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Frank Productions Hires CEO
It’s a dramatic shift for the Frank family – brothers Larry and Fred took over the promotion business from their father, Herb, and have helmed the company since. Larry Frank has been the company’s longtime chief executive while Fred held, and continues to hold, the chief operations officer title. But the company has greatly expanded in the last five years, creating Frank Productions Concerts and adding partners National Shows 2,
– Joel PlantWith the expansion came a desire by Larry and Fred to bring in an outside CEO to handle more administrative duties of parent company Frank Productions Inc., or FPI, and for the brothers to be able to focus more fully on client development and advisory services.
When the change finalizes in January, Larry becomes a co-COO with Fred. Larry emphasizes that the hire of Plant as CEO does not signal that either of the brothers is stepping away.
“FPI provides centralized administration and advisory services for the three concert companies. We have Charlie Goldstone at Frank Productions Concerts, Darin Lashinsky at NS2 and Chris Moore of CMoore Live, and they are all partners,” Larry Frank told Pollstar. “The way we are structured, Charlie and Darin can focus solely on concert promotion and Brian Penix with ABI Management has artist management.
“Fred and I are merely stepping back from administrative management to focus on development and advisory services. Fred and I will continue our duties as owners and directors and will continue as co-COOs. We hired Joel for a new level of organizational structure. He will not be involved in day-to-day concert operations,” Frank said.
In addition to the company’s rapid expansion, FPI is looking forward to developing venues as well, with one project in Madison with Gebhardt Development in the works and two more being negotiated. Plant’s experience in the mayor’s office and his legal background comes in handy at just the right time.
“Joel’s successful experience with organizational management, community engagement, team development and strategic business leadership makes him the ideal fit for our company,” Larry Frank said. “His personality, understanding of our goals and alignment with our business model will serve us well as he leads our company and helps us achieve our vision.”
Plant left the Madison mayor’s office in 2010 to serve as chief of staff for the Milwaukee Police Department. He also taught as an adjunct professor at the University of Wisconsin Law School and served on several community-based boards of directors. He’s also worked as a management consultant for several public and private sector companies, according to a statement.
“The Frank family has worked hard to build an incredible and unique business spanning three generations,” Plant said. “I am humbled to be invited to join their company and become part of the ongoing success and exciting advancements.”