In a move with national touring industry implications, Brock Jones, formerly VP of Bookings at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, has joined Philadelphia-based sports and entertainment firm Comcast-Spectacor in the newly-created role of VP of Bookings. Jones, a 23-year veteran booker of concerts and events, will handle bookings for both Global Spectrum, the company’s facility management firm, and Paciolan, the company’s ticketing software company.
In his new position, Jones will work closely with Global Spectrum COO John Page and the company’s regional vice presidents to bring a variety of performers to Global Spectrum-managed venues. In addition, Jones will also assist Paciolan and their clients in seeking booking opportunities, according to Page.
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Jones, who will relocate to Philadelphia, joins Global Spectrum after spending the past six years at the Bridgestone Arena, where he was responsible for acquiring, scheduling and overseeing all events at Bridgestone Arena. Under Jones’ watch, the arena has significantly increased the number of major concert bookings at the 15-year-old, 20,000-capacity arena, and improved Nashville’s reputation as a market that can sell concert and event tickets to a wide range of attractions.
Calling his time in Nashville “the most rewarding experience of my career,” Jones cites relationships built across the national touring business in general, and specifically within the Nashville-based music community. “The daily interaction with industry professionals such as Rob Beckham (WME), Brian O’Connell (Live Nation), John Huie (CAA) and Clarence Spalding (Spalding Entertainment) is immeasurable,” Jones tells Billboard.biz. “I cannot thank my clients and peers enough for the growth I’ve achieved. Nashville is truly family, one day we scream at each other and the next we’re having dinner together. It is the best of our industry and I’ll miss it immensely. Only an opportunity as dynamic and progressive as that presented by Global Spectrum and Paciolan could ever make me leave this environment. I had to take advantage of working with one of the most respected people our industry has produced in [Comcast-Spectacor President] Peter Luukko.
Jones’ addition to the Global Comcast team reflects a growing trend for arenas and other venues to be more proactive in procuring content. “As our company continues its rapid growth, we felt it was important to create a new position and hire someone of Brock’s caliber to focus on increasing bookings and enhancing event schedules at the more than 110 venues our company manages around the world,” says Page. “Brock has the experience, knowledge, and resources to help us achieve new successes for our diverse roster of worldwide clients. We’re very excited to have him join Global Spectrum.”
The fact that Jones’ duties will also include Paciolan reflects the growing role that ticketing companies are playing in the modern concert industry dynamic. “Many of our Paciolan clients also want assistance in finding opportunities to bring concert acts to their venues, so we too will rely on Brock’s ability to further assist our clients in bringing incremental content to their facilities,” says Paciolan CEO David Butler.
Jones began his career booking acts throughout the Western United States as an independent promoter (Cutthroat Productions in Salt Lake City) before becoming involved in venue management. His extensive career in facility management also includes Director of Events, Department of Cultural Facilities, Arts and Entertainment in Norfolk, Va. (2001-2005); Director of the Colonial Theatre for the Performing Arts in Idaho Falls, Idaho, (1998-2000); and Director of the ASISU Presents at Idaho State University in Pocatello, ID, (1988-89).
In addition, he serves on the Nashville Music Business Council, the Advisory Board for the Nashville Chapter of Musician’s On Call, the Board of Director’s for the T.J. Martell Foundation and is an active Alumni of Leadership Music. Jones earned a BA degree from Idaho State University and attended Law School at The University of The Pacific.
Global Spectrum manages more than 100 other public assembly facilities around the world. Comcast-Spectacor also owns the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League, Ovations Food Services, New Era Tickets, Paciolan, Front Row Marketing Services, and Flyers Skate Zone, a series of community ice skating rinks.