Feldman Agency to launch open-air venue in Toronto
Canada’s The Feldman Agency is opening a new 9,000-seat open-air venue in the capital city of Toronto.
The Bowl at Sobeys Stadium will be located in the eponymous multipurpose sports and entertainment complex, best known for hosting one of the top tennis tournaments in the world, the National Bank Open.
In partnership with Tennis Canada, the venue will open in May 2024 for concerts with “some of the biggest names in music and entertainment”.
According to a release, The Bowl will offer more than 5,000 square feet of retail space for concessions, as well as as onsite bar and lounge and 20 top-scale executive lounges.
“Toronto needed another outdoor concert space for both domestic and international talent”
“After nearly 50 years of booking our talent in some of the world’s biggest and best venues, we know what performers and fans want, and The Bowl at Sobeys Stadium has what it takes,” says Jeff Craib, CEO of The Feldman Agency. “With a comparable concert business to New York, Los Angeles and Chicago, Toronto needed another outdoor concert space for both domestic and international talent. We can’t wait to open our doors in 2024 to welcome some of the world’s leading performers and thousands of their fans.”
Tennis Canada CEO Michael Downey adds: “The concert series is an exciting new initiative for Tennis Canada. The opportunity to partner with The Feldman Agency and bring music to The Bowl at Sobeys Stadium will enable us to showcase our world-class venue to a whole new audience. Hosting concerts in our stadium will allow us to experience the best of both worlds, exploring new entertainment streams while staying true to our mission of growing tennis year-round – with our programs continuing to run throughout the year on our indoor and outdoor courts at Sobeys Stadium.”
With offices in Toronto and Vancouver, The Feldman Agency represents artists including Michael Bublé, Nelly Furtado, Shania Twain, Simple Plan and Sum 41.
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Canadian Live Music Association appoints new board
The Canadian Live Music Association (CLMA) announced a new board of directors at its fifth annual general meeting on Thursday 10 October.
The association, headed up by CEO Erin Benjamin, shared the year’s achievements, including its retirement of the former Music Canada Live brand and relaunch as the CLMA.
“Our new name and brand clearly reflect who we are and will strengthen our ability to advocate on behalf of our sector, our amazing members and deepen relationships with our many valued partners,” commented board chair Jesse Kumagai at the meeting.
The newly elected 2019-2020 board members are Sam Baijal, artistic director of Ontario’s Hillside Festival; Kerry Clarke, artistic director of Calgary Folk Music Festival; Tao-Ming Lau, founder of Blue Crane agency; entertainment lawyer Miro Oballa; and Katy Venneri, director of the Juno Awards.
“Our new name and brand clearly reflect who we are”
The CLMA thanked outgoing founding board members Jean Wilkinson (APA), Neill Dixon (Canadian Music Week), Tom Kemp (Feldman Agency) and Michael Hollett (NXNE) for their contributions.
Over the year, the CLMA engaged in issues including secondary ticketing, safety and security at live events, harassment and bullying in the workplace, artists’ career development and the future of grassroots music venues.
In March, the Canada Arts Presentation Fund received a CAN$16 million boost in funding from the federal government, in a move lauded by the CLMA.
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TFA promotes Kemp, Baskin within senior leadership
Canadian entertainment talent agency the Feldman Agency (TFA) has announced a string of executive promotions and appointments, following the agency’s acquisition in February.
Tom Kemp has been promoted to senior vice president, joining Vinny Cinquemani as two of TFA’s longest standing agents. Kemp acquired the agency, along with president Jeff Craib, from founder Sam Feldman earlier this year.
Joel Baskin takes on the role of vice president, continuing with his responsibilities in artist representation and talent buying.
“I am honoured to work with an amazing team as well as an esteemed stable of artists, managers and partners at TFA,” says Baskin. “I look forward to working with the team to implement new strategies and ways to grow and maximise our clients live touring business for continued success.”
The appointments follow the recent promotion of Olivia Ootes to vice president of operations, after more than 20 years experience at the agency.
“These are all exciting and well-deserved personnel changes, further strengthening what I believe is already a strong and cohesive team”
Elsewhere, the company has promoted employees M’Kaylah Fridal and Izzy Martin within its general administration team and added Adam Shnitzer to its agent roster. The agency has also made new appointments in its financial and entertainment partnerships team, with Chris Lombos joining as controller and Morgan Claringbold as sales coordinator.
“These are all exciting and well-deserved personnel changes, further strengthening what I believe is already a strong and cohesive team,” comments TFA president Jeff Craib.
Co-founded in 1971 by Feldman and business partner Bruce Allen, TFA’s roster includes Diana Krall, Carly Rae Jepsen and Bryan Adams. Following Craib and Kemp’s acquisition, Feldman retains control of Macklam Feldman Management, which represents James Taylor and Elvis Costello.
Feldman also remains involved with management firm Watchdog, booking agency Bruce Allen Talent, and INF Influencer Agency and its parent company A&F Music.
The agency has offices in Vancouver and in Toronto, where TFA co-owners Kemp and Craib operate.
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The Feldman Agency execs acquire company
Sam Feldman, founder of Canada’s the Feldman Agency (TFA), has sold the business to the agency’s president, Jeff Craib, and vice-president, Tom Kemp.
The agency, which books acts including Diana Krall, Barenaked Ladies, Sum 41, Carly Rae Jepsen and Alessia Cara from its offices in Vancouver and Toronto, was co-founded by Feldman and his business partner, Bruce Allen, in 1971.
Feldman continues to lead Macklam Feldman Management, which represents James Taylor, Ry Cooder, Elvis Costello and Sarah McLachlan and was not included in the TFA acquisition. Feldman also remains involved with management firm Watchdog, booking agency Bruce Allen Talent, and INF Influencer Agency and its parent company A&F Music, he tells FYI Music News.
“Over the last few years, the agency business has gravitated to Toronto, so it makes sense to turn it over to the guys that are hands on running it out there,” he comments. “Jeff and Tom have been with the company a long time and have played a considerable part in its growth.
“They have excellent people on the team, including Olivia Ootes [recently promoted to VP of operations] and Vinny Cinquemani, along with a most prestigious roster. I am confident that they will demonstrate the leadership skills to be enormously successful and grow the legacy exponentially.”
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TFA promotes Olivia Ootes to VP of operations
Canadian talent agency The Feldman Agency (TFA) has announced the promotion of Olivia Ootes from director to vice president of operations.
In her new role, Ootes continues to work closely with senior staff on company structure, as well as overseeing the administration of day-to-day operations, including staffing, IT, budgeting and the intern programme.
Ootes has worked at TFA for over 20 years, joining the company’s Toronto office as a junior coordinator in 1998. She moves from the position of director of operations, which she held for five years.
Alongside agent and senior vice president, Vinny Cinquemani, Ootes works directly with leading Canadian artists including Bryan Adams, Burton Cummings, Michael Bublé and David Foster.
“The commitment to growing careers internally, as well the quality of work happening here, has made TFA one of the most reputable companies in the industry”
“Olivia and I have worked closely together for many years and she has been a key player in the development and career of many of Canada’s premiere artists,” says Cinquemani.
Ootes comments: “I am honoured to move into this increased leadership position at TFA, which has been a supportive and encouraging home to me. The commitment to growing careers internally, as well the quality of work happening here, has made TFA one of the most reputable companies in the industry.”
Talent agency and management group TFA has over 40 years experience in the entertainment business, representing artists including Diana Krall, Carly Rae Jepsen, Badbadnotgood and Jann Arden. TFA has offices in both Toronto and Vancouver.
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