Michael Taylor’s Post

In the first of our new bi-weekly sports column The Back Pages, Sports Manager Nick Fruin talks about fan ownership of cultural figures, football and music and the importance of both to British culture: "In news that surprises basically no one, Oasis have added a couple more dates at Wembley stadium after the ticketing fiasco soon after their reunion was reported. From the moment it was announced the Brits went barmy, but it's been particularly interesting seeing how the football world has reacted to the news. After all, from terrace songs to Hey Jude to Freed From Desire, music and football are completely intertwined.   The football community’s response to Oasis reuniting was strong; a whole host of recognised personalities from the football world led the excited response on socials while Match of the Day commentary and the back pages alike have been rife with Oasis lyric-inspired puns.    But with debates over what age group most ‘deserves’ the band’s 2025 tour tickets, talk has also sparked over whether football fan bases hold ownership over their city’s iconic bands. Noel and Liam’s very public support of Man City suggest Oasis’s connection is stronger with the blue half of Manchester, with United’s recently launched Stone Roses collection suggesting an affinity with the city’s other world-famous band.   However, like on Sunday when Manchester United were pitted against their bitter rivals from another city, Liverpool, the Oasis vs The Beatles debate is often flagged in pre-match VTs to which United fans are quick to claim Oasis as their own.    Of course these discussions are light hearted, but it does pose the question of whether these cultural moments are bigger than football, or if it perhaps highlights just how huge football is in this country, where football tribalism is so deep rooted fans look to take ownership of internationally celebrated musicians.    Friendly rivalry is what makes football the sport so many of us love but ultimately, while we clamour over each other to secure both concert and Premier League tickets, the one thing music and football should most be celebrated for is bringing people together."

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In-person events have made a significant comeback this year, becoming the most in-demand tool for marketers—even with the rise of AI - as highlighted by Stephen Lepitak in Creative Salon. The frenzy over Taylor Swift tickets and the challenges faced by Ticketmaster indicate a major growth trajectory in the global events sector. Here's what's happening: 📈 Massive Growth Projection: The global events sector could nearly double in value by 2035, reaching almost £650 billion. 💰 Current Market Value: In 2024, events worldwide generated £342 billion, growing at 5.4% annually. 🎵 Most Popular Events: Music and art performances, sports, and festivals are leading the surge. 🤝 Brand Sponsorship Spike: Event sponsorship is driving revenue as brands seek to engage audiences in meaningful ways. 📊 Marketing Budgets Shift: According to the IPA Bellwether report for Q2, events are the top-performing marketing channel, with a 17.2% growth following a 23.1% increase in Q1. 🏢 B2B Events Rising: Significant deals like Informa's acquisition of Cannes Lions for £1.2 billion highlight the boom in B2B festivals. For an in-depth look at this exciting development, read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/eQGZdHcV #KruLive #BrandExperiences #EventProfs #EventStaffing #LoveForPeople

Manchester AfterDark Attended: We were happy to get a look around the new attic space at Joshua Brooks on Saturday for the fourth in their Day Time Disco series, this one featuring Mousse T. Here's what we found. Accessed via stairs at front-of-house, with a 150 capacity and natural light (until sunset anyway), we get a quite different space from the familiar basement. That daylight comes partially from east-facing windows, but mainly from west-facing. It then reflects off white walls so that natural light is made the most of. After dark, artificial light comes from a series of subtle LED strips suspended from the ceiling that cycle through red, green and blue. Sound is solid without being overpowering, presumably to also meet council restrictions so as to not disturb local residents, and, unlike many venues, it's in surround. Plenty of clubs we visit only fit their sound system at one end of a room, where the DJ performs. The JB attic has a speaker in each corner. The west interior wall is fitted with several double booths and tables, holding from 6 to 8 people and each with its own TV. While it's ideal for showing sporting events, it's a little superfluous for a club night. But, it's also good to have the choice to take a rest if it's needed. These booths are directly facing the DJ area, which is where most dancers preferred to be. This means that there can be a bit of a bottleneck in that space, depending on numbers. But if being in the thick of the crowd and the peak of the atmosphere is your aim, this is the spot. The south wall is shared between more booths and two darts cubicles. No toilets on this floor, so it's back down to the existing ground floor facilities for those. Now the DJ area. We haven't seen this in years, but the DJ stand and the bar area are one and the same. You're DJ'ing inside the large square bar area and working alongside the other staff. Looking forward to hearing tales about international superstar DJ's having inebriated young women lean towards the decks and ask them for five Sambucas. Get served on the stairs-side or the darts cubicles-side of the bar, and avoid the DJ side, where you won't get any service. Overall, this is a great new addition to the city's clubbing spaces, with clear multi-purpose usage due to the screens, booths and dart boards. One question is what future nightlife use it might see once the summer is over. Our visit was for a 4pm until 10pm event, which ended as the 100% Late Replies party began in the basement. Will this attic hold separate ticketed club events at the same time as the basement, but with a different music genre to avoid any clash? Could it act as an expansion, 'a room two' of whatever party is in the basement with traffic between the rooms? Could it be opened up to outside promoters? We're looking forward to finding out the answers

So here’s my opinion. 👍 What a great advert for a great city. ‘You’re new arena isn’t ready? No problem, we’ll take that 35 truck tour and do it in our other arena’ Something no other city in the UK could do by the way. 💡Maybe this is a moment to build on. Maybe instead of being competitors we could see closer collaboration between these two giants to build on Manchesters reputation as an entertainment/sports centre. Let’s imagine a city based festival with both part of the picture. But, maybe that’s just wishful thinking on my part. 💭 In games world we talk a lot about legacy, let’s unpack that a little here. - the AO Arena opened in 1995, it was the first event I worked. It was built as part of an Olympic bid. Although the bid failed, it helped bring the Commonwealth Games to Manchester in 2002. - The Commonwealth Games needed a stadium, which was built and later became the home of Manchester City. - The Stadium, now Etihad Stadium grew to be a campus for sporting excellence. - The Campus is now home to Co-op Live arena. It’s having hard times, but it will open. It will be successful and all this termoil will fade into the background. And yes, I will be there on opening night too. 🔗 Like it or not. The paths of Manchester Arenas are linked and I’m proud of my association with both these venues. I’m proud of this city, its attitude and resilience. Its a place where I’ve spent many years and have many friends and colleagues. 🐝 I love the attitude of this city. “Think we can’t do it? Watch us!’” It’s been a difficult time. It’s regrettable that fans have been inconvenienced and disappointed in the past weeks. But, Co-op Live, will open, it will be a success and Manchester will have two giants of the event industry to be rightly proud of. 👀 Think differently? Watch us! Take That move Co-op Live shows to rival arena after chaos https://lnkd.in/eNZutqwH

AEG Europe submits planning application for Edinburgh Park Arena AEG Europe, the industry-leading promoter and owners of iconic venue The O2, has today submitted a planning application to The City of Edinburgh Council for an 8,500-capacity arena, marking a significant step towards bringing the greatly-anticipated arena to life in the heart of Edinburgh. The 8,500-capacity venue, spanning 18,500 square metres, will be situated in the Edinburgh Park area, revitalising scrubland and supporting the regeneration of the Park area alongside master developers Parabola. Based on external assessment, the project is estimated to bring an estimated £520m per annum in gross value added to the Edinburgh economy. It is estimated the building will employ a collective total of 1,350 people per annum once up and running. Furthermore, the investment is expected to inject a further £83.1m per annum back into the local economy through the 700,000+ visitors the arena is expected to attract each year. Alex Hill, President & CEO of AEG Europe, said: "We are thrilled to be progressing with our plans for a spectacular new arena for Edinburgh. The city has long been renowned as a destination for global culture and one of the world’s best for the arts and live entertainment. We’re excited to build on this reputation and bring world-class live music and entertainment to Edinburgh, as well as investing in the wider Edinburgh Park community through the creation of 1000+ employment opportunities." The application follows a series of in-person public consultation events, which took place on 4 December 2023 and 9 January 2024, where members of the project team and AEG Europe were on-site to hear firsthand from residents and update on intended plans. Alistair Wood, Executive Vice President of Real Estate & Development for AEG Europe, said: "We’re delighted by the feedback and valuable insights we’ve received during the extensive consultation and public exhibition process. It’s been fantastic to see such strong support for our plans, and therefore we are hopeful for a swift and clear decision following our planning application. "If we were able to secure planning permission, our focus would then immediately turn to identifying a Building Contractor and Naming Rights partner to bring this exciting project to life on site." For the full story, go to: https://lnkd.in/eBGn-iKq Steve Sayer Nathan Kosky Matt Botten Adam Pearson Paul Samuels #aeg #arena #arenas #livemusic #liveevents #liveentertainment #sportsbiz #sportsindustry #sportsvenuebusiness #sportsvenuebiz #svblive Sports Venue Business

Prospects of Event-Driven Businesses in Portland 🎉📈 Event-driven businesses in Portland are poised for significant growth as the demand for unique and engaging experiences continues to rise. With its vibrant culture and diverse community, Portland offers a fertile ground for events ranging from food festivals to music concerts and art exhibitions. As businesses capitalize on local partnerships and leverage social media for promotion, they can create memorable events that attract both locals and tourists. Furthermore, the trend towards experiential marketing presents opportunities for companies to connect with their audiences on a deeper level, making event-driven ventures a promising avenue for entrepreneurs looking to thrive in this dynamic city. #EventDrivenBusiness #PortlandEvents #Entrepreneurship #ExperientialMarketing #LocalBusiness https://lnkd.in/dUXsR9cN

Choosing Entertainers Who Deliver At SKEIYA , under the umbrella of our brand iLali - The Sports Village, the focus is crystal clear—delivering an exceptional end-user experience. We believe in creating memorable moments for our guests, whether they’re attending games or enjoying other curated events at our facilities. Entertainment plays a pivotal role in this, and as we evaluate artists to partner with, we prioritize talent, reliability, and the ability to engage audiences. In Kenya this weekend provided a stark contrast between two approaches to performance. On one hand, there were performers who delivered high-energy, engaging, and professional shows that left audiences thrilled. They exemplified the dedication and commitment that we value in creating exceptional entertainment experiences. On the other hand, there were incidents where scheduled performers failed to deliver, despite all obligations being met by event organizers. Such behavior not only disappoints eager fans but also reflects poorly on the events themselves. When performers act unreliably, it undermines trust and affects the overall audience experience. As a sports company, when we select artists for our events, we do so with a focus on return on investment and audience satisfaction. People attend our games not just to watch sports but to have an immersive and enjoyable experience. Ticket holders deserve value for their hard-earned money. Artists who fail to meet their commitments jeopardize that experience and, in turn, the reputation of the events and the organizations hosting them. At iLali, we seek partners who are committed to delivering high-quality performances. It’s about creating a synergy between sports and entertainment that leaves lasting memories. The fans come first, and we’ll always strive to choose performers who embody that principle. In an industry that values both talent and dependability, actions speak louder than reputation. Commitment and professionalism are non-negotiable as we continue to deliver excellence in every aspect of our events... To artists: People are always watching

Regional Events Fund - up to $500,000 in funding - opening next week. While many of us are still scrambling over how the Victorian State budget will support regional areas next year, this fund is set to open next week. Open for organisers of festivals, sports events, exhibitions and those attracting interstate and international visitors, this fund is sure to be competitive. What we are seeing is greater competition and over subscribed rounds. Greater criteria hurdles to over come and projects ready to be delivered are also being favoured. If you are looking for any funding in the next year or so, be prepared well before funding is announced. It is clear the expectations are higher and the amount of information required is greater. Only those organisations ready to go will stand a chance in an environment where competitive funding is becoming more common.

The AFL - Australian Football League's Gather Round was back and bigger in 2024... and it plans to go bigger again in 2025. There's a growing trend where sports are partnering with governments to build their Major Sports Events calendar's, to attract tourism, stimulate local economy's and showcase their cities domestically and globally. These events are no longer purely focused on the in-stadium experience, they've expanded into major festivals and the experience often extends across entire cities. This year, 265k+ fans are estimated to have attended a game at Gather Round... but for most interstate fans, the experience was much broader than this. It began immediately after stepping off the plane, and for others it started on the plane: - Virgin Australia treated Carlton Football Club fans to a footy-themed flight - Footy-themed outdoor ads were displayed via decals, digital screens, wraps and signage across town, at the airport, in the street and on trams to create a city-takeover vibe Closer to the action, fans were treated to: - Open training sessions - Clinics - Fireworks - Live music & entertainment - Food festivals - Player appearances This year event management added: - A concert - Food & wine festival - State league representative game Gather Round creates endless commercial opportunities for the AFL and their blue-chip sponsors, who get a chance to engage with fans on a deeper level: - McDonald's is the naming rights partner of the Footy Festival - The Pepsi Collective was activated – a new venue within the Adelaide Oval for people aged 18+ with live acts including The Presets, John Course and DJ Minx - AFL sponsors such as Toyota, Maccas, Chemist Warehouse and Telstra invested heavily in footy-themed brand activations at the Footy Festival and at Rundle Mall SA's government are committed to the concept: - Hosting rights reportedly cost $14m per year, and they've committed to hosting the event until 2026 - The state government and Barossa Council will each contribute $20m for a major redevelopment which will enable a game to be played in the Barossa Valley in 2025 - The AFL, SANFL & State government launched a $2m "SA Football Facilities Fund" which will see 42 grassroots clubs receive funding for facility upgrades - The Adelaide Oval's $535m stadium redevelopment has turned the stadium into a world-class venue, forming a core part of the experience Hosting the event delivers a return: - An estimated $85m estimated economic value was delivered to the SA economy in 2023 - SA Tourism set up an online hub showing tourists where to stay, eat & drink and visit, conveniently linking fans to purchase their experiences - The AFL's biggest stars such as Toby Greene, Christian Petracca, Tom Hawkins, Nick Daicos and Lachie Neale featured in content pieces exploring SA's best tourist attractions which were amplified across broadcast & digital media Next up, Magic Round. #sportsmarketing #sportsbusiness