Eventim UK chairman to step down
CTS Eventim has announced that Nick Blackburn is stepping down from his post as chairman of Eventim UK on 30 September 2021.
Blackburn joined the British subsidiary of the pan-European live entertainment giant in June 2011, two years after it launched.
At the London-based ticketing company, Nick was responsible for Eventim’s business development in the UK and Ireland. He was previously chairman and CEO of See Tickets in the UK.
“I have enjoyed my time at Eventim which turned out to be longer than I originally expected,” says Nick Blackburn.
“I would not leave until there was a strong management structure in place which could take the company forward”
“I informed Klaus-Peter Schulenberg [CEO of CTS Eventim] of my intentions last March as by then I had introduced John Gibson and Martin Fitzgerald to the company, both now managing directors at Eventim UK, thus keeping my promise that I would not leave until there was a strong management structure in place which could take the company forward.
“I am now free to move on to consultancy work, to spend more time on an educational charity of which I am a trustee and complete some items in my bucket list especially in travel.”
Schulenberg added: “Over the past ten years, Nick has taken Eventim UK forward and strengthened its position in this important market. In addition, I would like to thank him for setting the course for the continued positive development of our company in the UK. I wish Nick all the best for his future.”
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Eventim UK appoints John Gibson as MD
CTS Eventim has appointed John Gibson as managing director of its London-based British subsidiary, Eventim UK.
Gibson, who started his new role in January, joins Eventim UK from online marketplace Groupon UK, where he headed up the live ticketing business for Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
The new Eventim UK MD previously held senior positions at SeatGeek, Vivaticket, Ticketmaster UK and See Tickets.
“I am delighted to have John on board in his role of managing director,” comments Eventim UK chairman Nick Blackburn.
“Gibson brings a wealth of experience with him, including an in-depth knowledge of all aspects of our industry”
“He brings a wealth of experience with him; which includes an in-depth knowledge, and understanding, of all aspects of our industry.”
According to the International Ticketing Yearbook 2019, Eventim UK is one of a number of major international corporates operating in the UK ticketing industry, along with Ticketmaster, See Tickets, AXS and Eventbrite.
Read IQ’s special anniversary feature on CTS Eventim here.
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VMS Live expands team in new London office
UK-based promoter and venue operator VMS Live has hired three new team members in its London office, which opened late last year.
Former Mean Fiddler general manager James Gall is joining VMS Live as southern manager and acting head of venues, taking responsibility for all VMS Live venue operations and venue management teams.
Gall states his aim is “to improve efficiency of management systems”, “ensure health and safety compliance”, and create “bespoke marketing to help drive shows”.
Also joining the London office is graphic designer Filippos Saltsidis, who brings experience from working for agencies, media companies and as a freelance designer in countries including Greece and Germany. Saltsidis will act as the main graphic designer in the VMS Live marketing department.
The final addition to the team is Yara Magarino, who joins as a marketing executive, having previously worked for festival discovery and travel platform Festicket.
“Establishing a central team in London is a key part for VMS Live in supporting our nationwide network of venues”
Magarino has also worked as an assistant brand and product manager at PlayStation, Pernod Ricard and Grupo Planeta.
“Establishing a central team in London is a key part for VMS Live in supporting our nationwide network of venues,” comments CEO Bert Van Horck.
“These three people combine experience and youthful talent and I’m confident we are well positioned to provide our clients with enhanced promotional, operational and marketing support.”
Founded in 2007 by the late Steve Forster, VMS Live operates and/or books mid-size UK venues including Eventim Olympia Liverpool (1,960-cap.), Asylum in Hull (1,100-cap.) and the William Aston Hall in Wrexham (1,200-cap.), and counts Eventim UK, the local arm of Germany’s CTS Eventim, among its clients.
The company is promoting upcoming tours by 808 State and Grand Magnus, as well as promoting dates by Jools Holland and Milton Jones.
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VMS Live to open London office, launch marketing arm
Independent British promoter and venue operator VMS Live is making changes to its business model, opening a central London office and creating a new marketing division.
Founded in 2007 by the late Steve Forster, VMS Live operates and/or books mid-size UK venues including Eventim Olympia Liverpool (1,960-cap.), Asylum in Hull (1,100-cap.) and the William Aston Hall in Wrexham (1,200-cap.), and counts Eventim UK, the local arm of Germany’s CTS Eventim, among its clients.
Following the appointment of Bert Van Horck as CEO in September, VMS is undergoing changes to improve customer service and enhance marketing support for venues.
From 6 January 2020, VMS’s booking, ticketing, marketing and music divisions will operate out of a new office in King’s Cross, London, headed by High Voltage festival promoter Abbie Marshall. Central services such as finance and HR will also be based out of the London office.
“To align our aims and those of our clients, we will invest in new systems, and a new office, and create a new marketing department”
The company has also hired Ioana Mosteanu, who formerly worked on music brand partnerships at Red Bull, and digital marketing and design specialist Yara Magarino to work in its newly created marketing division. Mosteanu will also take charge of the ticketing department.
VMS’s former operations assistant, Aoife Niblock, will take on the role of northern regional manager, supervising VMS venues in Wrexham, Liverpool and Hull.
“We have taken a very close look at the heart of the company and consulted with the great team of people working here and fantastic clients to make some well-informed, bold decisions,” comments Van Horck.
“To align our aims and those of our clients, we will invest in new systems, and a new office, and create a new marketing department, for which we have appointed two marketeers.
“This signals our ambitions to help our clients grow their businesses and expand our portfolio of venues.”
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Eventim UK signs Atom Promotions
Eventim UK had added independent promoter Atom Promotions to its portfolio of British clients.
The ticketing company a subsidiary of Germany’s CTS Eventim, has become primary ticket agent for Worthing, West Sussex-based Atom, which in the last 12 has promoted shows by the likes of the Charlatans, Half Man Half Biscuit, Grandmaster Flash and comedian Adam Buxton.
Eventim says recent CRM and digital marketing initiatives, such as Artist Intelligence, have boosted customer retention, engagement and conversion, which will help Atom Promotions continue to grow year on year.
“We are delighted to be working with the premier ticket agency in the UK”
Thom Milner-Smith, CEO and founder of Atom, comments: “We are delighted to be working with the premier ticket agency in the UK and believe together we shall be able to offer a great partnership for fans.”
Dale Ballentine, COO of Eventim UK, adds: “Eventim and Atom Promotions share the same core value. We want to work with independent promoters that provide great value to fans and bring content to grassroots venues, which helps to keep the independent scene alive.”
Eventim’s wider UK client list includes VMS Live, 3A, Eventim Olympia, Gig Cartel, Cornbury Music Festival and Eventim Apollo.
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Eventim introduces Artist Intelligence
Eventim UK is delighted to introduce Artist Intelligence, the newest member of our marketing team. Artist Intelligence is the latest addition to our advanced marketing suite that will enable us send targeted onsale and presale emails for every event and every artist.
The meticulous tool uses a sophisticated algorithm to select previous same artist bookers and similar artist bookers data, to send emails to fans and would-be-fans alike. The advanced algorithm analyses data collected from the various Eventims around the globe to make the most relevant and accurate recommendations for customers.
Artist Intelligence analyses CTS Eventim’s database of customer’s purchases and behaviour across all Eventim’s platforms to carefully select events for targeted and specific recipients.
Artist intelligence will significantly increase our open and conversion rate
We launched a recommended events email widget last year, using part of the same mechanism as Artist Intelligence, and this has proven to be excellent in converting sales. Therefore, by expanding this into show-specific emails we expect to see a high open and conversion rate.
Artist Intelligence will significantly speed up our email marketing process, so we can send a targeted email for every show regardless of the size, to the right data.
We continue to advance our marketing strategy for all our clients; promoters, venues and festival organisers. We provide multi-channel marketing campaigns, focusing on; CRM, social strategy, PPC, website and app personalisation. Our analytical intelligence tool, Eventim.Analytics, easily provides data insights to make your marketing more efficient and effective.
If you want your events to be part of this exciting development, get in touch at [email protected].
Want to promote your business or service with a sponsored news story/banner package? Contact Archie Carmichael by emailing [email protected] for more information.
Daniel Brown named CEO of Eventim UK
CTS Eventim has appointed former AEG/AXS exec Daniel Brown as CEO of Eventim UK.
Brown, 40, has for the past six years held management positions at AEG, including director/vice-president of CRM at AEG Europe and, most recently, vice-president of marketing and customer experience at majority AEG-owned ticketing business AXS. He began his career in the automotive industry and later worked at creative agency OgilvyOne.
He succeeds Simon Presswell, who left in late 2016, with chairman Nick Blackburn fulfilling Presswell’s former role in an interim capacity.
Brown comments: “I’m thankful to CTS Eventim’s management board for their confidence in me and I’m looking forward to playing my role in shaping the growth story of a global player in my home market. With my new colleagues, I want to help build on Eventim UK’s reputation as a reliable and innovative partner for venues, promoters and fans – one that knows how to exploit the potential presented by digitisation in the interest of our various customers.”
“I want to help build on Eventim UK’s reputation as a reliable and innovative partner for venues, promoters and fans”
Alongside Brown’s appointment, Dale Ballentine, who previously served as Eventim UK director of development, has been promoted to COO of the company. Blackburn remains chairman.
“I welcome Daniel Brown to Eventim UK,” adds Blackburn. “He brings valuable industry experience to his role as CEO. At the same time, I’m happy that Dale Ballentine has accepted his promotion to COO. Over the past two years he has significantly contributed to Eventim UK’s strategic progress and our business success. Together with our finance director, James O’Mullan, we now have a strong team in place to handle what I’m convinced will be a phase of growth for Eventim UK.
“I look forward to working with this strong team of executives and all other colleagues at Eventim UK for the foreseeable future.”
Highlights of Eventim UK’s 2018 include partnerships with Mamma Mia! The Party and venue operator VMS Live and the launch of its price-capped ticket resale service, FanSALE.
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Kili, Glasto, Eventim and more honoured at MW Awards
Kilimanjaro Live, Glastonbury Festival, Eventim UK and Coda’s Alex Hardee were among the live business winners at last night’s Music Week Awards 2018 in London.
Kili took home the Skiddle-sponsored award for live music promoter (company), while Hardee was named best live music agent (individual). Eventim was honoured as best ticketing company, and Glastonbury as festival of the year.
Ed Sheeran’s manager, Stuart Camp, meanwhile, took home the gong for manager of the year, while the 275-capacity Boileroom in Guildford was named best grassroots venue.
The annual event was this year attended by more than 1,200 guests at the Grosvenor House Hotel in Mayfair.
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Aventus continues hiring spree with ex-Eventim MD
Fast-growing blockchain ticketing company Aventus Systems has hired Rob Edwards, formerly managing director of Eventim UK, as chief operations officer (COO).
Edwards was MD of Eventim UK, the British division of German ticketing giant CTS Eventim, from January 2009 to January 2016, when he left to join Ambassador Theatre Group to oversee its Evolution ecommerce project. Prior to joining Eventim, he was GM/VP of sales in Europe for ticketing software company AudienceView, and previously worked as VP of product and head of technology for Tickets.com in the UK, the Netherlands and Germany.
Edwards’ appointment follows last week’s news that Andrew Ford, a tech industry veteran, had joined Aventus as CMO ahead of the upcoming launch of its Aventus Protocol blockchain.
“Blockchain technology and ticketing are a perfect fit”
“The open-source Aventus Protocol offers the ticketing industry an amazing opportunity to enhance security, combat fraud, and improve efficiency,” comments Edwards (pictured).
“Blockchain technology and ticketing are a perfect fit, and the incredible team behind Aventus who are building a bridge to the blockchain for the ticketing supply-chain through the delivery of tools and blockchain API connectivity make this one of the most exciting opportunities of my career.”
Aventus co-founders Alan Vey and Annika Monari jointly comment: “Rob’s vast ticketing knowledge, network and expertise, combined with his experience with and interest in new technologies, make him a huge asset to the Aventus leadership team.”
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VMS Live partners with Eventim UK
Eventim UK, the UK division of German ticketing giant CTS Eventim, has added independent British promoter/venue management outfit VMS Live to its portfolio of clients.
VMS operates a host of mid-size UK venues, including Manchester Academy (2,600-cap.), Copper Rooms (900+300-cap.) at the University of Warwick and William Aston Hall (1,200-cap.) in Wrexham.
“As we’ve grown and deliver more, we needed a ticketing partner,” says Carl Bathgate, promotions director at VMS Live. “We need access to the best technology and wanted bespoke developments. We selected Eventim for this role, as they have an ideal mix of skills that will allow us to develop and mutually support each other.”
“Eventim’s initiatives tie into our ethos as a business”
James O’Mullan, finance director at Eventim UK, says: “We wanted to work with VMS as they are the fastest growing promoter in the country, and we have experienced exponential growth in 2017. We both have similar ambitions for the future, and working together we will be able to help each other reach those goals.”
“VMS are currently a small business in the context of the major players out there, but we continue to double in size year on year,” adds VMS managing director Steve Forster. “Eventim approached us about a partnership, and their flexible approach and ability to modify their standard offering to suit our business needs convinced us to partner with them.
“Eventim’s initiatives tie into our ethos as a business – in particular we really like FanSALE, their fan-to-fan, fair-price ticketing resale platform. Overall, Eventim just felt right for us at this stage in our development.”
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