AEG Facilities-SMG Management Merger To Propel Int'l Growth

The big venue management merger between AEG Facilities and SMG has expanded into Europe, Australia, Asia and Latin America.

The merged company will be called ASM Global. It will manage 310 venues worldwide, including the Friends Arena in Stockholm, Wroclaw Stadium in Poland, Mercedes-Benz Arena in Shanghai, the Buenos Aires Arena and the new Stadio della Roma.

AEG Facilities President Bob Newman will take over as president and CEO of the new L.A.-based ASM Global after the merger finalizes later this year.

Newman sees the merger propelling more int'l growth. “For example, in Australia we have a very big footprint today. In the United Kingdom, SMG has a very big footprint,” Newman said.

AEG manages Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, RAC Arena in Perth and Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney. It also oversees The O2 arena in London. SMG brings its venue management of the Manchester Arena and new Bristol Arena into ASM’s fold.