AEG Hires MSG Entertainment Chief Jay Marciano

Live entertainment giant AEG has hired Madison Square Garden Entertainment president Jay Marciano to lead its vast operations in Europe, it was confirmed Wednesday.

As president and CEO of AEG Europe, Marciano returns to the organization to oversee the company’s 20 music and entertainment venues in nine markets, including the O2 in London; O2 World in Berlin; O2 World in Hamburg; and buildings in Stockholm, Glasgow and Istanbul.

Marciano also will oversee divisions including AEG Europe Ticketing (Outbox) and such sports franchises as German ice hockey teams Eisbaren Berlin and the Hamburg Freezers as well as the Swedish Hammarby Sports Association, which owns and manages Stockholm’s Hammarby Fotboll soccer club.

Related Stories

Movies

Original Power Rangers Reunite in 'Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always' Trailer to Defeat Rita Repulsa

Lifestyle

'The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip' Is Back -- Here's How to Watch the Drama-Filled Third Season

Marciano begins May 9 at AEG and reports to AEG Europe’s board of directors. All of the company’s European businesses will be run by one central management team under him.

Billboard first broke the news of Marciano’s move last week.

Marciano served as chief strategy officer at AEG Live in Los Angeles from March 2003-March 2005, when he was responsible for the development and overall operations of AEG Live’s regional offices and the company’s music festival division, which acquired the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival under his watch. He also was part of the team responsible for conceiving and designing the O2.

“I’ve had the personal and professional pleasure of working with and knowing Jay for many years, and I believe that there is no one in the world more qualified to lead AEG in Europe,” AEG Global president and CEO Tim Leiweke.

“It was critical for us to find a person of his stature that can manage our facilities division, our content division, our entry into the ticking industry as well as our sports and development divisions across Europe.” 

During his six years with MSGE, Marciano oversaw bookings and productions at such renowned venues as Radio City Music Hall, Madison Square Garden, the renovated Beacon Theatre and the Chicago Theatre.

“The opportunity to move to London and work with AEG Europe and at the O2 was too good to resist,” Marciano said. “AEG Europe is a dynamic commercial operation, and the O2 has proved to be one of the world’s most successful venues.”

The O2 arena sold more tickets than any other arena in the world last year for the fourth year running.

Marciano replaces David Campbell, who left AEG in February to become a top executive with Formula One racing. Before his stint at AEG in Los Angeles, Marciano spent 18 years at Universal Concerts, ultimately serving as president and CEO.