AEG Presents Global Touring Announces Series Of Promotions & Hires

Promotion company AEG Presents announced a series of promotions and new hires to their Global Touring Division. Caleb Merrell and Laurel Hilburn, who previously served as Tour Directors, have been elevated to Senior Tour Director. Ryan Erickson, who was formerly at Live Nation as a tour marketer, joins the division as Senior Director of Marketing, and Emily Harenza, formerly a Senior Project Manager at Paramount, joins on as Director, Digital Marketing.

“Laurel and Caleb have played integral roles in our touring operation, and we’re proud to promote them to Senior Directors,” Rich Schaefer, President of Global Touring at AEG Presents, said in a statement. “We’re equally excited to welcome Ryan and Emily’s expertise to the marketing team, a group that continuously innovates in service of our artists and their tours.”

Merrell and Hilburn will be based in Nashville, with Merrell reporting to SVP of Production and Direct Support, Jonathan Baden. During his tenure as Director of Touring, Merrell had been on the road with AEG Presents’ tours and helped forged systems within producing K-Pop tours.

“It’s an honor to be part of this world class team that continues to expand our reach with record breaking artists,” Merrell said in a statement. “I am thankful for the opportunity to grow within AEG professionally, and I look forward to many more years to come.”

Hillburn will report to SVP of Touring, Jenny Heifetz Henault. Hillburn began as a Contracts Administrator and has held a variety of positions within the company, including Booking Assistant, Project Manager for the AEG Presents Nashville Office, and as a touring rep overseeing finance and production needs on the road. Her most recent role was serving as Tour Director.

“Working on tours at this level is something I never could have imagined when I started at AEG so many years ago,” Hilburn said in a statement. “I consider myself lucky to be part of the Global Touring team and its success over the last five-plus years and am looking forward to what lies ahead.

Erickson will be based in AEG Presents’ Los Angeles office, where he will report to SVP of Marketing & Artist Development, Rich Holtzman. Erickson’s responsibilities will include leading marketing on major tours.

“I’m so excited to join AEG Presents Global Touring team,” Erickson said in a statement. “I’ve always been driven to help artists achieve their touring visions and connect with their fans worldwide. I’m grateful to build on that work and contribute to AEG’s continued impact across the global touring landscape. There truly is nothing like the experience of live music.”

Harenza will be based in the New York office, reporting to Sr. Director of Marketing, Victoria Cappelli Greiner. Harenza’s marketing career began at AC Entertainment, where she worked with several festivals including Bonnaroo. She then worked in tour marketing at Mick Management, before project-managing Kids & Family campaigns at Paramount, including NFL initiatives and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

“I’ve always loved connecting fans and touring artists through strategic, creative digital campaigns,” Harenza said in a statement. “And I’m so excited to be back in the music world doing just that with AEG Presents’ Global Touring division.”