2024 Women of Live: Melissa Ormond

COO Festivals | AEG Presents
COO | Goldenvoice

Industry vet Melissa Ormond acknowledges Taylor Swift’s “Eras Tour” along with Coachella and Stagecoach festivals as tentpoles for her company but looks to others, like the return of British producer and DJ Fred again.. at the Shrine Expo Hall in Los Angeles and classic rocker Neil Young’s two shows celebrating the 50th anniversary of the iconic Roxy in West Hollywood, California, as high points for 2023.

In her combined roles, Ormond works with the festival teams that produce 30 festivals worldwide including Coachella, Stagecoach, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, British Summer Time/Hyde Park and Electric Forest.

Her areas of oversight include financial planning; marketing and branding; ticketing; sponsorships; health, safety and security; and festival operations.

Ormand’s lengthy history as a concert industry executive includes an early, four-year stint with Delsener/Slater Enterprises – during which time she met and mentored Live Nation Women founder Ali Harnell, who was just entering the business. She went on to learn the business at Universal Concerts and then House of Blues Entertainment, winning Pollstar’s Talent Buyer of the Year award four times before going on hiatus to Europe and returning to work with now-AEG Presents Chairman/CEO Jay Marciano at Radio City Entertainment before they both joined AEG Presents.

Ormond may be one of the veteran women in the industry but recognizes it has a way to go in terms of advancement of women into executive positions.

“The industry has made much progress for women and inclusivity, but we need more women in senior executive positions bringing their differentiating skills and approaches to leadership, strategy, and decision-making,” Ormond says. “The industry needs better policies and benefits for women who choose to be mothers, so we can attract and retain more women at this stage of their lives.’

And when Ormand talks about inclusivity, she means it.

“It’s not just about women. The industry needs to provide access for ALL people to create a more diverse and representative industry to support our diverse Artists and fans.”