AEG Presents Bolsters Portfolio, Partners With Cárdenas Marketing Network

AEG Presents, one of the biggest promoters in the music industry, announced it has purchased a stake in Latin music powerhouse Cárdenas Marketing Network (CMN) that will have the two companies working as partners, a move that will give AEG a larger presence in the thriving live Latin music space.

Financial details of the deal weren’t disclosed, but an official release from AEG, which ranked No. 3 on Pollstar’s 2023 Top 100 Promoters list with $1.38 billion in grosses, stated that through the partnership, “the two companies will work together to create elevated and expanded experiences for both artists and audiences globally, with each benefiting from this complementary strategic alliance.”

Henry Cárdenas, CEO and founder of CMN, said he was “excited” to partner with “one of the most powerful global forces in live entertainment.”

“I have known [AEG Presents Chairman and CEO] Jay Marciano for over 40 years and have deep respect for all his accomplishments and the tremendous business that he has built at AEG Presents. Together we look forward to making an even greater impact on the explosive growth in the Latin market,” Cárdenas said in a statement.

Marciano — whose company has worked with major artists such as Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, The Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, BLACKPINK and Elton John — was just as complimentary of the Latin promoter, saying Cárdenas is “a true entrepreneur and visionary.”

“What he and his team have built is simply awe-inspiring,” Marciano said in a statement. “We have been looking to expand our presence in Latin music and concerts for quite some time, and it was important that we took the time to find the right partner; we found it in Henry and CMN. AEG Presents has always placed a premium on preserving the identity and unique voice of our partner brands while providing them with the support and infrastructure to expand their reach and influence. Cárdenas Marketing Network is the most recognized and trusted name in Latin concert promotion, and we are so proud to welcome Henry and his team to the family.” 

CMN, founded in 2001, is one of the most influential companies in Latin music and sports. The promoter was No. 7 on the most recent Pollstar’s Top 100 Promoters chart with grosses reaching nearly $300 million. They promoted Bad Bunny’s massively successful stadium tour in 2022 as well as Daddy Yankee’s farewell tour, Ana Gabriel, Feid and J. Balvin. CMN currently has Latin icon Luis Miguel on the road and doing remarkable business. Miguel’s tour was No. 22 on Pollstar’s 2023 Year End Top 200 Worldwide Tours with a gross of $94.55 off 47 shows.