PRESS RELEASE: “HOWARD HANDLER NAMED EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT MARKETING AND SALES, MSG ENTERTAINMENT”
New York, NY – October 6, 2009 – MSG Entertainment has named Howard Handler, executive vice president, marketing and sales, MSG Entertainment. The announcement was made by Jay Marciano, president, MSG Entertainment. In this role, Mr. Handler will serve as the strategic leader of all MSGE marketing initiatives including brand management and event sales for all MSG Entertainment properties. He will also oversee the management of our brands, creative services, research, database and ad sales planning spanning the entire portfolio of MSGE properties including concerts, family shows/Broadway series, events and productions at Radio City Music Hall, Madison Square Garden, the Theater at MSG, the Beacon Theatre, The Chicago Theatre, the Wang Theater the Radio City Christmas Spectacular (both the NYC show and all touring productions), The Radio City Rockettes, and Cirque du Soleil’s productions Wintuk and Banana Shpeel.
“MSG Entertainment continues to strengthen our position as the premier live entertainment company, boasting an unrivaled set of venues and live entertainment properties,” said Marciano. “As we continue to grow our brands in strategic and innovative ways, Howard brings extensive marketing experience that spans the worlds of music, sports and television. I am confident that Howard’s diverse and proven expertise will serve as a great contributing quality to our company’s ongoing growth.”
Mr. Handler will work on all new business opportunities by providing strategic marketing counsel and leadership as MSGE continues to grow and develop their business.
“MSG Entertainment represents the future of the entertainment business, few can compare with its iconic venues and unparalleled success in the world of entertainment,” said Mr. Handler. “I am thrilled to join an all-star executive team led by Jay Marciano and bring forward my diverse marketing and media background, and enthusiasm for entertainment to benefit the continuous development of MSGE’s unrivaled portfolio.”
Prior to joining MSGE, Mr. Handler was the Executive Vice President for North America for EMI Music where he served as the head of marketing for their roster of recording artists in the U.S, Canada and Mexico. Before that, he was the Chief Marketing Officer for Virgin Mobile USA where he led marketing, strategy, offer and product development, sales and media relations for them. Mr. Handler also was the President and CEO for Burly Bear Network, a cable network and marketing company focused on 18-24 demographic. Additionally, he worked at the NFL as their SVP, Marketing & Fan Development and was SVP, Marketing for MTV. Mr. Handler is a graduate of the University of Michigan where he earned both his bachelor’s degree and an MBA.
MSG Entertainment
MSG Entertainment (MSGE), the live entertainment arm of Cablevision Systems Corporations, is a worldwide entertainment company recognized for its signature combination of event production and entertainment marketing. In addition to the nearly 700 entertainment concerts and events that take place each year at Radio City Music Hall, Madison Square Garden, The Theater at Madison Square Garden, The Beacon Theatre and The Chicago Theatre, MSGE has an exclusive co-booking agreement with Boston’s Citi Performing Arts Center/ Wang Theatre. MSG Entertainment’s live events include The Radio City Christmas Spectacular, which includes the national arena tour and the theatrical tour and has played to more than 43 different cities across North America. Additionally, MSGE has an ongoing partnership with Cirque du Soleil to create new content and productions for its venues. Wintuk, which premiered in 2007, was built exclusively for the Theater at Madison Square Garden and runs every holiday season. More than six million people attend MSG Entertainment branded events annually including concerts, special events, and family attractions.
