Veteran live entertainment executive Aldo Giampaolo has been named head of Cirque du Soleil’s new business unit, Theatre Shows. As GM, Giampaolo will manage operations and develop commercial activities of the unit.
Giampolo comes to Cirque du Soleil from the Gillett Entertainment Group in Montreal, where he became president in 2001. Gillette was the eighth-ranked promoter in the world in 2004, according to Billboard Boxscore. At Gillette, Giampaolo oversaw talent buying for the Bell Centre in Montreal, which was seventh among all large arenas worldwide in 2004.
Cirque du Soleil recently announced a partnership with Clear Channel Entertainment to create a series of arena concerts, which will begin next winter and visit 100 North American cities. Giampaolo and his team will manage the partnership.
At Cirque du Soleil, Giampaolo will be supported by Kiki Nesbitt as executive producer, who has worked with the organization for 12 years.