Features
AEG Names Gary Gersh President Of New Global Touring Division, Adds Rich Schaefer, Rich Holtzman
– Gary Gersh
AEG Presents
AEG Presents is expanding its touring operations with industry veteran Gary Gersh taking the role of president of AEG Presents Global Touring and Talent, overseeing all aspects of the promotions and venue giant’s worldwide touring operations and talent relations.
“Global Touring has always been at the core of AEG Presents, and with the increase in the number of artists who have developed global fan bases, it was clear we needed to further develop this critical division,” said Jay Marciano, Chairman & CEO, AEG Presents. “Gary’s extensive background as an accomplished label president, artist manager and touring executive made him the obvious choice to spearhead the expansion of our touring division. His plan to centralize tour operations to more closely align with our growing international network of touring producers will further establish AEG as a leader in global touring.”
Gersh previously served as CEO of The Artist Organization (TAO) management firm, where his clients were Soundgarden, Portugal. The Man, John Legend, Lenny Kravitz, Counting Crows, Tears for Fears, Chromeo, Animal Collective, Billy Talent, Death From Above and MSTRKRFT.
“Throughout my career, my passion has always been in artist development, as well as building the teams necessary to execute on their unique vision,” Gersh said, “Live entertainment is an interesting conversation for artists and audiences alike these days as it continues to grow and morph quickly. Working closely with Jay and the entire AEG team over these past years has been an incredible experience, and I am very excited by all of the opportunities that lie ahead as we assemble the best global touring team at this time of incredible opportunity.”
AEG Presents also announced that industry executive Rich Schaefer will join the new Global Touring division as Sr. Vice President, Global Touring and Rich Holtzman as Sr. Vice President of Artist Development and Marketing.
Based in New York, Schaefer most recently was co-founder/partner of LoyalT Management, where he helped to guide the careers of performers including Chromeo, Lord Huron, Animal Collective, Sigrid and Aurora. At The Artists Organization, he worked with John Legend, Lenny Kravitz, Soundgarden and Tears For Fears amongst others.
Having made a career in artist development, Holtzman has worked closely with many artists, including as manager of Portugal. The Man over the past 12 years. Holtzman has spent years as a senior executive at independent record labels and most recently served as an executive at StubHub, where he changed their music agenda to work more closely with artists and their teams. He will be based in Los Angeles.
In addition to Schaefer and Holtzman, rounding out the senior management team for the new Global Touring division are longtime AEG Presents executives Larry Vallon, Executive Vice President; Debra Rathwell, Senior Vice President; Ali Harnell, Senior Vice President; Bobby Reynolds, Senior Vice President; and Cody Lauzier, Vice President/General Manager of Global Touring.
“I am also thrilled to be working with Rich and Rich again and look forward to their contributions within the group,” added Gersh. “Our time together at The Artists Organization proved what a great team we can be, and I am confident this will continue in our new roles.”
Some current employees will transition into the new Global Touring division. including Nicole Neal, who has been promoted to VP of Marketing, and Jonny Shuman, Global Talent Buyer, who worked most recently for AEG Presets Rocky Mountains and will now be an L.A.-based talent buyer. Additionally, Global Talent Buyers Rob Owens, Elliot Lefkowitz and Casey McCabe will now work within the Global Touring division along with Lindsay Dworman, who has been promoted to Touring Coordinator.
Brands including Goldenvoice, Bowery Presents, Concerts West, Messina Touring Group, Marshall Arts LTD, and Madison House Presents will continue to operate separately, as part of AEG Presents.