OVG ‘boots on the ground’ venue service

Article posted by Coliseum, November 19^th, 2024

Image: Oak View Group

The Oak View Group (OVG) (US) has launched its full suite of venue service offerings in the United Kingdom (UK) and Europe.

‘Music Week’ stated that the United States company provides global venue development, management and premium hospitality services.

The Oak View Group, LLC (OVG) is an American professional sports and commercial real estate company based in Denver (US). It manages several sports venues, including the 18,300-capacity Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington, which was constructed under the company’s supervision. The OVG was formed in November 2015 by Tim Leiweke and his business partner Irving Azoff.

‘Music Week’ further stated that the establishment of the offering in the UK and broader Europe represents the first time an owner/operator will provide services to the venue owners in the market, said OVG in its announcement.

Nearly six months after the opening of the UK’s largest indoor concert venue, the 23,500-capacity Co-op Live in Manchester, England, the new offering will include a suite of services ranging from venue development, management, premium hospitality and food service, booking, sponsorship sales, marketing, and more.

Led by Jessica Koravos, President, OVG International, and Chris Granger, President, OVG360, the international venue services team includes veterans of the UK live entertainment and sports industry:

Rebecca Kane Burton, recently announced as the Executive Vice-President of Venue Management, will focus on growing OVG’s venue services in the UK and Europe after acting as the interim General Manager (GM) at the Co-op Live. Kane Burton previously led Sodexo Live!, LW Theatres (theater company in London) and the 20,000-capacity The O2 in South East London;
Sam Piccione and Alex Reese continue their leadership in commercial strategy and sales services. The division provides a suite of strategic sales services, including sponsorship valuation, commercial revenue modeling, sponsorship and premium hospitality strategy, and sales delivery. In addition to the Co-op Live, the current clients include the Aviva Studios in Manchester, England, the EFL League One team Birmingham City F.C., EF Pro Cycling (a professional cycling team), the Serie A team AS Roma (Italy), and the Lloyd Webber Theatres;
Michalis Fragkiadakis, Vice-President (VP) Hospitality Strategy, OVG International, will lead hospitality innovation building on the 2023 acquisition of the Rhubarb Hospitality Collection (an international premium hospitality collection specializing in luxury event catering, iconic restaurant dining and venue hospitality based in London). Fragkiadakis has over 20 years of experience in the entertainment and hospitality industries with a background in strategic operational delivery including his previous role at Levy by Compass (global leader in food services);
Gary Hutchinson, VP, Booking and Commercial Partnerships, OVG International and Managing Director (MD) Chrysalis Leisure Management (works on behalf of an elite roster of clients to support them in delivering incredible entertainment experiences while optimizing profitability) will continue to lead content development and strategic partnerships internationally; and
Katie Harel has joined as the VP Marketing, OVG International, transitioning from her role as the Global VP of Marketing for Rhubarb Hospitality Collection which will fall under her newly expanded role. Harel has over 20 years of luxury hospitality experience working for renowned establishments like The Lanesborough (five-star hotel in London) and The Dorchester (five-star hotel in London) as well as the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group (Hong Kong-based multinational hospitality and management group), and The Langham (five-star hotel) in Hong Kong.

Maintained Jessica Koravos, President, OVG International, “In just a few short months the Co-op Live has welcomed nearly one million fans and is setting new standards for the artistes and the fans alike. The Co-op Live offers an integrated fan experience from parking and ticketing to premium spaces that elevate fan engagement and generate valuable operator revenue. We are keenly aware of the challenges and opportunities facing the venue owners. Our suite of service offerings is rooted in that knowledge and experience and paired with experts who have forged their careers in the European live entertainment and sports landscape bringing real value to our clients.”

Commented Chris Granger, President, OVG360, “As the owners and operators ourselves, we care deeply about the challenges facing the venue owners today. Our unique partnership approach, coupled with our mission of positive disruption in the live entertainment and sports space, has fueled our growth over the last three years. With our collection of expert team members with deep backgrounds in UK and European live experiences we now have the ‘boots on the ground’ to authentically and consistently partner with the venue owners to meet their needs.”

The Co-op Live opened on May 8^th, 2024 in Manchester, UK, and is the largest indoor live entertainment venue in the United Kingdom at 23,500 capacity. It was built to be carbon-neutral venue from Day One.

The OVG International focuses on growing OVG’s core business pillars and embarks on new synergistic opportunities in the live entertainment space globally.

The OVG360 is the full-service division specializing in sports, live entertainment and hospitality. Its portfolio of 300 + client-partners spans arenas, stadiums, convention centers, performing arts centers, cultural institutions, and the State fairs around the globe.

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