AEG Presents taps Matthew Lazarus-Hall for pan-Asia position

Matthew Lazarus-Hall has joined AEG Presents in a pan-Asian executive role.

The veteran Australian live entertainment profession and longtime ally of Michael Chugg becomes senior vice president Asia Pacific with the concerts giant, a role that sees him relocate to Singapore, now home to AEG’s regional headquarters.

Lazarus-Hall will oversee all touring, festivals and sports activities for AEG Presents across the region, reporting to Adam Wilkes, President & CEO, AEG Asia, who will now be based at the live group’s Singapore HQ.

“AEG Presents has shown tremendous growth in other markets like the United Kingdom, Germany, and the United States and I could see the potential once they began developing in Asia and the Pacific region,” said Lazarus-Hall in a statement. “I look forward to working with Adam and the rest of the team as we explore all the new and exciting opportunities ahead.”

Laneway Festival

The news was announced this week at the 2019 Music Matters summit.

After stints with Adelaide Entertainment Centre and Ticketek, Lazarus-Hall joined Chugg Entertainment back in 2004 for what was the start of a thrilling, decade-long ride, during which time the company produced some of the biggest tours and events Australia has seen.

With Lazarus-Hall as CEO and co-director, the concert promoter organised tours for Coldplay, Pearl Jam, Robbie Williams, Dolly Parton, Radiohead, Elton John and many more, and was closely involved in staging the charity events Wave Aid, Sound Relief and Live Earth.

He stepped down as CEO and co-director in 2016 to focus on his young family and start his own consultancy business, Uncommon Cord.

Singapore is familiar turf for the Aussie, who was part of the organising team which debuted Laneway in the city-state in 2011, the first Australian festival brand to test the waters in Asia.

The incoming exec is the perfect fit for the company, explains Wilkes. “With decades of experience in promoting world-class entertainment in the APAC region, Matthew was the ideal executive to lead our growing team,” he said. “We are thrilled to welcome him…into the AEG family.”

The move to Singapore, continued Wilkes, is “precipitated by our continued growth across Asia and Australia. It’s the epicenter of business in the region and establishing AEG’s roots in the city solidifies our commitment to our partners and our growing business.”

AEG has been on the expansion trail in Asia over the past two years, through growth, partnerships and deal-making, including a joint-venture arrangement struck earlier this year with Michael Gudinski’s Frontier Touring. AEG also promoted the Asia leg of Ed Sheeran’s record-busting Divide jaunt, and it’s producing Shawn Mendes Asia tour, which kicks off Sept. 25 in Seoul, South Korea.

Also coming on board at AEG is FLASH Entertainment exec Taylor Agisim, who returns to the company in the capacity of vice president, business development, and Ryan Sandilands, a 20-year-plus pro with executive positions at Cirque du Soleil, Octagon, and the Women’s Tennis Association and others, who’s named vice president, global partnerships.

This article originally appeared on The Industry Observer, which is now part of The Music Network.