Inaugural Impact International: UK/Euro

In the current issues of Pollstar and VenuesNow we proudly launch our inaugural Impact International: UK/Euro list. In keeping with the theme of Pollstar’s Impact 50 franchise, which debuted in 2019, we set out to recognize leaders in our industry who are most impacting the live entertainment industry in this territory. Compiled by the Pollstar and VenuesNow editorial teams, spearheaded by Pollstar UK/Euro reporter Gideon Gottfried, the Impact International: UK/Euro list represents individuals in the territory who excelled through such attributes as creativity, innovation, strategic management, financial success, leadership, artist development/career longevity,vision, fan engagement, consistency and commitment to excellence. The list is informed by, but not tethered to, Pollstar’s industry-leading box office data, and we feel accurately reflects the most impactful live entertainment industry executives in the U.K. and Europe navigating the most challenging times the international live entertainment and venues industry have ever faced.

As we stated when we released the first Impact 50 list two years ago, which was focused on the U.S., an international perspective has always been on the agenda, and is evidenced by our first Impact International list in these issues. Other territories are on the horizon. While live entertainment around the world has been put on hold by the pandemic, most would agree this is only a temporary setback. In the big picture, the nature of contemporary content distribution and global entertainment consumption, along with the proliferation of new venue development around the world, have led to a scenario where artists, tours, and live events can generate global demand out of the gate, and fan interest exists now in territories that were once available to only a few live productions. As such, the international live entertainment market has shifted drastically, and the U.K. and European markets are leading examples of the power of global perspective.

Pollstar and VenuesNow remain dedicated to international coverage and recognizing the leaders in the live entertainment and venue business around the world. Pandemic notwithstanding, the global venue landscape evolves, adapts and expands every year, from the club to stadium level. And even as more new venues are being developed around the world, the global festival marketplace still offers a consistent and productive global opportunity for agents to strategize international plays for clients well in advance, mitigating risk and providing valuable exposure.

Against this backdrop, information becomes ever more critical as tour planners strategically approach the global marketplace, using tour data to maximize time spent on international touring, determine which markets to invest in and where are the safest bets to grow through live events. More than ever, as venues, agents, managers, teams, tenants, event producers, vendors, brands and others engaged in live are faced with ever more complicated scenarios as they seek to navigate the world, data and information are the key to solving this puzzle. Pollstar and VenuesNow strive to be a primary source for critical information on the international front, and we continue to think globally. For us, that means more international coverage, more international perspective at our live events VenuesNow Conference (with VNC4 set for Oct. 20-21 in Seattle) and Pollstar Live! (up next in February 2022 in Los Angeles), and more international boxoffice data reporting, all geared toward driving more international readership and attendance at our live events.

The launch of our Impact International series is a major step, but we have more work to do so that Pollstar and VenuesNow completely represent the global live marketplace they cover. The depth and global scope of our editorial platforms, boxoffice figures, and venue, artist and promoter rankings provide an opportunity for promoters and venues in every country and territory, regardless of size or affiliation, to inform global agents and managers critical intel as to who operates where (and how well they’re doing) as they plot global tours of all sizes.

We remain serious about our international aspirations, and we heartily applaud the inaugural Impact International honorees, indeed all who are staying the course to bring live events to fans around the world. We look forward to pairing our International Impact lists with live events when it’s safe to gather. With your help and participation, we promise to double down on our efforts to make Pollstar and VenuesNow truly reflect the global nature of live, and we look forward to a prosperous 2022.

Ray Waddell
President, OVG Media & Conferences