Live Nation has appointed Chris Marking as Executive Vice President, International Venue Sponsorship, a role overseeing naming rights, founding partnerships, venue network deals and broader sponsorship strategy across its international venue portfolio outside North America.
The appointment, announced on Wednesday (April 15), comes as Live Nation Entertainment expands its international venue footprint, with new venues underway including Cardiff Arena and Munich Arena, and nearly 50 additional venues in development across multiple territories through 2031.
Marking, who will be based in London, joins from AEG, where he spent nearly two decades working across venue, tour, and festival partnerships, including The O2 in London, Uber Arena in Berlin, and Accor Arena in Paris.
“Strategic brand partnerships are a core part of how we’re building our venue business internationally,” said Russell Wallach, Live Nation‘s Global President of Media & Sponsorship.
“Live music is becoming more central to how people plan their lives. Fans are traveling to these venues and returning over time, creating a consistent platform with a new audience every night, depending on the artist. Chris understands how to build those partnerships so they work for both the fans and the venues over time.”
“Strategic brand partnerships are a core part of how we’re building our venue business internationally.”
Russell Wallach, Live Nation
In his new role, Marking will work with venue development teams from the earliest stages of planning and construction, integrating brand partnerships directly into how each new venue is designed and experienced, as well as evolving partnerships across existing and operating venues.
“It starts with understanding how fans move through the space and what matters to them in each city, because what resonates with fans in one place won’t feel right in another.”
Chris Marking
Live Nation says it “has accelerated its global naming rights and venue partnerships over the past 24 months”, securing deals across international markets including BNZ Theatre (New Zealand), Veikkaus Arena (Finland), AFAS Dome (Belgium), Vive Claro Stadium (Colombia), GNP Stadium of Guadalajara (Mexico), and multiple venues in Canada (RBC Amphitheatre, TD Coliseum, Rogers Stadium).
“The best partnerships are built into the venue from the start,” said Chris Marking. “It starts with understanding how fans move through the space and what matters to them in each city, because what resonates with fans in one place won’t feel right in another.”
“When that’s done well, brands become part of the moments fans remember and share, creating a level of connection that builds with every show.”
“It’s an exciting time for brands to play a role in that experience.”
Tom Lynch, Live Nation
Tom Lynch, President of Venues, EMEA, at Live Nation, added: We’re developing world-class venues with unique design, innovative technology and unparalleled sustainability, built around how fans in each market experience live music.”
“It’s an exciting time for brands to play a role in that experience. Bringing partners in earlier means they’re part of it from the start, not added later. Delighted to have Chris on board to help us do that as we grow.”
Marking‘s appointment sits within a period of sustained international venue investment by Live Nation.
Since January, the company has acquired Paris La Défense Arena, Europe’s largest indoor venue, and purchased Italian venue operator ForumNet Group, adding the Unipol Forum in Milan to its portfolio. It has also expanded into Romania and Slovakia in recent weeks.
Live Nation‘s sponsorship and advertising division generated revenue of $1.3 billion in 2025, up 11% year-over-year, at a margin of 64% — making it the company’s most efficient segment by that measure. The company reported total annual revenue of $25.2 billion for 2025, with a record 159 million fans attending its promoted shows across 55,000 concerts. For the first time, more of those fans were outside the United States than inside it.Music Business Worldwide