AEG Facilities and SMG complete transaction to create ASM Global and expand footprint in Australia

ASM is headquartered in Los Angeles, CA, with key operations based in West Conshohocken, PA, a suburb of Philadelphia. The company also has corporate offices in London, England; Manchester, England; Brisbane, Australia; and Sao Paulo, Brazil. ASM operates a diversified portfolio of arenas, stadiums, convention and exhibition centres, performing arts centres, theatres and other venues with more than 300 facilities across five continents.

Bob Newman, former President of AEG Facilities, has been named President and CEO of ASM, effective immediately. Prior to joining AEG Facilities, Mr. Newman spent more than 20 years at SMG, last serving as a regional Vice President for the company. Wes Westley, former CEO and President of SMG, will focus his efforts on key strategic growth initiatives and ensuring a seamless integration.

Bob Newman, President & CEO of ASM, said:

Wes Wesley added:

Onex, AEG and their respective affiliates are contributing their entire equity investments in SMG and AEG Facilities, respectively, into the combined business and are now equal co-owners of ASM.

New ASM Global Expands Footprint In Australia

ASM Global have also announced a strategic investment of a 25% shareholding in Sydney-based Stadium operator VenuesLive from Techfront Australia. This announcement marks ASM Global’s further expansion in the Australian market.

ASM Global, the premier venue management and services company, was formed through the merger of AEG Facilities and SMG. The company spans five continents with a broad and diversified portfolio of more than 300 of the world’s most prestigious arenas, stadiums, convention and exhibition centers and performing arts venues.

Harvey Lister, Chairman and CEO of ASM Global in the Asia Pacific region, said:

ASM Global’s investment in VenuesLive is an exciting development that will guarantee more world-class music, family entertainment and sport content across a greater number of venues throughout Australia going forward.

As a result of this investment, Mr. Lister will join the Board of VenuesLive, although the day-to-day business of the company will remain under the direction of current directors and joint majority shareholders, Daryl Kerry and Steve Heytman.

 

 

In Asia Pacific, ASM Global currently manages the 12,000-seat Brisbane Entertainment Centre, the 52,500-seat Suncorp Stadium, the 21,000-seat Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, the 8,500-seat First State Super Theatre at ICC Sydney, the 15,000-seat RAC Arena in Perth, the recently opened 17,000-seat Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai; mid-sized arena spaces in Brisbane, Newcastle, Cairns, Darwin and soon Christchurch; and convention and exhibition venues in Sydney, Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin, Newcastle, Christchurch, Kuala Lumpur and Muscat in Oman. The company is also the proponent for the 18,000-capacity Brisbane Live arena in the State’s capital.

VenuesLive is a leading provider of management and hospitality services to venues and events. It operates three of Australia’s most iconic stadiums – the 83,500-seat ANZ Stadium (soon to undergo a major refurbishment) and the 30,000-seat Bankwest Stadium in Sydney, as well as the 60,000-seat Optus Stadium in Perth.

Approval for the acquisition has been granted by the government owners of the three stadiums.

 

Bob Newman, President and CEO of ASM Global, said the new shareholding arrangement would offer VenuesLive the opportunity to benefit from ASM Global’s worldwide network of partnerships with leading entertainment and sports providers, which will bring high profile content to the region:

The real winners from these developments are the fans who will be able to access a greater range of world-class content, services, amenities and technologies in more venues than ever before, across Australia.

Daryl Kerry, Managing Director of VenuesLive, welcomed the investment by ASM Global:

We are excited about ASM Global’s investment in VenuesLive.We look forward to the benefits that ASM Global’s investment in VenuesLive will bring, particularly in delivering additional events to the stadia we manage.