and most recently served as an executive at StubHub’s music business. He is also a former TAO colleague of Gersh’s.

“Throughout my career, my passion has always been in artist development, as well as building the teams necessary to execute on their unique vision,” says Gersh.

“His plan to centralise tour operations to more closely align with our network of touring producers will further establish AEG as a leader in global touring”

“Live entertainment is an interesting conversation for artists and audiences alike these days, as it continues to grow and morph quickly. Working closely with Jay and the entire AEG team over these past years has been an incredible experience and I am very excited by all of the opportunities that lie ahead as we assemble the best global touring team at this time of incredible opportunity.”

He adds: “I am also thrilled to be working with Rich and Rich again and look forward to their contributions within the group. Our time together at the Artists Organization proved what a great team we can be, and I am confident this will continue in our new roles.”

Several other AEG Presents staff are also moving over to the Global Touring division, including Nicole Neal, who has been promoted to VP of marketing, Lindsay Dworman, who becomes touring coordinator, and talent buyers Jonny Shuman, Rob Owens, Elliot Lefkowitz and Casey McCabe.

AEG Presents’ UK office promoted Simon Jones to senior VP of music, international, last month.

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