AEG Marketing Chief to Head Sports Division

In a move that reflects the growing sweep of AEG’s sports and entertainment businesses, the Los Angeles-based company Monday promoted Chief Marketing Officer Shawn Hunter to the newly created position of president of its sports-related operations.

The appointment of Hunter is expected to free AEG President and Chief Executive Tim Leiweke to focus on the company’s strategic planning, as well as oversee AEG’s growing stable of non-sports businesses.

Although best known locally for its ownership of Staples Center and the Kings, AEG also has been opening live theaters around the United States.

AEG, the entertainment and development unit of Anschutz Corp., also plans to add retail, restaurant and entertainment complexes adjacent to Staples Center and the soon-to-be-refurbished Millennium Dome in London.

Hunter, 42, has been chief marketing officer at privately held AEG since 2003. He will oversee the Kings, the company’s growing stable of soccer teams, a professional lacrosse team that soon will be up and running in Los Angeles, and special events, including boxing, tennis, cycling and track.

Hunter also will continue to serve as AEG’s top marketing officer for both its sports and entertainment ventures.

Entertainment industry observers suggested that the appointment made sense given the company’s dramatic growth.

“I’ve often wondered how Tim Leiweke could remain so active in all of their divisions,” said Gary Bongiovanni, editor of concert trade publication Pollstar. “They have their hands in so many different things.”

Leiweke was unavailable for comment.

AEG, which also owns movie theaters and has a growing interest in film production, is one of the nation’s largest concert promoters.

The company plans to build a string of live theaters that will include locations in New York, Dallas and Los Angeles, and it has established a presence in Las Vegas through a business unit that produces the Celine Dion stage show at Caesars Palace.

The new position was designed to ensure that “we manage our assets properly; we needed to have focused responsibilities,” said AEG Chief Operating Officer Scott Blackmun. “Shawn has a strong background in the sports world, and that will give Tim the time he needs to focus more on the big picture.”

Hunter, who joined AEG after serving as president of the Phoenix Coyotes of the NHL, said he would focus on generating revenue from ticket sales, premium seating programs at sports events and sponsorships.

Although Hunter will oversee AEG’s sports teams, he said he intended to leave day-to-day matters to team managers.