OVG Announces Booking Director, Marketing VP For Coachella Valley

Drew Gershenson
 – Drew Gershenson
director of booking for Coachella Valley Arena.

Oak View Group, Pollstar‘s parent company, has announced two key hires in relation to Coachella Valley Arena, scheduled to open in late 2022,  with Drew Gershenson named director of booking for the arena and Gina Rotolo named vice president of marketing and communications for hockey tenant Coachella Valley Firebirds.

“We are ecstatic to add an individual with Gina [Rotolo]’s experience as we continue to compile our team of top-end talent with the Coachella Valley Firebirds,” Steve Fraser, president of Coachella Valley Arena and Coachella Valley Firebirds, said in a statement. “Our goal for a winning franchise is building out a strong foundation for this organization and growing our presence throughout Southern California.”

Rotolo assumes the role effective immediately,  with Gershenson starting Jan. 25, 2022. 

Rotolo will report to Fraser while Gershenson will report to JoAnn Armstrong, vice president of programing at Coachella Valley Arena. Her responsibilities as vice president of marketing and communications for the Coachella Valley Firebirds will include building marketing, publications, and social teams in addition to overseeing facility presentation and broadcasting personnel. She will also focus on creating marketing and communication strategies in order to help build the brand of the team along with its fanbase and community to drive revenue. Prior to her new role, Rotolo had been a consultant representing clients that included the National Hockey League (NHL), Live Nation, Houston Astros and Door Dash.  

“I am excited to be a part of Oak View Group and the Coachella Valley Firebirds,” Rotolo said in a statement. “I look forward to working alongside this talented group of leaders tapped to bring hockey and entertainment to the Coachella Valley. I am eager to build the Firebirds brand and create an impact through innovative marketing and communications strategies along with a core focus of fostering roots within the local community, with the Seattle Kraken, and with hockey fans around the world.” 

Gina Rotolo
 – Gina Rotolo
VP of Marketing & Communications, Coachella Valley Firebirds

Gershenson had previously served as the director of programming for ASM Global’s Paycom Center in Oklahoma City. Before his role at ASM Global, he had also spent 10 years with Live Nation as a senior tour director. His responsibilities as the director of booking for Coachella Valley Arena will have him overseeing programming for all concerts, family shows and special events in addition to facilitating the AHL hockey schedules.

“We look forward to Drew [Gershenson] joining the programming team,” Armstrong said in a statement. “Continuing to build out a cohesive team is a key part of our strategic vision in making Coachella Valley Arena a must-play major destination for the biggest artists, concerts, and sporting events in the world once our 11,000-seat venue opens later next year.”

“I’m honored to be joining an amazing team to help bring this dynamic new arena to live,” Gershenson said in a statement. “Palm Springs is on the verge of an entertainment explosion, and I’m thrilled to be a part of the team to take it over the top. Coachella Valley Arena will be the premier destination to see top-notch entertainment.”

In addition to becoming the new home of the Coachella Valley Firebirds, an affiliate of the NHL’s Seattle Kraken who play at OVG’s Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, the Coachella Valley Arena’s 11,500+ seat venue will also be a concert space. The Coachella Valley Arena has been privately funded through OVG, Seattle Kraken and Live Nation. 

Since opening earlier this year, Seattle’s Climate Pledge Arena has hosted performances from the likes of Coldplay, Eric Church, Eagles and more.