AEG’s Adam Wilkes talks Frontier’s new era
Frontier Touring chairman Adam Wilkes has given an insight the company’s new leadership structure and paid tribute to late founder Michael Gudinski in a new interview.
Wilkes, who has been president and CEO of AEG Presents Asia Pacific since 2016, became chair of the Frontier board earlier this year as part of a restructure following Gudinski’s passing in March 2021. A subsidiary of Mushroom Group, Frontier entered into a strategic JV with AEG in 2019.
The company’s executive team comprises Dion Brant as CEO, COO Susan Heymann, CMCO Reegan Stark, and CCO Andrew Spencer.
“I think that works. It allows all people to shine at what they do best.” said Wilkes in an on-stage Q&A at the Music Matters industry conference at Singapore’s Hilton Hotel, reports The Music Network.
“We’ve traditionally been the market leader in Australia, so all signs would suggest that will continue”
“Nobody can fill Michael’s shoes, it’s not a possible thing, he was a one of a kind,” he added. “But one of Michael’s legacies is the incredible company he built, and he had a really deep bench.
“We’ve traditionally been the market leader in Australia, so all signs would suggest that will continue.”
Wilkes described Gudinski, one of the best-known and most-loved figures in the concert business down under for five decades, as a “titan”.
“He was integral to developing the live music industry in Australia since the 1970s, someone that I looked at as a mentor and a friend,” said Wilkes, who went on to discuss the health of the wider Australian live sector.
“The Australian market never ceases to impress,” he said. “It’s only 25 million people but it really punches above its weight when it comes to live performance. I think the per-cap spending in Australia is the highest in the world. It’s just so engrained in the culture.”
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Milan Rokic named SVP of AEG Presents Asia
Live entertainment veteran Milan Rokic has been appointed SVP of AEG Presents Asia.
A longtime industry leader in the region’s live entertainment sector, Rokic will be responsible for leading the AEG Presents Asia team in acquiring and implementing a robust touring business.
As the former VP of marketing for Cirque du Soleil’s Asia-Pacific headquarters, Rokic played an important role in developing Australia and New Zealand into one of the company’s leading territories and in expanding Cirque du Soleil to the Middle East and regions throughout Asia. He also oversaw the launch of Cirque du Soleil’s first permanent shows in Macau and Tokyo.
“I am thrilled to join the AEG team in Asia at this exciting time,” says Rokic. “We are expanding our team, actively pursuing new tours, and building a business that will rapidly grow across the territory.”
“Milan is a great addition to our team and brings years of experience in the unique entertainment markets throughout Asia”
Adam Wilkes, president and CEO of AEG Presents Asia, says: “Milan is a great addition to our team and brings years of experience in the unique entertainment markets throughout Asia. He joins AEG with an established regional network, well credentialed background and natural leadership skills that will be crucial as we continue to grow AEG Presents throughout the region.”
After leaving Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group in early 2010, Rokic was recruited by BASE Entertainment to establish its business in Singapore.
Prior to joining AEG Presents in early 2022, Rokic had founded his own live entertainment company, Sliding Doors Entertainment, and reunited with Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group as the local presenter for their productions throughout the Asia-Pacific region.
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