Live Nation strengthens NZ executive team
Just weeks after acquiring a majority stake in the Rhythm & Vines festival, Live Nation has made strategic changes to its senior leadership there.
Stuart Clumpas has been named chairman of Live Nation New Zealand.
The Scotsman made a name for himself in the local live music industry scene where, aside from his passion for vintage car racing and flying his own plane, he ran the T In The Park festival.
He emigrated to New Zealand 16 years ago, adding “I’m very positive about this new challenge.
“The New Zealand music business has grown in leaps and bounds over the past two decades, and this new role gives me the opportunity to make sure that Live Nation is at the forefront of ensuring that growth continues in the future.”
Clumpas also wants to put more of a distinctive stamp on the New Zealand concert sector.
“Whilst we will always be close geographically to our cousins in Australia, the demographics of the two countries have moved in different paths over the past 20 years,” he says.
“It’s time to capitalise and build on that in a positive fashion for New Zealand.”
In other changes to the New Zealand operations, Rick Latham and Steve Wheadon are appointed to the new roles of head of operations and head of production respectively.
Mark Kneebone moves up to head of promotions, overseeing strategic event and talent development as well as marketing.
Live Nation Australasia CEO Roger Field added: “New Zealand is a valuable and vibrant entertainment market, and it’s time it is recognised for its importance and growth potential it the region.
“These appointments demonstrate our commitment to New Zealand, and our objective of bringing more events, to more people across the country.”
Three years ago, Live Nation bought into the 12,000-capacity Spark Arena in Auckland (which is run by the LN NZ executive team), and partnered with Texas-based C3 Presents to stage Auckland City Limits.
Yesterday, the NZ financial media reported that the local Ticketmaster arm (owned by Live Nation) saw profits jump 143% to NZ$5.1 million last calendar year after sales growth outpaced costs.
Sales revenue grew from $31.5 million to $42 million.
Cost of sales were up almost 27 percent to $19 million, with the most significant rises coming from commissions and venue rebates, which rose from $6.9 million to $10.2 million.