Messina Touring Group Promotes 6

Promotion powerhouse Messina Touring Group announced a half dozen promotions April 22 reflecting “the company’s commitment to innovation, data-driven insights and artist empowerment in the touring industry.”
 
“It thrills me to see our MTG team grow as each of these individuals are incredible at what they do,” CEO Louis Messina, who was inducted in the Pollstar Hall of Fame during the Pollstar Awards ceremony April 16, said.. “Watching them achieve new heights makes me so happy. The success of the entire team and everything they touch is my proudest accomplishment.”

Nick Ayoub has been promoted to Head of Digital Strategy and Operations, leading MTG’s overall digital operations, streamlining internal processes and data strategies to improve efficiency, innovation and long-term growth across the business. Ayoub was on Pollstar‘s Impact: NextGen list in 2024. He leads digital strategy for MTG’s stadium tours, including those by Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran and The Lumineers. His expanded role will involve overseeing the company’s technology, data systems and cross-functional operations, ensuring artists not only have access to their touring data but also the tools to leverage it effectively. 
 
Kara Smoak has been elevated to Director of Digital Marketing, where she will continue to lead digital marketing and creative strategy for MTG’s country roster, including George Strait, Kenny Chesney, Eric Church, Blake Shelton, Old Dominion and Zac Brown Band. Smoak has helped drive the success of more than 100 stadium shows with highlights including Strait’s record-breaking “The King at Kyle Field” with 110,905 in attendance.
 
Meesha Kosciolek has been promoted to Director of Production, MTG Nashville, recognizing his five years of dedication to the company. As a production promoter representative, Kosciolek has worked on major tours for artists including George Strait, Blake Shelton and Eric Church. In his expanded role, Kosciolek will continue to ensure production execution and support the growth of MTG’s production capabilities across its artist roster.
 
Alvin Abshire has been elevated to Digital Operations Manager, bringing his extensive background in leading and scaling operations teams to the role. In his time at MTG, Abshire has played a pivotal role in the creative strategy and digital operations for some of the world’s largest tours, including those by George Strait, Kenny Chesney, Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran and The Lumineers. In this new position, he will focus on driving forward the company’s evolving digital initiatives, streamline cross-functional processes and improve efficiency and support the digital innovation and long-term growth across the business.
 
Lucy Freeman has been promoted to Digital Marketing Manager, driving innovative digital strategies for record-breaking arena and stadium tours, including Ed Sheeran, George Strait and Kenny Chesney. Since joining MTG in 2022, Freeman has been instrumental in marketing over 450 shows, leading paid and organic media campaigns, providing data-driven insights and overseeing creative project management.
 
Madison Machen has been elevated to Manager, Partnerships and Branding, spearheading partnership strategies for major pop and country tours including those by Blake Shelton, Ed Sheeran, George Strait, Kenny Chesney and The Lumineers. With more than eight years in the music industry, Machen specializes in tour marketing, managing key relationships with streaming platforms, content creators and influencers to boost live event visibility, ensuring each tour maximizes visibility by integrating music, technology and social media.