Christopher BarrettAEG Presents has promoted Jim King to the role of chief executive officer of AEG Presents UK and European Festivals.
The promotion is part of a management reshuffle that will see former AEG Presents UK CEO Steve Homer transition to a new position as UK touring president at the company, as part of King’s team.
AEG said that King, who was previously CEO of European Festivals, will add oversight of the company’s UK concert promotion business — from arena and stadium tours to club performances — to his remit. King will report to AEG Presents Europe and Asia Pacific president & CEO Adam Wilkes.
AEG Presents said that in his new role, Homer will focus on the UK touring business, “leveraging his long-standing relationships and experience as one of the country’s leading concert promoters”.
King, who is celebrating 30 years in the industry, and marked the anniversary with a career-spanning interview in Access All Areas, said, “It’s a privilege to take on this role at a time when the live entertainment landscape is evolving rapidly. AEG Presents has been my home for nearly 20 years now, and I’ve never been more excited about the opportunities ahead. I’m grateful to Adam and Jay Marciano [AEG Presents chairman & CEO] for their trust in me as we continue to build our business throughout the region with our extraordinary team, and I’m looking forward to working even more closely with Steve as we shape the future of our UK live event strategy.”
Wilkes said, “His vision and leadership have been central to shaping the company’s presence and footprint across the region, and I’m confident that under his guidance we’re well positioned for even greater success in the United Kingdom and across the continent. In addition, I’m thrilled that Steve will pivot to his new role, where he can focus on what he does best — bringing his talents as a gifted concert promoter to our newly realigned business.”
This year has seen King launch the five-day, 35,000-capacity LIDO Festival in London, which was hailed as AEG Presents’ most environmentally sustainable festival to date. Meanwhile, Homer was behind the launch of AEG Presents’ 25,000-capacity, one-day, festival Forever Now at The National Bowl, Milton Keynes, with the content focused on alternative culture across music, fashion and literature.