TOKYO, May 24, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Live
Nation Entertainment, the world's leading live entertainment
company, signals its ongoing investment in Asia as the company's Japan team announced the hiring of long-time
talent buyer James Smith as VP,
Touring and Festivals. Based in Tokyo, Smith will focus on attracting top
global artists to Live Nation's growing number of events across
Japan, and will report to
John Boyle, President, Live Nation
Japan.
For over 10 years Smith has been at the forefront of the music
and entertainment industry, successfully securing premiere talent
for Japan's largest outdoor music
festival, Fuji Rock – which draws over 100,000 fans annually, and
has featured international headliners such as Kendrick Lamar, Major
Lazer, The XX, and APhex Twin. Smith has also been
instrumental in spearheading multiple international tours for
artists such as James Blake, Grimes,
and Bonobo, playing a crucial role in securing and introducing
Japan's market to newly emerging
talent, while connecting artists with this expanded fan base.
Live Nation currently operates across 10 markets
in Asia including China, Hong
Kong, Indonesia, Japan, The
Philippines, Singapore, South
Korea, Taiwan and Thailand. There is a strong demand
for international talent across these regions, and most recently,
Live Nation's Bruno Mars 24K Magic
World Tour sold out 14 shows across 7 cities throughout
Asia.
"James's knowledge of Japan's
music industry runs deep, and he has a true passion to unite
artists with fans, existing and new," said Boyle. "His dedication
and expertise makes him the perfect addition to Live Nation's team
to help us expand our business as we continue to meet the growing
demand for international concerts in Asia. I can't wait to see what amazing shows
we create together for the people of Japan thanks to his extraordinary vision."
"My ultimate goal is to bring acts from all over the world to
Japan, which is why I'm so excited
to be joining Live Nation entertainment and begin tapping into
their unparalleled artist pipeline," said Smith. "There is enormous
potential in this market and I plan to maximize these opportunities
for growth with a hands-on and artist-centric approach."
About Live Nation Entertainment
Live Nation
Entertainment (NYSE: LYV) is the world's leading live entertainment
company comprised of global market leaders: Ticketmaster, Live
Nation Concerts, and Live Nation Sponsorship. For additional
information, visit www.livenationentertainment.com.
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SOURCE Live Nation Entertainment