Features
DEAG Acquires Majority In Danish Promoter CSB Island Entertainment
Courtesy of CSB. – CSB’s in-house produced “The Show – A Tribute to Abba”.
The production has toured through 50 different countries over the last 20 years.
DEAG Deutsche Entertainment AG (DEAG) is acquiring 75% of the shares in Danish promoter and producer CSB Island Entertainment via its wholly owned subsidiary DEAG Classics AG.
“This acquisition will significantly expand DEAG’s activities and presence in Scandinavia,” the announcement states.
– Carsten (left) and Kenneth Svoldgaard.
The co-CEOs will remain on board to continue leading their team, which will also remain on board after the DEAG acquisition.
DEAG, who’s been working on events with CSB in the past, expects both “positive synergy effects in the live entertainment business as well as growth impulses for the ticketing business in Scandinavia.”
CSB was founded in 1994 and, by its own admission, is one of the leading promoters and producers in Scandinavia, with around 300 events a year.
DEAG will profit from its partner network in the region, its broad portfolio and the rights to productions and shows CSB own the worldwide rights to.
KISS, James Blunt, Sir Elton John, Kylie Minogue, Placido Domingo, Anna Netrebko, Kris Kristofferson, Sissel Kyrkjebø are only a selection of artists, CSB has been working with across Scandinativa.
Shows including “The Show – A Tribute to Abba,” which has been performed in some 50 countries, “Queen Machine Symphonic” or “Disco Tango Eurovision Show” are among CSB’s own productions.
Company founder and CEO Carsten Svoldgaard as well as CEO Kenneth Svoldgaard will remain shareholders and continue to manage the company in the long term with their team, which will remain on board.
“DEAG has been working closely and successfully with CSB for many years, especially in the UK and Scandinavia but also in the Classics & Jazz sector,” Detlef Kornett, member of the Executive Board of DEAG, commented.
He told Pollstar, “Scandinavia is a very diversified, sizeable, interesting marketplace with a very good venue infrastructure,” which is why he expects “good growth opportunities for our ticketing business in particular,” as well as “synergy effects in our international business.”
– Detlef Kornett
CMO of DEAG.
Pollstar also wanted to know, whether classical concerts in particular are seen a good future investment, seeing that they’re seated anyways, therefore lending themselves well to any distanced concert concept.
Kornett responded, “Classical concerts are compatible with distanced concepts and will come back in full, once the pandemic situation is under control.
“Classical music has a loyal fan base and lends itself to crossover into multiple genres but also audiences. With a bit of time it will be very attractive again for us to be active in this segment.”
He also commented on the digital mindedness observable in the Nordics, saying “the digital mindedness is important for marketing, ticketing and the production itself.
“Digital event formats will become an element of the live entertainment business but will not replace or compete with it, rather compliment the live business.”