Live Nation CEO Michael Rapino has given a vote of confidence to the “powerhouse of individual experienced managers” at the company left by an ‘irreplaceable’ Irving Azoff.
Talking to Billboard, when asked about the impact of former chairman Azoff on Monday, Rapino said, “You can't replace Irving Azoff, but the good news is underneath that division is a powerhouse of individual experienced managers, who have over 200 artists on their rosters, experienced pros who have been running their own businesses for years.”
Rapino said that it would be “business as usual” for the rest of the management team.
“These artist divisions were always run as separate businesses,” he added. “The remaining 15-strong management companies have maintained their own independent names, their own independent staff, their own independent rosters. They've been operating independently underneath the Front Line division. They'll continue to run their businesses, I'll continue to support them, and we hope they'll continue to grow, add staff, add to their rosters, and continue to be a key component of our business.”
He added more generally that there would be no more surprises from Live Nation Entertainment, with 2013 being about putting “new Ticketmaster stuff on the table, which is rolling out in June and July.
“The year looks good,” he said. “Our on-sales are tracking way ahead of last year both internationally and in America. [2013] looks like a nice strong year for the concert business.”
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