TORONTO (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — North By Northeast (NXNE) Co-founder Andy McLean has tendered his resignation from his post as Managing Director of the festival, effective Feb. 11th.
Following in the footsteps of the hugely successful South by Southwest (SXSW) NXNE was first staged in 1995 as a three-day event focusing on regional, independent artists, the event has grown to a week-long music and arts festival that while focusing primarily on music, now includes both a film and an art festival. 2012 marked the 18th consecutive year for NXNE and this year, the festival reported hosting 810 musical performers and attendance of 330,000.
McLean did not explain why he chose to depart from the festival, nor what his plans were beyond pursuing new opportunities.
In an email annoncing the resignation, McLean wrote:
During my tenure, NXNE’s Music, Film, and Interactive streams developed to the extent that last year’s festival was our most successful ever, attracting over 300,000 fans and having an economic impact on Toronto of almost $50 million. NXNE’s international reputation has never been stronger. NXNE is now recognized as an authentic and essential event for fans, creators and industry professionals. The event has expanded ten-fold since it began and I leave NXNE on a solid foundation as Canada’s premier festival for new music.
I am proud of the festival and everything that NXNE has achieved since its inception in 1995. As the public face and driving force of the festival, I’m most proud of having stayed true to my principle of providing support and encouragement for emerging artists and creating an environment that brings out the best in people.
It’s been an honour and pleasure to work alongside so many talented and dedicated people, and I thank everyone who has helped this festival grow from its grassroots to become a signature event today. I especially thank my dedicated staff and the hundreds of loyal volunteers without whom this festival could not operate. I also want to thank the sponsors, the musicians, filmmakers, speakers, and incredible fans that have been inspired to make NXNE their own.
NXNE 2013 is set to take place from June 10-16 in Toronto, Canada. – CelebrityAccess Staff Writers
