Former Google executive Jennifer Koster joins Sphere Entertainment as president, Sphere Business Operations, effective February 5.
In this new position, Koester leads the strategy and execution of all business aspects of the Sphere, the $2 billion next-generation entertainment venue that opened last September in Las Vegas with U2 UV's Achtung Baby Live At Sphere residence.
Announced today (Jan. 22), Koester will work closely with executive leadership to grow the Sphere business, including maximizing calendar and ticket sales. driving strategic partnerships with artists, managers, promoters and others in the live entertainment space. and developing a corporate conference business for product launches and other events.
Based in New York, Koester reports to James Dolanexecutive chairman and CEO of Sphere Entertainment.
“We've seen a strong global response to Sphere from clients, brands and artists since our opening in September,” comments Dolan in a statement, “and we look forward to leveraging Jennifer's extensive background driving development at leading technology and entertainment brands as we continue to build our Sphere business.”
Koester joins the company with 25 years of executive-level experience in sales, marketing, technology, digital business, legal counsel and more, most recently as managing director, Americas strategic alliances, global partnerships at Google Commercial Operations. Prior to that, she was director, telecom and video distributor, global partnerships at Google.
“Throughout my career, I've focused on pioneering and delivering growth strategies that bridge business needs and leverage new technologies,” she comments, “and I'm excited to bring that experience to Sphere.”
The state-of-the-art space on the Vegas Strip is huge — it's 366 feet tall by 516 feet wide, big enough to house the Statue of Liberty. But it's the detail that matters.
The 20,000-capacity main hall is dominated by a 160,000-square-foot LED screen that curves and rises to a peak 240 feet above. Footage of U2's first run in the room went viral and the shows were golden tickets.
According to Billboard Boxscore, U2's 17th show beginning in September at the Sphere brought in nearly $110 million in ticket sales, with an SEC filing noting that those dates brought in a total of $30.7 million for Sphere Entertainment through on November 30.
Next, Sphere Entertainment's content offering, Darren Aronofsky's offering Postcard from Earthgrossed approximately $44.5 million in total ticket sales from 111 screenings.
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from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/business/business-news/jennifer-koester-president-sphere-business-operations-1235586052/
