AEG has promoted Staples Center Senior VP & GM LEE ZEIDMAN to President. In his new title, Zeidman will continue to oversee arena operations in L.A., as well as operations for the Nokia Theatre and L.A. Live complex. But moving forward, AEG has consolidated all aspects of running those three properties under one umbrella with all department heads reporting to Zeidman. Under the old structure across the three venues, staff members tied to event management, booking, sales and marketing, PR, security and parking were separate entities. Zeidman said under the new structure, the operation will be more efficient and it will be easier to get things done as it relates to the entire campus, without competing against each other. Overall, Zeidman has worked for AEG for 17 years. He was hired in '98 as Staples Center’s first full-time employee. He also spent 10 years working at the Forum, which previously housed the NHL Kings and Lakers (Don Muret, Staff Writer). BILLBOARD's Ray Waddell notes Zeidman also "leads AEG’s overall event partnership associations." As part of his expanded role, Zeidman will "continue to work on behalf of AEG to partner with producers, promoters, leagues, agencies and other entities to develop and create new programming and events for venues both within L.A. Live and AEG’s network of facilities worldwide" (BILLBOARD.com, 7/23).
