20
JAY MARCIANO, 63
COO, AEG; chairman/CEO, AEG Presents
Last Year’s Rank: 21
A NEW NAME AND A RECORD YEAR: In 2017, Marciano presided over the rebranding of AEG Live to AEG Presents — and it certainly didn’t hurt business. The live-event company grossed $1.3 billion from 2,928 shows, both company records.
WHAT’S IN A NAME CHANGE: “We felt the new name better represented us as producers and presenters of live entertainment,” says Marciano; whether or not ticket buyers agreed, they flocked to AEG events. Among the concerts that made 2017 AEG’s most prosperous year to date were the top-grossing festival of the year (Coachella), the top pop tour (Ed Sheeran) and The Rolling Stones‘ European run, which averaged over $8.5 million per show — higher than any other act in 2017.
