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About Michael Rapino
In 2011, Michael Rapino and Live Nation identified an opportunity to create more exclusive experiences for fans, and VIP Nation was born. The pinnacle of Rapino’s leadership is innovation and growth as it relates to serving the millions of fans who depend on the Live Nation family of brands, and offering up unbeatable, real-life experiences encapsulates what motivated Rapino to enter the entertainment industry in the first place.
As early as college, Rapino knew he was destined to make waves within the music industry. At Lakehead University, Rapino told his mentor Rob Peters that he wanted to run a live concert company by the time he was 40, and they put their plan down on a napkin. While VIP Nation wasn’t specifically part of the plan at that point, he dedicated himself to a mission of serving live event-goers like himself.
First came a number of leadership roles that shaped who he is today, including a Senior Executive position at Labatt Breweries of Canada, and later serving as CEO of Clear Channel Communications. Not one for snap decisions, Rapino believes in playing the long game, and keeping fans excited about live events in the digital age has always been a critical part of his work.
His unique position of serving both the fans and the artists they love affords him an unrivaled insight into ways to move the industry forward. As a lifelong fan of live music himself, Rapino knows what it takes to create an exceptional experience. This knowledge has driven the invention of a number of upgraded ticket package options in addition to VIP Nation, including Live Nation Premium Tickets and Ticketmaster Premium Tickets.
Since 2005, Rapino has grown Live Nation into a global name that includes a family of powerhouse brands that work to serve each step of a fan’s journey, from securely buying tickets, to finding the optimal seats, to connecting with artists in ways more authentic and meaningful than ever. As President and CEO, Rapino has led Live Nation Entertainment to become the world’s leading live entertainment company.
Rapino’s leadership has lauded him widespread recognition, including being named a Variety500 honoree.
Born and raised in Ontario, Rapino and his family currently reside in Los Angeles.
