Venue development, advisory and investment company the Oak View Group (OVG) has expanded its operations with the launch of OVG International, based in London.
OVG International will explore arena and stadium development and partnership opportunities in the UK, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, and says that it is already in advanced discussions on a number of projects.
Oak View Group was founded in 2015 by heavyweight live entertainment execs Irving Azoff and Tim Leiweke who announced the news while speaking at the International Live Music Conference in London today (March 6).
The company was reported to have received $100m investment from technology investment firm Silver Lake at the start of 2018.
As part of its launch, the company has also made a number of executive and non-executive appointments, including Jessica Koravos (pictured left) as Co-Chair of OVG International alongside Tim Leiweke.
Meanwhile, Sam Piccione III has been hired as President of OVG International, Mark Donnelly as Chief Operating Officer and Brian Kabatznick, EVP Business Development & Facilities (pictured right).
Marc-Elie Robert has been appointed SVP Commercial, Martha Rolle as Legal Counsel and Gary Hutchinson as Stadium Consultant.
In addition to major arena development projects at the Key Arena in Seattle, Belmont in New York, and The University of Texas in Austin, Oak View Group runs the Arena and Stadium Alliance.
The alliance is an invitation-only partnership of 28 arenas in North America that enables independent venues to attract global sponsorship opportunities, additional events and content, and ‘achieve efficiencies of scale that are otherwise only available to large groups’.
“Our venues will be an elite class in terms of fan experience, artist experience and technology and will provide an unparalleled platform for the activation of global brands.”
Tim Leiweke
Tim Leiweke, co-founder and Chief Executive of Oak View Group, said: “Oak View Group is growing rapidly, and we’re delighted to welcome seven exceptional executives to our team as we launch OVG International.
“Our aim is to create a new generation of state-of-the-art entertainment facilities.
“Our venues will be an elite class in terms of fan experience, artist experience and technology and will provide an unparalleled platform for the activation of global brands.”
Added Leiweke: “The live events market has grown significantly in the United States since Oak View Group launched three years ago, and we see a huge opportunity to drive similar growth internationally by creating world-class experiences in world-class arenas.
“We look forward to extending the Arena and Stadium Alliance to like-minded venues outside North America and to announcing more about OVG International’s plans soon.”Music Business Worldwide
