LONDON (CelebrityAccess) — Venue management company Oak View Group announced the launch of a venue services division focused on the UK and Europe.
Led by Jessica Koravos, President, OVG International and Chris Granger, President, OVG360, the international venue services team will provide a range of services ranging from venue development, management, premium hospitality and food service, booking, sponsorship sales, marketing, and more.
At launch, the new team at OVG includes the company’s recently elevated Executive Vice President of Venue Management, Rebecca Kane Burton, who will focus on developing business opportunities for the new division in Europe and the UK. She previously acting as interim GM at Co-op Live and resume includes past leadership roles at Sodexo Live!, LW Theatres and The O2.
Sam Piccione and Alex Reese have joined the new division’s leadership team as well and will continue to focus on Commercial Strategy and Sales Services.
Michalis Fragkiadakis, Vice President Hospitality Strategy, OVG International will lead hospitality, expanding on OVG’s 2023 acquisition of Rhubarb Hospitality Collection.
Gary Hutchinson, Vice President, Booking and Commercial Partnerships, OVG International and MD Chrysalis Leisure Management will oversee content development for the new division and its partners, as well as international strategic partnerships.
Katie Harel joins OVG’s new division as Vice President Marketing, having previously served as global VP of marketing for Rhubarb Hospitality Collection.
The launch of the new division comes just six months after the debut of Manchester’s newest arena, the OVG-managed Co-OP Live.
“In just a few short months, Co-op Live has welcomed nearly one million fans and is setting new standards for artists and fans alike,” said Jessica Koravos, President, OVG International. Co-op Live offers an integrated fan experience from parking and ticketing to premium spaces that elevate fan engagement and generate valuable operator revenue. We are keenly aware of the challenges and opportunities facing venue owners. Our suite of service offerings is rooted in that knowledge and experience and paired with experts who have forged their careers in the European live entertainment and sports landscape, bringing real value to our clients.”
“As owners and operators ourselves, we care deeply about the challenges facing venue owners today. Our unique partnership approach, coupled with our mission of positive disruption in the live entertainment and sports space, has fueled our growth over the last 3 years. With our collection of expert team members with deep backgrounds in UK and European live experiences, we now have the ‘boots on the ground’ to authentically and consistently partner with venue owners to meet their needs,” said Chris Granger, President OVG360.
