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NAMES & JOBS
MAY 2019
Thomas Ovesen heads to Saudi Arabia From VIP-Daily News Entertainment veteran Thomas Ovesen has
recognized for pioneering lifestyle, culture
production services across the Middle East,
joined the Diriyah Gate Development Authority
and live entertainment.”
US, UK, Europe, Africa and Australia.
Home of one of the Kingdom’s UNESCO
Ovesen joins a team of international experts
In his new role, Ovesen will support the
World Heritage sites, Diriyah is recognized as
led by DGDA CEO, Jerry Inzerillo, hospitality
growth of Diriyah and help realize its vision
the historical birthplace of the Kingdom and
and entertainment visionary with over 50
to become an internationally renowned
a cultural gathering place in Riyadh. Ovesen’s
years’ experience.
gathering place with world-class experiences
responsibilities
and family friendly entertainment.
organizing and executing entertainment
Celebrating the arrival of Thomas, who
activities in line with DGDA’s strategic
joined DGDA in April, Inzerillo commented,
A major player in the development of the live
vision, leveraging his international expertise
“Thomas brings a wealth of experience
entertainment industry in the Middle East
to promote local and international talent.
to Saudi Arabia from his decades in the
over the past two decades, Thomas leaves
Alongside the rest of the team at DGDA,
entertainment sector working with some of
his position as Chief Operating Officer at
he will work to enrich the Kingdom’s
the biggest names in global entertainment.
AEG Ogden Dubai Arena to join DGDA.
entertainment industry in order to make
We worked together on the launch of
Diriyah the Middle East’s newest and most
the Atlantis Hotel Palm Dubai, and I truly
exciting entertainment destination.
believe he is the best person to lead DGDA’s
(DGDA) as Director of Entertainment.
Commenting on his move, Ovesen said,
involve
conceptualizing,
“This is a great time to come to the Kingdom
entertainment programming, as he brings
as it drives new entertainment programming
Thomas set up AEG Live Middle East in
to life incredible events that will show
into the capital. Entertainment is a key
2007 in the UAE and helped launch the
visitors from all over the world what Diriyah
component of the experiences that keep
35,000-capacity open air Autism Rocks
has to offer.”
a destination exciting and in Diriyah, we
Arena (now 117Live Arena). His work in
will be developing an offering of activities
the Emirates led to celebrated shows in
During his career, Thomas has won more
suitable for the whole family, from ticketed
Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Throughout his
awards than any other promoter in the
live shows to public outdoor experiences.
career, Thomas has serviced regional and
region – from Best Comedy Show to multiple
I look forward to being part of Diriyah’s
international events and companies with
Best Concert Awards – and is celebrated for
emergence as a global gathering place
international talent bookings and event
many of his festival properties.
Thomas Ovesen
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