Microsoft Theater & L.A. Live Announce Promotions

– April 2018 Promotions At Microsoft Theater & L.A. Live
Top Row: Don Graham, Russell Gordon, Marie Fulay; Bottom Row: Shelby Russell, Ryan Golden, Sean Otrakul; Center: Morgan Helsom

Microsoft Theater and L.A. Live celebrated the continued success of the venue and the entertainment district by announcing a number of promotions, including Don Graham being named Microsoft Theater general manager.

Graham was most recently the VP of events and production for Microsoft Theater, having been promoted to that position in 2012 after moving up to assistant GM in 2009. He began his career at the 7,100-capacity venue in February 2008 as the director of event production when the building was still known as the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live. 

Russell Gordon has taken on the role of vice president and assistant general manager at Microsoft Theater. He has been with the venue since its grand opening in 2007, starting his career at the theatre as the senior manager, event and guest services. Gordon was promoted to director of guest services and event security in 2009 and he took over management of the venue’s operation’s department and overall event logistics as the senior director, events and venue operations in 2012. 

Marie Fulay’s position at the venue has expanded as the senior director of box office and ticketing to incorporate all ticketing technologies in streamlining the booking, event build and on-sale process for Microsoft Theater clients. She came on board at the theatre in 2007 as the manager of box office operations. 

Shelby Russell has been named the senior vice president, L.A. Live Marketing and L.A. Live Cinemas and he is responsible for marketing initiatives that drive revenue and attendance to the entertainment district’s properties, events and restaurants, as well as overseeing business operations for Regal Cinemas L.A. Live. Russell joined the marketing team at the Staples Center in 1999, a year after coming on board at AEG as the sales coordinator for the Los Angeles Kings. 

Ryan Golden has been promoted to vice president, L.A. Live Events. He has been with AEG since 2006 when he began his career with the company as the marketing manager for AEG Sports. After hold the position of production manager for Microsoft Theater for three years, Golden was the director of business operations for L.A. Live, in which he managed more than 150 annual events including BET Experiences and Nike3on3. 

 

Sean Otrakul is now the manager, marketing, L.A. Live, in which he will oversee the curation and planning for the Dark Nights and Round Up events at L.A. Live. He joined AEG in 2010 as part of the L.A. Live street team. 

Morgan Helsom has been named the assistant manager, marketing L.A. Live after two and a half years with the L.A. Live marketing department. 

The promotions went into effect April 1.

 

Microsoft Theater ranked No. 49 on Pollstar’s 2017 Year End Worldwide Ticket Sales chart for theatre venues with 156,776 in sales. Upcoming shows at the venue include Judas Priest, Paw Patrol Live, Blondie and comedian Russell Peters.