The huge, worldwide concert promotions company AEG Presents announced this morning that it has acquired PromoWest Productions, the Columbus-based promoter that took over Cincinnati’s Bunbury Music Festival in 2014 and was in the running to build a concert venue on Cincinnati’s riverfront before the contract was awarded to the hometown MEMI.
PromoWest began over 30 years ago in Ohio’s capital city and runs Express Live, Newport Music Hall, The Basement and A&R Music Bar in Columbus. The success of Express Live led the company to open a similar indoor/outdoor concert venue in Pittsburgh in 2010 and its experience with that sort of venue had many pulling for it to score the Cincinnati contract. (MEMI is said to be planning to build an indoor facility with some outdoor-concert possibility on the grounds.)
30 Years Live! A PromoWest Productions Rockumentary from PromoWest Live on Vimeo.
“After getting to know AEG Presents and their senior management, it became more and more clear to me that both of our organizations were built from a common entrepreneurial spirit and culture. I am certain this partnership is right for PromoWest and AEG Presents is truly the right fit for us,” said PromoWest’s Scott Stienecker in a press release about the acquisition.
PromoWest’s clout has already helped Bunbury become one of the biggest music festivals in the region, attracting headliners like Post Malone, Jack White and The Chainsmokers last year. But the additional resources provided by AEG could help boost its reputation even more. AEG promotes events throughout North America, Asia and Europe, handling tours for artists like Taylor Swift, Paul McCartney and Katy Perry and producing huge music festivals like Coachella, Hangout and Firefly.
“I believe our partnership with AEG Presents will provide us an additional collection of resources and assets that will allow us to continue to build on our achievements and take our company to an even higher level,” Stienecker said.
