Artist Group International is expanding even further into the European market through a new alliance with X-ray Touring. AGI is part investment firm Yucaipa’s Y Entertainment Group, which is also extending a joint venture with X-ray Touring.
The companies will work together, with X-ray under the continued control and direction of founding partners Martin Horne, Ian Huffam, Steve Strange and Scott Thomas to expand on their unique position in the global agency business.
“This had been a long time coming and I know all of X-ray is excited by this strategic partnership with AGI and Y Entertainment,” said Huffman in a release. “There will be many changes over the next few years but our proven collective track records offer artistes the best route forward to live success.”
The new alliance will bring together extensive artist rosters from both X-ray Touring and AGI. X-ray represents more than 400 acts including Coldplay, Eminem, Robbie Williams, Gorillaz, Queens Of The Stone Age, Linkin Park, Pixies, Stereophonics, Bombay Bicycle Club, Phoebe Bridgers, The Internet, The Offspring, Enter Shikari and Fever 333. AGI’s notable artists include Billy Joel, Metallica, Rod Stewart, Neil Young, Linkin Park, Motley Crue, Def Leppard, The Strokes and Cage the Elephant.
AGI chairman Dennis Arfa added his admiration for the X-ray team, stating “We have wanted to work with X-ray for many years and are thrilled to finally have the opportunity to do so.”
Yucaipa also have interests in London based talent agencies Independent Talent Group (ITG) and K2, LBI Entertainment talent management, Independent Sports & Entertainment, Steinberg Sports, APA, US promoter Danny Wimmer Presents and Spain’s Primavera Sound festival.
“I am thrilled and excited to be joining forces with X-ray, a company that I have long admired and respected,” said AGI president Marsha Vlasic in a release. “I feel extremely positive about all of us being able to do great things together. During a time like this which has been so difficult for all us, having this come together has been such a breath of fresh air and energy. Glad and proud to be part of this family!”
X-ray have also announced the addition of long-standing agent Josh Javor to the management board. Javor has been with the company since its inception and X-ray believes he will bring invaluable fresh insight across all of the agency’s activities.
“I am personally excited and delighted by our renewed joint venture partnership with my good friend Ron Burkle and the Yucaipa group,” said X-ray’s Strange in a release. “I am also looking forward to our new strategic partnership with AGI in the US. I have known Dennis and Marsha and others at AGI for many years and I truly believe that our alliance will work fantastically well. We already feel that the chemistry between both companies can only strengthen our global impact.”
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