Rob Wicks named MD of Aberdeen’s P&J Live
ASM Global has announced the appointment of Rob Wicks as managing director of P&J Live in Aberdeen.
Wicks, who will join the venue in June, brings 25 years of experience in the sports and events industry, working with rights holders, brands, host venues, governing bodies, promoters and agencies.
He is currently commercial director at Aberdeen Football Club, where he has been responsible for all football club revenue streams, including partnerships and sponsorships, hospitality, ticketing, retail, memberships, marketing, communications, events and new stadium planning.
“On behalf of everyone at ASM Global, I’d like to warmly welcome Rob to the team,” says Marie Lindqvist, SVP operations Europe at ASM Global. “Rob brings with him decades of experience as a widely-respected, innovative and results-driven leader in the events and sports industries. Having seen great success working with renowned brands, events and organisations in Scotland and beyond, Rob will undoubtedly be a tremendous driving force in his new role as P&J Live, a truly versatile and award-winning venue, looks to the future.”
Wicks, who hails from South Africa and has worked in Europe for the past two decades, has delivered projects and events in 25 countries.
“ASM Global is on a clear growth trajectory and P&J Live is a vitally important part of its European venue portfolio”
“ASM Global is on a clear growth trajectory and P&J Live is a vitally important part of its European venue portfolio, so this a very exciting time to be coming on board,” he says. “I see this as a terrific opportunity to play a leading role in Scotland’s new state-of-the-art event complex achieving its full potential. I already know some of the passionate and talented team who operate the venue and having spent the past five years in Aberdeen, I am able to bring a strong network and range of local experience to the role.
“I am really looking forward to working with the team to build upon the great work they have done to date and enhancing the reputation that the venue has established. A great example of this is the Lewis Capaldi concert in January that delivered Scotland’s highest-ever selling indoor show. This sort of success has definitely put P&J Live on the map and instilled further confidence that the venue – and the region – can deliver.”
Opening in 2019, P&J Live is the largest event complex in the North of Scotland, and has upcoming shows with the likes of Michael Bublé, Elton Joh and Pet Shop Boys.
“Some of the key priorities that I see in the short to medium term are to enhance our key stakeholder relationships, better understand our customer base, look at ways to integrate innovative new technology to enhance the customer journey and ensuring there is an outstanding pipeline of world-class conferences and events to look forward to,” adds Wicks.
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Lewis Capaldi breaks Scottish concert record
Lewis Capaldi has broken the record for Scotland’s highest-selling indoor show.
The 26-year-old Scottish singer-songwriter sold more than 15,000 tickets for his DF Concerts-promoted show at P&J Live in Aberdeen on Monday (23 January), smashing the previous record set by Gerry Cinnamon at the venue in November 2019.
Capaldi, who is represented by Alex Hardee and Ryan Penty of Wasserman Music, was in Aberdeen as part of his 2023 European arena tour.
“Monday’s show was absolutely phenomenal,” says Louise Stewart, interim MD at P&J Live. “The perfect blend of humour and pure talent, Lewis entertained the record-breaking crowd with new music, some classic hits and gave us a few laughs along the way. This is a fantastic accolade for P&J Live and is exactly what the venue was built for.
“We would like to thank DF Concerts & Events for bringing Lewis up the North East of Scotland and to his fans for all their continued support – we couldn’t do it without you. We look forward to continuing to bring a variety of world-class acts to the region.”
“Nearly 15,000 fans from Scotland’s North East standing on the floor has to be seen to be believed”
Operated by ASM Global, the £333 million P&J Live opened in August 2019, replacing the former Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre (AECC). It has upcoming concerts with the likes of Michael Bublé, Elton John and Pet Shop Boys.
“P&J Live was the perfect venue for Lewis’ full-hearted songs and incredible production on his hugely successful arena tour,” adds ASM programming director James Harrison. “Nearly 15,000 fans from Scotland’s North East standing on the floor has to be seen to be believed, a unique sight in UK venues, an incredible atmosphere and a night to remember for everyone that was there.”
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Aberdeen’s P&J Live named Venue of the Year
Scotland’s newest live events venue, Aberdeen’s P&J Live, has picked up a Venue of the Year award.
The 15,000-cap Scottish arena, which is operated by ASM Global, came out on top in the Venue of the Year – More Than 20,000sqm category at the AEO Awards, fending off competition from ADNEC – Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Centre, Excel London, RAI Amsterdam, SEC – Scottish Events Campus, The NEC in Birmingham and The O2 in London.
The event, which is run by the Association of Event Organisers, took place on 24 June at Grosvenor House, Park Lane, London and was hosted by Scottish comedian Kevin Bridges.
“The team very much believes in making small things matter to enable big things to happen”
“We are absolutely thrilled to have picked up this award, especially being such a new venue operationally, while other venues have been open for decades,” says P&J Live MD Nick Waight. “We are lucky to offer a state-of-the-art venue, but the real event delivery is down to the dedicated team of experts in-house who help make the event a reality, and the support of our operating company, ASM Global.
“P&J Live’s team are extremely people-focused, placing great importance on an excellent client customer journey every time. Event organisers and promoters enjoy a seamless experience from sales pitch to event planning and delivery, as well as post-event. The team very much believes in making small things matter to enable big things to happen.”
The £333 million purpose-built venue opened in August 2019, replacing the former Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre (AECC), and has hosted the likes of Rod Stewart, Liam Gallagher, Alice Cooper, Gerry Cinnamon and Michael Bublé. Upcoming concerts include Elton John, George Ezra, Westlife and Justin Bieber.
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