Tour de force Rob Wicks joins ASM-run P&J Live

Article posted by Coliseum, March 24^th, 2023

Image: ASM Global

ASM Global, the world’s leading producer of entertainment experiences, venue management and event strategy, announced on March 17^th the appointment of Rob Wicks as the Managing Director of P&J Live in Aberdeen, Scotland.

‘P&J LIVE’ stated that Wicks joins ASM Global with 25 years of experience in the sports and events industry, working with rights holders, brands, host venues, governing bodies, promoters, and agencies. Wicks will be joining P&J Live on June 5^th, 2023 from his current role as Commercial Director at the Aberdeen Football Club, where he has been responsible for all football club revenue streams, including partnerships and sponsorships, hospitality, ticketing, retail, memberships, marketing, communications, events, and new stadium planning.

Los Angeles (US)-based ASM Global is the world’s leading venue management company and producer of live event experiences. ASM Global is the pre-eminent management and content partner with over 350 venues worldwide. Operating and investing in the world’s most important stadiums, arenas, convention centers, and theaters requires unmatched dedication and the most profound expertise which the company boasts.

The P&J Live is a multipurpose indoor arena in the suburb of Bucksburn, in Aberdeen, Scotland. Opened in August 2019, it offers a capacity for all types of shows and events from 5,000 to 15,000. Replacing the former Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre, the 10,000-seat arena is used for concerts and other events.

The Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre was a large exhibition and conference complex in the suburb of Bridge of Don in Aberdeen, Scotland.

Aberdeen Football Club is a Scottish professional football club based in Aberdeen, Scotland. They compete in the Scottish Premiership and have never been relegated from the top division of the Scottish football league system since they were elected to the top flight in 1905.

‘P&J LIVE’ further stated that Wicks has a proven track record of delivering record commercial growth, implementing transformational change, developing successful commercial and communication strategies, results-based innovation, and thriving strategic alliances. With significant international experience, Wicks, who hails from South Africa and has worked in Europe for the past two decades, has delivered projects and events in 25 countries.

Said Marie Lindqvist, Senior Vice-President (SVP – Operations), Europe at ASM Global, said, “On behalf of everyone at ASM Global, I’d like to warmly welcome Rob to the team. Rob brings with him decades of experience as a widely-respected, innovative and results-driven leader in the events and sports industries. Having seen great success working with renowned brands, events and organizations in Scotland and beyond, Rob will undoubtedly be a tremendous driving force in his new role as P&J Live, a truly versatile and award-winning venue, looks to the future.”

Stated Rob Wicks, “ASM Global is on a clear growth trajectory and P&J Live is a vitally important part of its European venue portfolio, so this a very exciting time to be coming on board. I see this as a terrific opportunity to play a leading role in Scotland’s new state-of-the-art event complex achieving its full potential. I already know some of the passionate and talented team who operate the venue and having spent the past five years in Aberdeen, I am able to bring a strong network and range of local experience to the role. The mix of a modern, world-class arena, sizeable conference and exhibition areas and flexible hospitality space means the venue is agile and able to adapt to meet the needs of a wide range of activities and entertainment genres which is going to be key to future growth. I am really looking forward to working with the team to build upon the great work they have done to date and enhancing the reputation that the venue has established. A great example of this is the Lewis Capaldi (Scottish singer-songwriter) concert in January that delivered Scotland’s highest-ever selling indoor show. This sort of success has definitely put P&J Live on the map and instilled further confidence that the venue – and the region – can deliver.”

He added, “Some of the key priorities that I see in the short to medium term are to enhance our key stakeholder relationships, better understand our customer base, look at ways to integrate innovative new technology to enhance the customer journey, and ensuring there is an outstanding pipeline of world-class conferences and events to look forward to.”

Opening in 2019, P&J Live boasts 48,000 square meters of multipurpose event space, world-class conference facilities and exhibition halls, a superior arena, spacious hospitality boxes, and a high-end restaurant. P&J Live is the largest event complex in the North of Scotland, an award-winning venue which, in just a few years, has received accolades including Venue of the Year at the AEO Excellence Awards 2022, Best Conference Venue at the Conference and Events Awards 2022, Industry Supplier of the Year – Association of British Professional Conference Organisers (ABPCO) Awards 2022, and shortlisted at the Scottish Thistle Awards for Best Business Event.

With a busy year ahead for P&J Live, 2023 will see a wide-ranging calendar of conferences, awards and events including the Offshore Achievement Awards, Aberdeen’s Sports Awards, Jurassic Live, Energy Exports Conference, Canadian singer Michael Bublé’s Higher Tour, British singer Elton John’s Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour, Pet Shop Boys’ (English synth-pop duo) Dreamworld Greatest Hits Tour, and more.

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