Faces + Places
Keena Cheatham
Messina Touring Group has three new vice presidents, with Lauren Caire rising from director of finance to VP of finance, Keena Cheatham named VP of touring and LeeAnn Rotondo becoming VP of ticketing. Caire first joined MTG in 2015 as a senior accountant and has since managed finances for the company and all of its tours, including a marquee year in 2023 anchored by Taylor Swift’s headline-dominating “Eras” tour, Ed Sheeran’s “Mathematics World Tour “which broke attendance record in over half of the 21 NFL stadiums she played, George Strait’s record-breaking stadium run and more. Cheatham joined MTG in 2013 as a promoter rep on Swift’s “Red” tour, and has had a role in over half of the MTG roster in both the pop and country music sectors. Rotondo joined MTG in 2015 as a ticket manager, primarily to assist with ticketing for Swift’s “1989” tour.
Josh Dick, Jonathan Insogna
Rebecca Prochnik, Shay Royale
Wasserman Music announced four new agents are joining the company, including Josh Dick and Shay Royale in New York, Jonathan Insogna in Nashville and Rebecca Prochnik in London. Dick and Insogna are both vice presidents, while Prochnik and Royale join as directors. Dick started his career at The Agency Group, where he worked with A$AP Rocky, Danny Brown and YelaWolf. He then switched over to artist management, working with Macklemore & Ryan Lewis and Flatbush Zombies. Insogna spent 17 years at WME working with country and Americana artists including Morgan Wade, Yola, Cam Whitcomb, Drew Erwin, Joshua Quimby, Max McNown and Theo Kandel. Prochnick joins Wasserman Music from UTA, and will represent artists including AJ Tracey, Black Lips, Calibre, CASISDEAD, Decius, Fat Dog, Frost Children, Ghetts, Jme, Kode 9, Mala, Paranoid London, Warmduscher and more. Royale aims to lead Wasserman Music’s growth in the Afro-music space, with his clients including Victony, Black Sherif, Gabzy, Blxckie, melvitto and WurlD.
Josh Pell
Oak View Group has named Katee LaPoff as Chief Technology Officer and Josh Pell as President of Premium Experiences and Global Strategy. Pell will oversee Oak View Group’s e-commerce platform and all premium opportunities while continuing to manage OVG’s hospitality, food and beverage, and technology design initiatives globally. He will oversee all owned-and-operated food and beverage programs. In his previous role as senior vice president of global hospitality strategy planning and development, Pell helped roll out the Moody Center, Acrisure Arena, and CFG Bank Arena. He joined OVG in 2022 after holding senior-level positions at T-Mobile Park, Chase Center and Petco Park.
Prior to joining OVG, LaPoff was the senior vice president of technology at Madison Square Garden Companies for 10 years and also held a variety of positions at Sterling Project Development related to the management of large venue enterprise and information technology systems and operations.
Kayla Williams
Nashville-based concert promoter Outback Presents has named Kayla Williams senior ticketing manager, effective immediately. Williams, who has been with Outback for the past five years, will report to VP of Ticketing Jenny Reid, working ticketing operations that focus on country and comedy events. Williams’ previous experience includes time at the Grand Ole Opry, Warner Music and BMI, after which she joined Outback in 2019. “I appreciate all of the hard work Kayla has done for Outback,” adds Outback Presents President Michael Smardak. “She is a valued member of our tremendously growing ticketing department.”
