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Outback Presents Names Joel Bachkoff To Senior VP Of Comedy
Outback Presents continues to beef up its comedy business with the appointment of Joel Bachkoff as the company’s new Senior Vice President of Comedy, the Nashville-based promoter and talent buyer announced today (Sept. 25).
“Joel and I have worked together for over 20 years,” says Outback Presents co-CEO Brian Dorfman, whom Bachkoff considers an important mentor. “I couldn’t be more excited to have him join Outback’s booking department in this new capacity.”
Bachkoff has spent the better part of his decades-long career in the comedy business. From his beginnings at the club level as an assistant manager to owning and operating multiple music and restaurant venues in Arizona, Florida and California, he comes with a reputation as a leader and innovator in the comedy space.
“I’m thankful to be able to work with Brian and Joel who have dedicated their careers to comedy,” Outback Presents CEO Michael Smardak adds. “I look forward to working with Joel daily on our comedy business.”
Bachkoff has “proven his ability to build long lasting relationships with comics by understanding their needs – which has led to numerous successful and long lasting business partnerships,” according to the Outback Presents announcement.
In the new role, Bachkoff will continue building the careers of comedy talent, developing them from clubs to theaters and then arenas, ultimately paving the way for their continued growth and success. Bachkoff can be reached via email at [email protected].
Among Outback Presents’ most recent successes in the comedy realm are tours with top performers including Nate Bargatze, Bert Kreischer and podcast star Tony Hinchcliffe, whose “Kill Tony” show produced two Madison Square Garden sellouts Aug. 9-10. It’s one of the very few podcasts to make the leap from digital content to hard ticket act.
The shows, the first podcast ever broadcast from Madison Square Garden, were sold out (with seat kills) and the biggest “Kill Tony” live shows to date, selling 25,193 tickets across two nights, averaging 12,596 per night, and grossing a total $2,389,143, according to the box office report submitted to Pollstar.