Appointments

AEG promotes Hill, Wilkes amid international restructuring

Adam Wilkes (L) and Alex Hill (R)

Featured image credit: AEG

Sports and live entertainment company AEG has outlined a realignment of its international business divisions, with promotions for Adam Wilkes and Alex Hill as the firm seeks to better serve its “ambitious strategic growth initiatives around the globe”.

AEG today (Wednesday) said the new management structure will better position it to successfully pursue its continued growth strategy in major international markets. 

Hill will step up to assume leadership of all of AEG’s global real estate and venue operations outside of the United States, in the new position of president and CEO, AEG International. 

Hill, who first joined AEG in 2007, 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, Uber Arena in Berlin and Barclays Arena in Hamburg.

In addition, he assumes responsibility for AEG’s new venue development and operations in Asia Pacific and other international regions outside the United States. Having successfully led AEG’s European operations since 2019 – prior to which he served as chief operating officer and chief financial officer – Hill will report to AEG’s president and CEO, Dan Beckerman.

Wilkes will assume responsibility for AEG Presents’ regional operations in Asia-Pacific and Europe, in the new position of president and CEO of AEG Presents, Europe and Asia-Pacific. Wilkes, who has been instrumental in building the company’s footprint in Asia-Pacific since joining AEG in 2011, initially as senior vice-president of Asia music and touring, will take on an expanded role, overseeing its European regional offices. 

Wilkes will report to AEG Presents chairman and CEO, Jay Marciano, and will relocate from Singapore to London later this year. Wilkes and Hill will assume their new positions on February 1.

“This new management structure aligns our international organisation 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 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.”

Beckerman added: “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 said its new management structure marks a significant next step in its business strategy, strengthening the company’s focus on international growth and enhancing its ability to meet growing international demand for live entertainment. The move is intended to better align AEG’s resources, global music network and expertise to drive operational excellence across the business. 

“As the live entertainment industry continues its unprecedented global growth, ensuring seamless integration across our regions is critical to our success,” said Marciano. “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.”

With his successful track record overseeing the growth of AEG’s business and operation of its marquee venues in Europe, AEG said Hill will be well-suited to ensure the success of the company’s new venues coming on-line in Asia, such as UOB Live in Bangkok, which opened up last year, and the soon to be opened IG Arena in Nagoya, Japan.

Hill 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.

Wilkes has been instrumental in building AEG Presents’ footprint in Asia Pacific, transforming it into a cornerstone of the company’s global operations. Since joining AEG in 2011 as part of the company’s initial expansion into Asia, he has played a pivotal role in establishing AEG’s presence in the region.

Over the past 15 years, Wilkes has spearheaded major initiatives, including a strategic joint partnership with Frontier Touring, the development of UOB Live, and IG Arena. He has also delivered record-breaking tours with global superstars and premier sporting competitions.

In his new role, Wilkes will oversee AEG Presents’ operations across Europe and Asia-Pacific, collaborating closely with Hill. Together, AEG said they will align the company’s international concert promotion strategies, expand its portfolio of venues, and pursue new business opportunities.

In Europe, one of AEG’s key future projects is in Edinburgh. Scotland’s capital is set to receive its first major arena after AEG Europe in June secured approved planning permission for a new 8,500-capacity venue which it claims will become the most sustainable in the UK.

AEG Europe is working with developers and site owners Parabola on the new arena, which will span 18,500 square metres of regeneration project area of Edinburgh Park to the west of the capital.