Live Nation Entertainment Moves Into German Market

HAMBURG, Germany (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — Live Nation Entertainment has launched their latest promoter division in Germany, the world's fourth largest music market. Established German promoter Johannes Wessels has been appointed Managing Director of Live Nation Germany, and will operate from his current office in the German city of Hamburg.

Live Nation has also tapped German ticketing industry veteran Klaus Zemke for the post of Managing Director, Ticketmaster Germany. Prior to joining Live Nation, Zemke was General Manager and a member of the Board of Directors of Ticket Online, Germany’s second largest ticketing company.

Additionally, Live Nation has appointed ticketing industry veteran Klaus Zemke to the post of Managing Director, Ticketmaster Germany. Zemke was previously General Manager and Member of the Board of Directors of Ticket Online, Germany’s second largest ticketing company.

The move into Germany follows Live Nation’s recent sale of its 20% stake in German promoter, Marek Lieberberg Konzertagentur GmbH (MLK), to CTS Eventim, the majority owner of MLK.

"Germany is the 4th largest music market in the world and represents huge untapped potential for Live Nation. In Johannes, we have a promoter of 25 years’ music industry experience who has promoted artists including Justin Timberlake, Foo Fighters and Neil Young. In Klaus, we have a very experienced Managing Director who has served over 20 years in the ticketing business with both Ticket Online and CTS." said Live Nation International CEO Alan Ridgeway.

"Ultimately, we have put two high caliber individuals together with our global assets, expertise and technology and we believe that we are now well positioned to compete with the historic dominance of CTS in the German concert and ticketing market; that is incredibly exciting." Rideway added.

How this move will be received by CTS Eventim, Live Nation's ostensible partner in the European ticketing market is unclear. Live Nation transferred it's ticketing operations in North America away from CTS to its own Ticketmaster division last month although they are still paying contractually obligated fees to CTS Eventim.

Live Nation’s first shows will be three Lady Gaga dates in Berlin, Hamburg and Oberhausen which go on sale on 12th March. – CelebrityAccess Staff Writers