RUMOR MILL
“I believe every one of our businesses has real opportunity for growth, and don’t expect any layoffs as we go through this process.”
Monday, January 21, 2013
RAPINO REACHES OUT TO HIS MANAGEMENT TROOPS
Statement Addresses the Concerns of the Many Execs Brought Into Live Nation Fold by Azoff
Early Saturday morning, Michael Rapino emailed the scores of managers he’d inherited following Irving Azoff’s exit. As I. B. Bad recently pointed out, LN for the most part has deals with not with the artists but with their management, and Rapino wanted to personally form relationships with these individuals and companies—a big job, as the full contact list he attached to the email made dramatically clear. Interestingly, the now-sole Live Nation ruler referred to the management company he’s now overseeing as Artist Nation, rather than Front Line; Live Nation owns both names.
“I wanted to reach out to all employees in Artist Nation and give you an update on the division going forward,” he began. “I have met with as many of the managers and leaders of our Artist Nation businesses over the last couple weeks [as possible], but I know I can't get to all the staff in a short period, so please excuse the impersonality of an email, but I want to share a few thoughts with everyone as soon as possible.”
Rapino then reiterated his commitment “to building Artist Nation and all the great businesses within,” referring to the management and artist services businesses, and reassuring the recipients of his message that he considers both areas “core to our overall Live Nation global music business and growth strategy.”
As for the chain of command, Rapino stated that all Artist Nation management teams and businesses will now report to him. “We’re working together to figure out the best way to operate over the long term, at it is important that everyone has a direct line to me so I can most effectively support the success of every business,” he explained.
He further calmed the waters by insisting that it would be “business as usual for all, no changes in how you operate, no new rules, etcetera. I believe every one of our businesses has real opportunity for growth, and don’t expect any layoffs as we go through this process.”
Addressing the departure of his former colleague, and apparently hoping for a peaceful transference of loyalty, Rapino then wrote, “We will all miss Irving, he is unique and hard to replace, but we have a powerhouse of great managers and leaders at Artist Nation. By leveraging strength and benefits of our concert, ticketing and sponsorship platforms, I am confident there is tremendous additional opportunity for us to unlock by working together more closely.”
The next order of business for LN, according to Rapino, involves coordinating the company’s various divisions and providing a “clear vision on what more we can do together,” a process he promised to focus on during the next month.
“I wanted to reach out to all employees in Artist Nation and give you an update on the division going forward,” he began. “I have met with as many of the managers and leaders of our Artist Nation businesses over the last couple weeks [as possible], but I know I can't get to all the staff in a short period, so please excuse the impersonality of an email, but I want to share a few thoughts with everyone as soon as possible.”
Rapino then reiterated his commitment “to building Artist Nation and all the great businesses within,” referring to the management and artist services businesses, and reassuring the recipients of his message that he considers both areas “core to our overall Live Nation global music business and growth strategy.”
As for the chain of command, Rapino stated that all Artist Nation management teams and businesses will now report to him. “We’re working together to figure out the best way to operate over the long term, at it is important that everyone has a direct line to me so I can most effectively support the success of every business,” he explained.
He further calmed the waters by insisting that it would be “business as usual for all, no changes in how you operate, no new rules, etcetera. I believe every one of our businesses has real opportunity for growth, and don’t expect any layoffs as we go through this process.”
Addressing the departure of his former colleague, and apparently hoping for a peaceful transference of loyalty, Rapino then wrote, “We will all miss Irving, he is unique and hard to replace, but we have a powerhouse of great managers and leaders at Artist Nation. By leveraging strength and benefits of our concert, ticketing and sponsorship platforms, I am confident there is tremendous additional opportunity for us to unlock by working together more closely.”
The next order of business for LN, according to Rapino, involves coordinating the company’s various divisions and providing a “clear vision on what more we can do together,” a process he promised to focus on during the next month.
