LN Exec Pay Ups & Downs

Live Nation released its 2011 annual report to shareholders and announced April 25 it has scheduled its annual meeting, to take place at the House of Blues in West Hollywood, Calif., in June.

The 144-page annual report didn’t contain much of anything new, for those who have been following Live Nation’s quarterly and year-end financial reports. But the shareholders meeting notice, which has “executive compensation” on its agenda, came with a proxy report detailing the ups and downs in the financial fortunes of its executives.

Live Nation CEO Michael Rapino took a hit in 2011, earning fewer stock awards than in the previous year. He earned $11.9 million in 2011, down from $15.9 million a year earlier, according to the SEC filing.

In the meantime, his colleague, LN Executive Chairman Irving Azoff, saw his compensation skyrocket in 2011, from $22.8 million in 2010 to $34.6 million – with the lion’s share coming from “all other compensation” including his ownership interest in Front Line Management, which was purchased by LN last year.

Ticketmaster CEO Nathan Hubbard also saw a reduction in compensation in 2011, earning $4.1 million, down from $5.7 million in 2010.

Shareholders will have the opportunity to OK executive paychecks and other company biz at the annual meeting at HoB Sunset June 8.