SWEDEN (CelebrityAccess) – Live Nation Sweden’s Marketing and Communications Director Kristofer Åkesson, has left the promoter to join tech startup Society icon as Partner and COO.
Åkesson, who was part of Live Nation Sweden’s management group, played a key role at the company for nine years. This year alone he was central to the production of events such as Swedish House Mafia’s three comeback shows in Stockholm and the first year of Lollapalooza Stockholm.
He joins the startup, which counts H&M, Aller Media, Warner Music and Live Nation among its current clients, following an investment round, which closed a few weeks ago and that saw the company valued at 81 million SEK ($8.5m), according to the press release announcing his appointment.
In his new role, he will lead Society icon’s expansion both inside and outside the Nordics.
Commenting on the news, Åkesson said: “I leave one dream job for another. Throughout the years at Live Nation I’ve met many companies that offered different solutions for influencer marketing, but never found a good and efficient alternative. When Mose (CEO and founder Society icon) presented Society icon 1.5 years ago, I immediately saw that the unique idea and technology behind it, where the ordinary man and its followers are central, not only is the future of influencer marketing, but ultimately also for marketing and consumer loyalty in general.
“After seeing the value and effect of the service from a client’s perspective it was obvious for me to say yes when Mose asked me to join, even though it was a tough decision to leave a company and industry I love,” added Åkesson. “I am very excited to join the company at an early stage and together with Mose and the fantastic team I want to build an international marketplace where companies and people can meet, work together and exchange services and products with just a few clicks. In that interaction there is tremendous potential that goes far beyond just marketing.”
CEO and founder of Society icon Mose Haregot, said: “Kristofer is a dream recruitment. I have always been impressed by his ability to understand and foresee trends and behaviours, and as a client to us for 1.5 years, he has also made the product better. Since day one he has understood the long-term potential of Society icon, and with his knowledge, experience and ideas, he will be invaluable in our continued expansion.”
