Christopher BarrettAEG has announced a restructuring of its international divisions as part of a strengthening of the company’s focus on international growth.
The realignment sees former AEG Asia Pacific president & CEO Adam Wilkes (pictured) take up the new position of president and CEO of AEG Presents Europe & Asia-Pacific. AEG said Wilkes has been instrumental in building the company’s footprint in Asia-Pacific since joining the company in 2011 as part of the company’s initial expansion into Asia. The new role will see him expand his reach to also oversee AEG Present’s European regional offices. He will relocate from Singapore to London later this year.
Over the past 15 years, Wilkes has led major initiatives in Asia including a partnership with Frontier Touring, the development of Bangkok’s UOB Live, and Nagoya’s soon-to-open IG Arena.
AEG Europe CEO Alex Hill will step up to assume leadership of all of AEG’s global real estate and venue operations outside of the US, in the new position of president and CEO, AEG International.
AEG said Hill will remain in London and will continue to oversee AEG’s European sports teams and its venue and real estate portfolio, including The O2 in London and German properties in Berlin and Hamburg. In addition, he assumes responsibility for AEG’s new venue development and operations in Asia Pacific and other international regions outside the US.
Hill (pictured right) will oversee new AEG venues coming on-line in Asia, such as UOB Live in Bangkok and the soon to be opened IG Arena in Nagoya, Japan. He will also be focused on advancing other on-going projects such as the Bangkok Mall Arena and the arena-anchored entertainment district project planned for the redevelopment of the Osaka Expo Park. He has led AEG’s European operations since 2019, prior to which he served as COO and CFO.
Wilkes and Hill will assume their new positions on February 1, 2025. AEG said together, they will align the company’s international concert promotion strategies, expand its portfolio of venues, and pursue new business opportunities.
“This new management structure aligns our international organization with our corporate business and allows us to better focus our resources to best manage our existing businesses while also achieving our ambitious strategic growth initiatives around the globe,” said AEG president and CEO Dan Beckerman. “By ensuring that our talent is focused on the right opportunities, we will be well positioned to deliver growth, as well as new experiences and innovative services for our global artists, partners and fans.
“We have tremendous confidence in Adam and Alex, both of whom are seasoned strategic leaders with proven track records. Their understanding of our customers and markets, their deep industry experience, and their newly restructured responsibilities will position them to continue driving AEG’s international growth.”
AEG Presents chairman and CEO Jay Marciano, “As the live entertainment industry continues its unprecedented global growth, ensuring seamless integration across our regions is critical to our success. Adam’s track record in building markets, coupled with his strategic vision and operational expertise, makes him the ideal leader to drive AEG Presents’ international expansion in Europe, further strengthening our global business.”