O2 renews partnership with AEG for The O2

LONDON, Feb. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- O2 and AEG have today announced the signing of a new agreement for the world's most successful music and entertainment venue, The O2.  The landmark deal secures O2 as The O2's naming rights partner for a further ten years.

The renewed partnership will see O2 and AEG continue to set the industry benchmark for live entertainment.  It continues O2's commitment to customers and will see them benefit from even more early access to tickets for shows at The O2.  From 2018, double the number of tickets for O2 customers will be available via Priority Tickets, ensuring they get access 48 hours before general release.  Both O2 and AEG will make joint investments to ensure O2 customer spaces, venue access and in-venue experiences are best in class.  These include providing high density O2 Wifi throughout the entire venue, facilities to host more customers and their guests pre-show, as well as the recently announced 205,000sq ft. designer outlet village, currently under construction and due to open in late 2018.

Using data driven insight, the deal will renew the focus on fans to create even more unforgettable moments.  It will see O2 and AEG working together to bring more integrated and personalised experiences direct to fans, enhancing the live experience before, during and after each event.

New technology installed in the arena will track and analyse crowd movements, using complex algorithms to reveal unique data.  Information such as calories burned, noise generated by the audience, as well as the most popular moment of the night based on the crowd's response will be shared with fans to allow them to relive their experience and share it with friends via social media.

O2 and AEG's partnership dates back to 2005, when a landmark deal was signed to turn the Millennium Dome into The O2.  Opening its doors to the public in 2007, the iconic London venue has been officially crowned as the most popular arena globally in terms of ticket sales every year since.  Celebrating its tenth birthday in June this year, over 60 million people have visited The O2 and almost 20 million tickets have been sold for shows ranging from music to sport to live entertainment. 

Over the past ten years, the venue has hosted some of the world's biggest stars and events from Beyoncé to Bob Dylan, the BRITs to Peter Kay and World Championship Boxing to the ATP World Tour Finals.  Prince holds the record for the longest straight residency at The O2 with an impressive 21 nights in its opening year.  And only a handful of other performers have joined The O2's 21 Club by playing 21 nights or more since 2007.  These include: Take That, Michael McIntyre, One Direction and children's choir Young Voices.  In 2012, AEG and O2 launched Up at The O2, a unique, guided expedition across the roof the venue via a tensile fabric walkway suspended 53m above ground level, giving climbers spectacular 360 degree views of London.

Commenting on the deal, Mark Evans CEO at O2 said:  "We are incredibly proud of our highly successful partnership with AEG that has made The O2 into the internationally renowned music and entertainment venue it is today.  Over the past ten years our work together has set an industry gold standard and it will continue to do so for the next ten years.

The new deal reaffirms our commitment to customers, with the number of tickets available to shows via Priority Tickets doubling ? giving them access to tickets to unforgettable live experiences 48 hours before anyone else."

Paul Samuels, Executive Vice President of AEG Europe said:  "Together AEG and O2 have created the world's most popular music and entertainment venue, now celebrating its 10^th year of operation.  From signing the deal back in 2005, O2 have become a significant and transformative force in the music business and our partnership has enabled countless benefits and experiences for their customers and all music, sports and entertainment fans.

We're thrilled they're committing to The O2 once again and know it will enable the venue to become even better for fans and the artists that play here.  The O2 would not be the success it is without the support and commitment of our partners."

At The O2 over the past ten years:

• 2007: Bon Jovi open the venue and legendary group Led Zeppelin play The O2 in December.
• 2008: The Spice Girls complete 15 nights as part of their reunion tour.  It was the fastest selling shows on record (All sold out in 38 seconds).
• 2009: ATP World Tour Finals make London and The O2 their home.  Russia's Davydenko beats Juan Martin del Potro to the title.
• 2010: The O2 becomes the home of the National Television Awards.
• 2011: The first only NBA season game outside the US is played at The O2.  The NBA return every year.
• 2012: The O2 is transformed into the North Greenwich Arena for the Olympic Games.
• 2013: One Direction complete 11 shows at the venue as part of their world tour.
• 2014: After almost 30 years Monty Python reforms and plays 10 nights.
• 2015: O2 unveiled the world's largest projection of a giant red rose onto the roof of the venue in support of the England Rugby team.
• 2016: Muse breaks the record for the largest attendance at over 21,000 for their Drones World Tour.

The O2 consists of the 21,000 capacity arena, indigo at The O2 ? a 2,800 capacity theatre style venue and Building Six ? a 3,000 capacity superclub.  It also includes an exhibition space currently housing the STAR WARS Identities exhibition and previously home to others including Tutankhamun, the British Music Experience and Elvis at The O2.  The venue is also home to 26 bars and restaurants, an 11 screen cinema complex and the roof walk experience Up at The O2.

For more information about Priority Tickets visit here.

The deal was negotiated by AEG Global Partnerships, the team responsible for all sponsorships and partnership activations across AEG's businesses in the UK and Europe.

O2 Press Office contacts
t +44 (0)1753 565656
e: [email protected]

All O2 news release can be accessed at our website: www.o2.co.uk/news

The O2 Press Team
t: +44 (0)20 8463 2500
e:[email protected]

Notes to editors

About O2

O2 is the commercial brand of Telefónica UK Limited and is a leading digital communications company with the highest customer satisfaction for any mobile provider according to Ofcom. With over 25 million customers, O2 runs 2G, 3G and 4G networks across the UK, as well as operating O2 Wifi and owning half of Tesco Mobile. O2 has over 450 retail stores and sponsors The O2, O2 Academy venues and the England rugby team. Read more about O2 at www.o2.co.uk/news.

Telefónica UK Limited is registered in England and Wales. Registration number: 1743099.
Its registered office is at: 260 Bath Road, Slough, Berkshire, SL1 4DX, United Kingdom.

About AEG
Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, AEG is the world's leading sports and live entertainment company. With offices on five continents, AEG operates in the following business segments: AEG Facilities, which is affiliated with or owns, manages or consults with more than 120 preeminent arenas, stadiums, theaters, clubs and convention centers around the world including The O2 Arena, the Sprint Center and the Mercedes-Benz Arenas; AEG Live, which is dedicated to all aspects of live contemporary music performances, including producing and promoting global and regional concert tours, music and special events and world-renowned festivals; AEG Real Estate, which develops world-class venues, as well as major sports and entertainment districts like STAPLES Center and L.A. LIVE; AEG Sports, which is the world's largest operator of sports franchises and high-profile sporting events; and AEG Global Partnerships, which oversees worldwide sales and servicing of sponsorships including naming rights, premium seating and other strategic partnerships. Through its worldwide network of venues, portfolio of powerful sports and music brands and its integrated entertainment districts, AEG entertains more than 100 million guests annually. More information about AEG can be found at www.aegworldwide.com.

SOURCE AEG