We round up the latest movements from the ticketing sector and associated industries…
Jeanene Valentine (pictured left) has announced she is leaving Major League Soccer (MLS) club Inter Miami CF to become the senior director of ticket sales and premium for a new National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) team in San Diego.
She wrote on LinkedIn: “This past Saturday was the last home match of the 2021 season for Inter Miami CF. Although we didn’t grab three points at the final whistle, the amazing fans were out and sent the team off in championship fashion.
“I’d like to thank Rob Zuer and Roy Tewell lll for the opportunity to join Elevate Sports Ventures and Inter Miami CF to open yet again another beautiful stadium. Although we were unable to celebrate the opening of DRV PNK Stadium together, we created a great foundation and legacy for others to build from.
“With that, I’d like to announce that I have officially started the next chapter in my career. I am completely over the moon for this one! That’s right! I’m heading back to my sweet home, California! I am both pleased and honoured to announce my new role as Sr. Director of Ticket Sales and Premium for the new NWSL team in San Diego!”
San Diego NWSL is a budding women’s team that is set to play in the NWSL from 2022 onwards.
Valentine has not only been the director of ticket operations with Inter Miami and Elevate for the last five years, but has also been the director of ticket operations for Minnesota United FC and the ticket office manager for US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, as well as the senior manager of ticket operations for Sacramento Republic FC.
US-based Creative Arts Agency (CAA) is promoting nine employees to agent or executive within its music touring department.
Zack Borson, Alex Douma, Kara Enos, Omar Garcia, Brian Greenwood, Brad Pophal and Jamie Shaughnessy have all been promoted to the role of agent.
Kaitlyn Bruce and Ariel Happe have been promoted to executives within the music touring department.
Rob Light, CAA’s head of music, told Billboard: “The entire team has worked tirelessly on behalf of our clients – their creativity and teamwork continues to serve the passions, needs, interests and dreams of the incredibly talented artists we work with.
“Each of the nine people joining our agent and executive ranks today has earned their place among our talented colleagues.”
Elsewhere and Live Nation has hired Jay Byrd (pictured right) as a global tour promoter within its concerts team.
Byrd will be responsible for a number of existing tours in his new role, including ASAP Rocky, Lil Baby, Logic and more. He will also look to build new relationships with artists and booking tours for North America and international tours across the globe.
Omar Al-joulani, head of Live Nation concerts’ talent and touring, said: “Throughout his career, Jay has proven that he can’t be stopped. He has an incredible drive and passion that we are excited to continue to foster at Live Nation.
“We are always looking for the best and the brightest, and there is no doubt Jay is going to create incredible opportunities for any touring artists he works with.”
In 2015, Byrd moved to CAA where he worked with artists including Lil Wayne, Common, Jason Derulo, Queen Latifah, Corinne Bailey Rae, Lukas Graham and Jon Batiste.
National Basketball Association (NBA) team Utah Jazz has appointed Andrea Williams as its first chief experience officer.
Williams was previously the chief operating officer for the College Football Playoff in Dallas, where she has been in the role since 2018. She will focus on delivering world-class experiences for guests, parties and employees at Vivint Arena.
Williams will begin her new role on November 29 and will also lead all diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives within the Jazz. She will also share responsibility with the team’s people and culture department to attract, develop and retain diverse talent.
Do you have news of an appointment that we should know about? Get in touch by emailing [email protected] and we’ll include it in our next round-up.
Image: Live Nation