Premier Productions Announces Promotions, Expansions

Premier Productions has announced several company promotions. CEO Michael Pugh has been elevated to partner, Dan Rauter has been promoted from Strategic Partners Director to Vice President of Strategy and Partnership, Jonathan Roberts has been promoted from Touring Director to Sr Talent Buyer; Rann Russell has been promoted from Touring Coordinator to Talent Buyer; and Mallory Willingham has been promoted from Touring Coordinator to Talent Buyer.

“We are thrilled to welcome Michael Pugh as a partner,” said Shane Quick, co-owner of Premier Productions, the fourth largest promoter in the U.S. “Michael, Jonathan Roberts and Dan Rauter embody the leadership action and influence of a dream team. We sold 1.7 million tickets in 2019 and they are keys to that success and our future.”

“I am grateful to become a Partner with Roy, Gary and Shane in Premier and am equally excited for the changes we have made in our talent buying department,” said Partner and CEO Pugh. “Industry veteran Dan Rauter’s expertise combined with Jonathan Robert’s pace-setting passion plus Mallory Willingham’s and Rann Russell’s strengths in event development provide an even stronger foundation for our faith and family platform.”

“Premier has created a work environment that encourages partnership, personal growth, and professionalism (while still having a whole lot of fun),” said Dan Rauter. “We’re encouraged to think outside the box, try new things, and dream big. I’m so fortunate to be at Premier and be a part of this exciting time of growth and opportunity.”

“Thank you to Shane, Gary, Roy, and Michael for the foundation they’ve built at Premier and this amazing opportunity,” said Jonathan Roberts. “I love fostering innovation and new business. Our team collaboration gives way to success stories like Dude Perfect, growth for Hillsong United, and cross-genre tours like Hillsong Worship, Casting Crowns, and Elevation Worship.”

Premier has also announced the acquisition of two entities that provide the company with a full suite of end-to-end services to better serve its artists and event partners. Premier has acquired Loop, a company that operates VIP fan experiences and connects volunteers with both non-profits and artists in need of a team to help run their events. Helmed by Allyson Nelson, Loop launched in 2015 and has since recruited more than 90,000 volunteers who have staffed over 2500 events for leading artists and non-profits.

Premier has also developed Platform, a ticketing and conference registration service. The primary target market for Platform is churches, an underserved market with a defined need for a robust ticketing solution.

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Lorie Hollabaugh

Hollabaugh, a staff writer at MusicRow magazine, has over 20 years of music business experience and has written for publications including American Profile, CMA Close Up, Nashville Arts And Entertainment, The Boot and Country Weekly. She has a Broadcast Journalism and Speech Communication degree from Texas Christian University, (go Horned Frogs), and welcomes your feedback or story ideas at lhollabaugh@musicrow.com.

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