Jason Rio Named ASM Global SVP Of Live Entertainment, Content Development

Industry veteran Jason Rio has been named ASM Global senior vice president of live entertainment and content development, the company has announced. 

In the role, Rio will lead expansion of its live event programming and seek new opportunities to develop live entertainment product for ASM’s worldwide portfolio.

“ASM managed venues generate the most events per venue in our industry. Our goal is to enhance what has been a record number of performances in 2023 and continue to increase programming so that we deliver an even wider array of profitable events in our managed properties,” President and CEO Ron Bension said in the announcement.

Rio will lead ASM’s live content development, which includes strategy, event booking, new product inventory for ASM Global Arenas, Stadiums and Theaters. He brings strong concert promoter expertise ranging from his time at Live Nation where he was president of Live Nation Houston and VP of Live Nation Chicago, to his most recent assignment as VP of Music for the Ambassador Theatre Group.

“ASM is at a major point in their storied history and I’m incredibly excited to join the team to help guide the company into the future,” Rio said.  “As the venue management space becomes more competitive, I look forward to working with Ron, Doug Thornton and our global team as we continue to shape ASM’s strategy so we can continue to be first in class. We put a high value on the relationships we have with all our promoter partners and we want to make sure we are the best teammate we can be moving forward.”

Prior to being a concert promoter, Rio was an artist manager for over 20 years where he represented platinum and gold selling artists such as The Fray, Liz Phair, Michelle Branch, Motion City Soundtrack, Jack’s Mannequin and Mat Kearney. 

Rio also served as President Barack Obama’s America’s Talent Surrogate Director, during Obama’s re-election campaign in 2012 and his subsequent inauguration in 2013.

Bension added, “Jason’s incredible ability to engineer collaborative partnerships with key artists, agents and promoters during the course of his three decades in the music business is a perfect fit for maintaining and developing new inventory.”