As expected, Live Nation have announced a senior level restructure in its US division following the previously reported departure of North American Music President Charlie Walker, who announced he is leaving to set up his own company earlier this week.
The restructure will see the company's US concert promotion, venue operation and sponsorship/alliance businesses all come together into one division, to be led by Bruce Eskowitz, who will become CEO for North American Music with the live entertainment conglom.
Discussing the restructure, overall Live Nation CEO Michael Rapino told Billboard yesterday: "We began looking at how to better manage our North American business when we acquired House Of Blues in the fall. With the addition of HOB, we needed to better align all our North American music operations under one management team. Bruce has lead alliances and venues for the last few years and consistently delivered growth year over year, so he became the natural candidate to head up North America".
Commenting on Walker's departure, he continued: "Charlie has done a great job running North America Music the last few years and would have been part of the new management team if he wanted. But he decided it was time to become a entrepreneur and with his long relationship with the team at [Austin City Limits Fest] it was a perfect place fit for him. We have great respect for the ACL organisation and wish Charlie all the best, and I am sure we will continue to work together in the future".