News December 5, 2024

Live Performance Australia Appoints Eric Lassen as CEO

Head of Content

Eric Lassen is the new CEO of Live Performance Australia.

A veteran business leader, including stints with Live Nation, a member of LPA, Lassen succeeds outgoing chief executive Evelyn Richardson, who has served in the role for the past 18 years.

Announced Thursday, December 5th, Lassen brings “significant leadership experience to the role,” reads a statement, including service as CEO of PayPal Australia, senior vice president and deputy general counsel at LN, and on a number of not-for-profit boards, including as president of the Music Forward Foundation.

Lassen will take up the role with the trade association in early January 2025.

“Australia is home to some of the world’s best creative talent and arts and business leaders,” he comments, “and I’m keen to work alongside them in building and advocating for a sustainable, successful and growing industry which will excite, engage and entertain current and future generations of Australian and international audiences.”

Evelyn Richardson

In June 2024, Richardson announced her planned exit from LPA after almost two decades, a move that triggered a recruitment drive. In Lassen, the association got its man.

The LPA advocates on behalf of its 400-plus members from across the live entertainment industries, publishes the annual Ticket Attendance and Revenue Report, organises the Helpmann Awards, and more.

With festivals falling over left and right, smaller music venues struggling to stay afloat, and a new phase of late ticket-buying behaviour that’s creating panic with concert organisers, Lassen arrives at a critical time for the live arts and entertainment industry.

‘While audiences have returned in strong numbers since COVID, our members are rebuilding and adapting to the post-pandemic environment, and dealing with a challenging economic and business environment, as well as managing policy and regulatory change,” comments LPA president Richard Evans.

“Eric’s demonstrated leadership experience and ability to successfully navigate complex business, policy and regulatory issues will ensure that LPA stays at the forefront in representing our members’ best interests and supporting their growth and success.”

The industry, remarks Richardson, a guest speaker at the Variety Live Biz breakfast in June, has “grown strongly and evolved significantly over the past couple of decades, notwithstanding the disruption inflicted by the pandemic and other challenges along the way.”

She concludes, “It is driven by the passion and resilience of those who create, produce and present live performance. While the current economic and business climate continues to pose challenges, I have every confidence the industry has a bright future and that LPA will continue to play a leading role as its advocate and champion.”