Ray Waddell Named OVG Chief Content Director, Andy Gensler Promoted to Pollstar/VN Editor-In-Chief, Jon Guynn Elevated To SVP M&C

Today, in a letter to OVG’s Media & Conferences division, Ray Waddell, President and founder of OVG’s Media & Conferences, announced a restructuring that will see him take on the new role of Chief Content Director. This will allow Waddell to focus on shaping and elevating Pollstar and VenuesNow’s industry-leading platforms, which include award-winning editorial, record-setting events and the most comprehensive live industry data in the business.

“These changes represent an opportunity for me to focus more on the creative side of what we do as we continue driving forward the projects we’re all so passionate about,” Waddell said.  “As part of these changes we have some well-deserved promotions to announce.”

Andy Gensler, executive editor, has been promoted to Editor-in-Chief of both Pollstar and VenuesNow, the live industry’s preeminent media platforms. “Andy has been a cornerstone of our editorial team since 2017,” Waddell said, “as such, he’s led the charge in elevating our content, and I know he’ll continue to lead edit to even greater heights.”  

Additionally, Jon Guynn was promoted to Senior Vice President of OVG Media & Conferences and will take on more responsibilities focused on the strategic direction of the division. “Jon has been a key player behind the scenes,” Waddell continued, “and his dedication and talent make this a well-earned step for him.”

The OVG Media & Conferences division, including Waddell, Gensler and Guynn, will continue reporting to Kristina Heney, Executive Vice President, Marketing, Media & Conferences. “Under Tina’s leadership,” Waddell continued, “we will be bringing more resources focused on enhancing and leveraging our invaluable historical event data and gold-standard Boxoffice reporting.

“These changes reflect our commitment to growth and innovation, along with our corporate mission of positive disruption, and should position this division well for what the future holds. I’m confident that, with each of us taking on these new roles, we’ll be able to greatly benefit the direction and impact of our brands, ensuring we remain at the forefront of the industry and continue delivering exceptional value to our audience. It’s an exciting step forward that will be hugely beneficial as we expand and evolve.”

Since launching in 2016, Waddell has led OVG’s Media & Conferences division, which includes Pollstar and VenuesNow’s media platforms, conferences and industry-leading data, to its greatest success. This includes its renowned annual conferences, which set attendance records under his stewardship while elevating its content; its award-winning publications featuring a vast array of influential artists from every music genre and industry executives from across the business and include its Impact series with its annual Impact 50, Women of Live, International and NextGen (out today) surveys honoring the industry’s most successful, innovative and accomplished executives; and its industry-leading data, which continues to be indispensable tool for the live business.

This year’s VenuesNow Conference, the most important gathering of the facilities business in the live sector, is set for Oct. 15-16 in Phoenix. Pollstar Live!, the largest gathering of live entertainment professionals in the world, was recently announced for Feb. 18-20 in Los Angeles.

Oak View Group (OVG), Pollstar and VenuesNow‘s parent company, was founded by Tim Leiweke and Irving Azoff in 2015 and is the leading developer of major new venues either open or under development across four continents. It is the global leader in live experience venue development, management, premium hospitality services, and 360-degree solutions for a collection of world-class-owned venues and a client roster of arenas, stadiums, convention centers, music festivals, performing arts centers, and cultural institutions.