SYDNEY, Australia — The Playbill Group, the venue management business that manages the Hordern Pavilion, a Sydney landmark, has partnered with AEG Presents and Frontier Touring, part of the Mushroom Group.
Moving on, Michael Nebenzahl continues as Playbill's CEO in a “business as usual” arrangement, a joint statement said.
Playbill and Frontier, both Australian, family-run companies proving themselves competitive on the global stage, have a lot in common, Frontier Touring CEO Dion Brandt he says Bulletin board. “When we met Michael and his team, it became clear that the similarities didn't stop there. We think very similarly, have similar values and a similar culture. Both companies care deeply and go the extra mile for their clients, whether it's a theater production, a sports team or a musical artist. Both go out of their way to treat fans well. Both focus on recruiting and developing talented people, care about their people and trust them to deliver every day.”
He adds, “with all the things the companies have in common, the collaboration is natural for both.”
Created in 1958 by Brian and Jocelyn NebenzahlPlaybill's interests include managing the Hordern Pavilion, which this year celebrates its 100th anniversary and will host the ARIA Awards this November for the third consecutive year.
From its grand opening in 1924 until 1983 (when the now-demolished Sydney Entertainment Center first opened its doors), the 5,500-capacity Hordern was the largest indoor venue in the country's largest city. Over the years, the hall has hosted concerts by many global superstars, from Frank Sinatra to Coldplay, Foo Fighters, Nirvana, David Bowie, Queen and the Jackson Five.
Playbill also merchandises theatrical productions, including musicals, national theaters and music companies in 12 countries worldwide, and works with major sports teams and operates venue concessions across the country and Asia.
Playbill's merchandising department has been a “mainstay” of the theater scene in Australia for more than 60 years, Brant notes, “and is now a major force” on the world stage. ,
“I am delighted to partner with AEG Presents and Frontier Touring on this next phase of Playbill's journey,” comments Nebenzahl in a statement. “We are always proud to serve our customers, whether in musical theatre, sports or as an event venue through Hordern Pavilion. In AEG, we found a like-minded partner to continue to honor the legacy my parents created when they founded the business.”
Frontier Touring and AEG Presents, the live entertainment division of AEG based in Los Angeles, formed a strategic joint venture in 2019, formalizing a successful 12-year agreement to tour these venues. With this deal, the award-winning Australian concert specialist has joined a global family whose portfolio includes venues around the world, many at arena and stadium level.
AEG has a long-standing presence here through the then-named AEG Ogden joint venture, the largest venue management company in the Asia-Pacific. In 2019, AEG Facilities, AEG's venue management subsidiary, announced a merger with SMG to create a new management empire called ASM Global, which will bring together more than 300 facilities worldwide under a single brand.
“The Hordern and Frontier have a long-standing relationship bringing the best live music to Sydney,” he comments Anthony DunsfordGM Playbill spaces. “We look forward to continuing our role in bringing iconic acts to fans.”
