Independent music company ATC Group has promoted Ric Salmon to the newly-created position of chief growth officer.

Salmon has worked with ATC for ten years, representing a wide range of artists, including Laura Marling, Glen Hansard, Trevor Horn, and Frank Carter. He is also co-founder of the BAFTA award-winning livestream business Driift, which is now part of the ATC Services business segment.

Prior to that, Salmon managed globally established artists including Seal and Morrissey through his management company Harvest Entertainment and held senior A&R roles at Sony Music, Ministry of Sound and Warner Music International, where he worked with artists as diverse as Eric Prydz, Rod Stewart, Beverley Knight, The Corrs, and Boyzone among others.

In his new position, Salmon will play a key role in ATC’s senior management team as the company continues to globally expand its full-service model by securing new acquisitions and partnerships. Last week, the firm announced the acquisition of two UK music venues, Brighton-based Concorde 2 and Volks.

“Ric’s deep understanding of the music industry and the needs of artists makes him the ideal person for this newly created role”

“Ric’s deep understanding of the music industry and the needs of artists makes him the ideal person for this newly created role. We look forward to seeing the immediate positive impact his appointment will undoubtedly have on the Group,” says Adam Driscoll, CEO, ATC Group.

Ric Salmon, chief growth officer, ATC Group, adds: “These are exciting times at ATC. We are building a new type of global music company, one with music management at its core, but with scope to capitalise on new technologies and market innovation, and provide a comprehensive range of services to help artists reach their creative and commercial potential. Among my responsibilities as Chief Growth Officer will be to continue to secure new acquisitions and partnerships that can expand this full-service model. I’m absolutely delighted to take up this new role, and to continue working with such a phenomenal team.”

London-headquartered ATC Group includes divisions in artist management (ATC Management) and live concert bookings (ATC Live), alongside other in-house services such as merchandising, livestreaming, synchronization and music promotion, brand partnerships, digital innovation, and live experiences.

Following an Initial Public Offering (IPO) in December 2021, ATC has made several strategic acquisitions, including direct-to-fan merchandising company Sandbag, live music promoter Joy Entertainment, and Raw Power Management, home to artists such as Bring Me The Horizon, Bullet For My Valentine, Jordan Adetunji, You Me At Six and Heartworms. As a result, ATC Group’s annual revenues grew by 107% in 2024.

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AEG Presents has appointed Lisa Mart to the newly created position of regional general manager of Indigo at The O2 and Watford Colosseum.

Mart, who will be based in London, brings more than 15 years of experience across the live events and venue industry, will be responsible for overseeing the commercial and operational performances of both venues.

She has spent the past 13 years with ATG Entertainment, initially serving as front of house manager at New Wimbledon Theatre and later as general manager.

She joined The Alexandra, Birmingham, in 2016 as theatre director and has most recently been venue director at Swansea Building Society Arena, where she managed the full venue launch and opening.

“I am really honoured to be joining the AEG Presents team as part of their exciting mid-size venue expansion,” says Mart. “This role is a really perfect culmination of my previous experience – both Indigo at The O2 and Watford Colosseum have impressive and iconic histories to date, and I am looking forward to celebrating that whilst taking advantage of their incredible potential.”

Mart will report to AEG Presents UK group venues operations director Stuart Dorn.

“We are delighted to welcome Lisa to AEG Presents, a key team member as we continue to grow our mid-size venue portfolio,” says Dorn. “She brings a wealth of experience, which will help with both the establishment of Watford Colosseum and the continued growth of indigo at The O2, which will host over 200 shows in 2025.”

Watford Colosseum is set to reopen in the autumn following a multi-million-pound refurbishment as AEG’s mid-size venue expansion gathers pace, with the Olympia music venue in London also set to launch in 2026 as part of the wider £1.3 billion regeneration of Olympia.

“The Middle East is home to an incredible range of innovative brands, and I look forward to showcasing their value on a global stage”

Earlier this week meanwhile, AEG Global Partnerships appointed Fadi Zouein to the role of VP, global partnerships, Middle East.

In the newly created role, Zouein will focus on developing strategic partnerships with Middle Eastern brands for the company’s portfolio of global assets. He will be responsible for identifying brand partners from the region and introducing opportunities across AEG venues including LA’s Crypto.com Arena, The O2 in London and multi-purpose arena projects in APAC, as well as festivals such as Coachella, BST Hyde Park and Rock en Seine.

“Our Global Partnerships business is unrivalled in its ability to create innovative campaigns and sponsorships that enable brands to build deeper relationships with their customers, and I’m looking forward to seeing the growth and value that Fadi can unlock not only for our business, but among our future business partners from the Middle East,” says Paul Samuels, EVP of AEG Global Partnerships.

Zouein joins from Al Jazira Club, where he was group chief commercial and marketing officer.

“I am truly excited to join AEG Global Partnerships,” says Zouein. “The Middle East is home to an incredible range of innovative brands, and I look forward to showcasing their value on a global stage through dynamic, strategic partnerships.”

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Australian-headquartered global entertainment giant TEG has named Brad Banducci as CEO, with Geoff Jones becoming chair.

Jones will move into the chairman role after 14 years as chief executive, while Banducci brings more than 30 years of leadership experience and was most recently CEO of Woolworths Group.

Jones is credited as the architect of TEG’s integrated model and for leading the firm’s transformation into a global leader in live entertainment, ticketing, digital and data.

“I am delighted to pass the baton to Brad, whose proven track record makes him the ideal leader to guide TEG into its next phase,” says Jones. “As chairman, I look forward to working with Brad and the team to continue to grow the business.”

“I am following both a personal passion for live events and a strong belief in the increasing importance of live experiences in general”

The TEG umbrella includes Ticketek, TEG Live, TEG Sport, TEG Experiences, TEG Dainty, TEG Europe, TEG Asia, TEG North America and SXSW Sydney, among others.

Banducci, who begins his new role on 31 March, adds: “I am honoured to join TEG at this exciting time in its journey. Under Geoff’s leadership, the company has built a strong foundation, and I look forward to working in partnership with Geoff, [COO] Cameron Hoy, our investors Silver Lake, Mercury Capital and Australian Super, and the broader TEG Team, to deliver exceptional live experiences for all of our customers and stakeholders.

“In this new role, I am following both a personal passion for live events and a strong belief in the increasing importance of live experiences in general.”

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Live Nation has appointed Milly Olykan as senior vice president of artist development and global touring.

Olykan joins the live music behemoth from the Country Music Association (CMA), where she served as vice president of international relations and development since 2018.

In her new role at Live Nation, Olykan will be tasked with the continued growth and development of the company’s country and Americana strategy worldwide.

She will work closely with Live Nation’s global promoters to identify new touring opportunities, foster relationships with the artist community, and drive the company’s growth in the international country music market.

Olykan’s appointment underscores the continued globalisation of country music, with genre acts appearing on mainstream festival stages and selling out arenas around the globe.

And with popstars such as Beyoncé, Lana Del Rey and Post Malone turning their hand to the genre, the success of country has been further elevated both at home in the United States and around the world.

“Country and Americana artists are touring more of the world than ever before as the global demand for their music is on the rise”

Commenting on her new role, Olykan says: “I’ve been so fortunate to work under Sarah Trahern’s incredible leadership at CMA, an organization whose mission is to grow country music around the world. It’s been a privilege to have built so many meaningful relationships worldwide, and I’m excited to continue advancing that mission from my new role at Live Nation.”

During her tenure at CMA, Olykan further developed the association’s international strategy, focusing on expanding country music’s global footprint and building a network of industry leaders to drive growth and awareness for the genre worldwide. Additionally, she oversaw CMA’s programming strategy for CMA Fest and served as interim festival director for two years.

Omar Al-Joulani, president of touring, Live Nation, comments: “Country and Americana artists are touring more of the world than ever before as the global demand for their music is on the rise, and Milly’s extensive experience and industry connections make her a great asset to support our efforts in continuing to expand touring of those genres worldwide. We’re excited for the opportunities her leadership will create for artists and their tours around the world.”

Prior to her role at CMA, Olykan was a key figure in the UK’s country music scene as vice president of live music and major arena events at AEG Presents. She was one of the founding promoters of Country to Country (C2C), the UK’s largest country music festival, and established country touring in the UK for AEG Presents, earning her the CMA Jo Walker Meador International Award for her outstanding contributions to the genre’s international growth.

Olykan will join Live Nation’s Concerts division in January, reporting to Al-Joulani.

Read more about country music’s stratospheric growth in IQ‘s recent feature.

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AEG Presents has installed Weston Hebert as vice president of global touring, based out of the firm’s Nashville offices.

Hebert joins the company from Live Nation, where he most recently served as talent buyer.

In his new role, Hebert’s responsibilities will include driving touring strategies and initiatives across the global market, reporting to president of global touring, Rich Schaefer.

“When Rich and I first spoke about this opportunity, I jumped at the chance to join the AEG Presents family,” says Hebert. “Rich and the global touring team have cultivated an exceptional sense of collaboration & community with the artists, managers & agents they work with. I’m excited to contribute to the ecosystem they’re fostering, which drives artist development & growth in all facets of the business.”

“We’ve been watching Weston’s development as a touring promoter from afar and have been impressed by his relationship”

Schaefer adds: “We’re very excited to welcome Weston to global touring, boosting our presence in Nashville. We’ve been watching Weston’s development as a touring promoter from afar and have been impressed by his relationships with the artist community, managers and agents and his impeccable taste in music. We’re looking forward to Weston being a significant contributor to our team.”

Hebert began his career in 2015 at WME Nashville, focusing on the international expansion of the agency’s country touring business.

In 2018, Weston joined Live Nation as a talent buyer in the Great Lakes region, overseeing bookings and programming at venues including Andrew J Brady Music Center, The ICON Festival Stage and Bogart’s & The Bluestone.

He also successfully booked and promoted tours for emerging artists such as The Red Clay Strays, Gavin Adcock, and Lawrence.

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Roskilde’s long-time programme director Anders Wahrén is leaving the Danish festival to become the new CEO of VEGA.

Located in Copenhagen, the iconic live music venue hosts around 350 concerts a year between the Store VEGA (standing capacity 1,500, seated 800) and its smaller counterparts Lille VEGA (standing 500) and Ideal Bar.

Artists that have performed at the venue include Prince, David Bowie, Björk, Suede, Kylie Minogue, Norah Jones, Moby, Foo Fighters, and Blur.

After a “lengthy” process, the venue’s board has chosen Wahrén to succeed Steen Jørgensen, who will leave this summer after 14 years as CEO.

Wahrén’s 25-year career in live music began at the Gimle venue in his hometown of Roskilde. In 1996, he began volunteering at Roskilde Festival before becoming a booker and production manager. After a four-year stint at Live Nation and Copenhell, Wahrén returned to Roskilde Festival in 2011, where he has been programme manager for the past 14 years.

“For me, VEGA is Denmark’s most important permanent music scene, and I look forward to working with everything from budding talents to the biggest domestic stars and new international trends,” says Wahrén.

“For me, VEGA is Denmark’s most important permanent music scene”

“VEGA is driven by strong values ​​and ambitions to drive positive change, which harmonises well with what I stand for and am well-rounded by. There is already a strong team at VEGA, with whom I look forward to unfolding future plans and dreams.”

Chairman of the board of VEGA, David Zahle, adds: “Recruiting a new director for VEGA has been a long and thorough process, and it should be. A large and complex house like VEGA is not for just anyone. Anders Wahrén is a skilled leader who has been involved with music throughout his working life and has solid experience in operating and developing great ambitions on behalf of music at Roskilde Festival.

“With artistic quality at the forefront, Anders will help ensure that a vibrant music environment can grow on art’s own terms. Anders is the right person to ensure that the audience gets the best concert and sound experience with good service, regardless of whether they experience the talents of the new generations or the tens of thousands of musicians who return to VEGA year after year.”

Wahrén and his team will lead the venue in a “new and ambitious direction… working to position as an independent venue with the three hall capacities is unique in an international context,” according to a release.

VEGA’s other management comprises chief financial officer Vivian Ment, head of programme and development Lene Vive Christiansen, head of communications Søren Gaden, head of commercial Louise Juul Dalby and head of production Kevin Le Geyt.

Read more about Wahrén’s legacy at Roskilde Festival in IQ‘s special feature marking 50 years of the Danish institution.

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Emma Bownes has been promoted to senior vice president of venue programming across AEG’s European venues.

In her expanded role, Bownes will lead programming strategy and implementation for AEG Europe’s arena portfolio, The O2 in London, Hamburg’s Barclays Arena, Berlin’s Uber Arena, and Uber Eats Music Hall.

With 25 years in the sector, Bownes joined AEG in 2010 and has held multiple roles, ultimately heading the programming team responsible for curating commercially successful and innovative event calendars across AEG Europe’s venues.

She also serves as a board member for the UK charity Music Venue Trust, where she champions grassroots venues and advocates for the next generation of talent.

In 2024, she was appointed an ambassador for the Young Voices Foundation, where she played a key role in sponsoring local schools to participate in performances at The O2, underscoring her commitment to music education and talent development.

“I’m excited by the road ahead and thankful to be part of a fantastic and talented team”

“At AEG, our vision is to be the best-in-class live entertainment business and Emma’s work is fundamental to this,” says John Langford, chief operating officer, AEG Europe.

“Under her direction, we’ve been able to deliver a record-breaking number of shows and ticket sales for multiple years now. Her elevation within the business is reflective of these achievements and the focus we have on continued future growth. Emma’s passion, knowledge, and pursuit of excellence is incredibly inspiring to all those who work with her.”

Bownes adds: “I am incredibly grateful that I get to do what I love every day and do so for some of the world’s most iconic venues, alongside the very best. I’m excited by the road ahead and thankful to be part of a fantastic and talented team.”

AEG has also announced further promotions in the venue programming team. Jo Peplow-Revell has been promoted to director of corporate & special events and Marc Saunders has progressed to head of programming at The O2, reporting to Christian D’Acuna, senior programming director at The O2.

Last year, IQ marked Bownes’s 25 years in the business, quizzing the veteran on her journey to the top and the philosophies that have shaped her career success.

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The UK’s largest arena Co-op Live has announced that NEC Group veteran Ben Sharman is joining the Manchester venue as its new director of booking.

Sharman’s arrival coincides with Co-op Live director of strategic programming, Katie Musham’s move into Oak View Group International, where she will continue to grow Co-op Live’s programme of bespoke events and support OVG in its expansion across Europe and the rest of the world.

With over a decade of experience in the live events and entertainment industry, Sharman’s achievements include account managing British Athletics’ commercial partners in advance of the London 2012 Olympic Games and securing major sponsorships for Aston Villa Football Club in the Premier League.

He joined the commercial partnerships department at the NEC Group in 2014, transitioning into arena programming in 2017. In late 2022, he was promoted to head of programming for Utilita Arena Birmingham and bp pulse LIVE.

Sharman led the arenas to record-breaking financial success including programming tours such as Genesis’ The Last Domino? Tour and Peter Kay’s Better Late Than Never tour, as well as delivering the 2022 Concert for Ukraine, which raised £13 million for the Disasters Emergency Committee.

“When the opportunity to work with the UK’s largest arena came, it was impossible to turn down”

“Joining Oak View Group and Co-op Live marks an exciting new chapter in my career after an incredible 11 years at the NEC Group, for which I’m deeply grateful,” says Sharman.

“When the opportunity to work with the UK’s largest arena came, it was impossible to turn down. I’m eager to bring my experience in venue programming and strong industry relationships to cement Co-op Live’s status as a must-play venue in the global live events industry.”

Gary Hutchinson, executive vice president global touring and content, Oak View Group International adds: “We are delighted to welcome Ben Sharman to Co-op Live. His impressive career trajectory, unmatched expertise, and industry relationships make him the perfect choice to lead our booking strategy. We’re confident that Ben’s vision will further elevate Co-op Live as a premier destination for world-class events, and continue our established record for hosting the world’s most exceptional artists.”

Sharman’s appointment comes after NEC Group veteran Guy Dunstan was enlisted as Co-op Live’s new general manager and SVP.

Dunstan took the helm on 21 October as the interim general manager Rebecca Kane Burton became EVP of venue management for OVG International.

In 2025, Co-op Live is set to welcome a host of global talents such as Sabrina Carpenter, Tyler, the Creator, Bruce Springsteen, Lionel Richie, Hans Zimmer, and more.

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Live Performance Australia (LPA), the peak body for Australia’s live performance industry, has appointed Eric Lassen as CEO.

Lassen brings experience as the former CEO of PayPal Australia and senior vice president and deputy general counsel for Live Nation Entertainment.

In addition to those roles, Lassen has served on several not-for-profit boards, including as the president of the Music Forward Foundation.

He succeeds Evelyn Richardson who announced in June that she would step down from her role at the end of the year after an 18-year tenure.

“Australia is home to some of the world’s best creative talent and arts and business leaders, and I’m keen to work alongside them in building and advocating for a sustainable, successful and growing industry which will excite, engage and entertain current and future generations of Australian and international audiences,” says Lassen.

“Australia is home to some of the world’s best creative talent and arts and business leaders, and I’m keen to work alongside them”

Live Performance Australia president Richard Evans added, “While audiences have returned in strong numbers since COVID, our Members are rebuilding and adapting to the post-pandemic environment, and dealing with a challenging economic and business environment, as well as managing policy and regulatory change.

“Eric’s demonstrated leadership experience and ability to successfully navigate complex business, policy and regulatory issues will ensure that LPA stays at the forefront in representing our Members’ best interests and supporting their growth and success.”

Evelyn Richardson adds: “The industry has grown strongly and evolved significantly over the past couple of decades, notwithstanding the disruption inflicted by the pandemic and other challenges along the way.

“It is driven by the passion and resilience of those who create, produce and present live performance. While the current economic and business climate continues to pose challenges, I have every confidence the industry has a bright future and that LPA will continue to play a leading role as its advocate and champion.”

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Live Nation Sweden has appointed Jon Bergsjö as managing director, taking over from Mattias Behrer.

Bergsjö is currently managing director of Sweden Rock Festival and Live Brands Factory – both of which are owned by Live Nation Sweden.

It has also been announced that Mats Natvig will step in as chairman of the board for Live Nation Sweden, Lugerinc and Göta Lejon. Natvig has been chairman of the board for Sweden Rock Festival and Live Brands Factory since 2021.

Thomas Johansson, chairman of the board of Live Nation Nordic AB, says: “Bergsjö is very suitable to lead Live Nation Sweden as managing director and implement and further develop the company’s strategy. Both Bergsjö and Natvig have shown very good results in their work to make Sweden Rock Festival AB one of Europe’s most profitable festivals. We look forward to welcoming them to their new assignments.”

“Bergsjö is very suitable to lead Live Nation Sweden as managing director and implement and further develop the company’s strategy”

John Reid, president of concerts for Live Nation EMEA, adds: “I would like to thank Mattias Behrer for his commitment and wish him all the best in his future assignments. Jon and Mats bring strong business understanding, passion and commitment, and we are very pleased that they will now lead the Swedish operations.”

Live Nation Sweden, along with its wholly-owned subsidiary Luger, organises festivals such as the Melodifestival tour, Lollapalooza Stockholm, Way Out West and Åre Sessions, as well as concerts, tours, international sports events, live podcasts, musicals and creative show concepts.

Read IQ‘s profile on Thomas Johansson, chairman of the board of Live Nation Nordic, here.

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