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Expansion

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Events

Sela appoint Luke Lloyd-Davies and Ed Hepworth as a part of global expansion strategy

by jummy84
written by jummy84

Sela is delighted to announce two new appointments to the international executive team based in London.

Luke Lloyd-Davies, formerly of Sir Elton John’s Rocket Entertainment Group, has been named as Chief Growth Officer, whilst Ed Hepworth, previously of Six Nations Rugby and National Basketball Association, has joined as Chief Financial Officer.

These appointments reinforce Sela’s ambition to combine creative excellence, global entertainment expertise, and robust financial leadership to deliver spectacular experiences worldwide.

Luke Lloyd-Davies, Chief Growth Officer – International at Sela 

For over 23 years, Luke-Lloyd Davies served as the Chief Operating Officer of Sir Elton John’s Rocket Entertainment Group. As a partner and shareholder in Rocket Music, he helped develop and represent major talent including Ed Sheeran, James Blunt and Lily Allen. In 2012, he and Sir Elton John co-founded Rocket Sports Management, creating standout sporting moments for athletes and partners while collaborating with global brands such as Ford, Vodafone, Lexus and TAG. In 2024, he won an Emmy as Executive Producer of the landmark Disney+ livestream of Elton John’s final North American show at Dodger Stadium and oversaw the execution of the Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour – one of the highest grossing tours of all time at just under a billion dollars. 

Luke joins Sela’s international team as Chief Growth Officer to drive its creative, entertainment and event-production ambitions as the company continues to scale globally. 

Most recently, he played a key role supporting Sela’s investment in The Hunger Games: On Stage – the new live theatrical adaptation now running in London at the purpose-built Troubadour Canary Wharf Theatre and is leading on all of Sela’s international IP development across the sports and entertainment sectors. 

Ed Hepworth, Chief Financial Officer – International at Sela

Ed Hepworth brings over 30 years of experience, having held senior financial leadership roles across high-profile international organisations sports, media and entertainment organisations – including Six Nations Rugby, World Athletics and the NBA. 

Ed’s experience will be critical in supporting Sela’s ambitious global expansion strategy – overseeing global finance, commercial operations, and helping align international growth with the company’s long-term objectives.

Stewart Hosford, CEO – International at Sela, said:

“Luke and Ed bring decades of experience building some of the world’s most successful entertainment and sports brands. Their combined track record – from global tours to international sports organisations and rights holders – will be instrumental as we expand Sela’s international footprint and elevate the standard of live experiences worldwide” 

In 2025, Sela helped deliver the biggest international boxing event of the year with Terence Crawford vs. Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, staged in front of a sellout crowd at Allegiant Stadium in Nevada. Sela also delivered the historic British bout between Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn in April 2025 and the rematch this November. Sela’s investment in The Hunger Games: On Stage London production marks another milestone in its growing entertainment portfolio.

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Events

emc3 forms the emc3 Collective with acquisition of BEG to drive strategic expansion

by jummy84
written by jummy84

New umbrella group unites emc3, BEG, and From Now, marking the beginning of a values-driven, global growth platform for experience-led agencies.

Global event agency emc3 has announced the formation of the emc3 Collective, a newly established umbrella group that brings together specialist agencies united by shared values, creative excellence, and commercial ambition. The launch of the Collective coincides with the strategic acquisition of BEG (Boston Experiential Group), a full-service B2C experiential agency based in the United States.

The emc3 Collective now includes:

  • emc3 – a global B2B events agency known for strategic, high-impact experiences
  • BEG – B2C experiential and activation specialists driven by innovation and storytelling
  • From Now – a sustainability consultancy delivering purpose-led strategy and ESG integration across events and brand experiences

“The emc3 Collective represents the next chapter of our journey, bringing together bold, creative, and values-led agencies that can scale with intention,” said Alistair Graham, CEO of the emc3 Collective. “With BEG coming on board, we’re expanding our reach, diversifying our offering, and laying the foundations for future growth.”

A strategic partnership rooted in shared values

Founded by Sophia D’Angelo, BEG delivers standout consumer campaigns for leading global brands including P&G, Meta, Fever-Tree, Samuel Adams, and Welch’s. The agency will continue to operate independently under its existing brand and leadership. Sophia remains the Managing Director of BEG, joining the emc3 Collective’s senior leadership team and reporting to Lee-Anne Caldwell, Global Managing Director of the Collective.

“From the outset, it was clear that we shared the same energy, ambition, and people-first approach,” said Sophia D’Angelo. “The emc3 Collective gives us the platform to keep doing what we do best, with the added benefit of scale, support, and a shared vision for what’s next.”

The formation of the Collective builds on a period of transformational growth for emc3, which has:

  • Achieved B Corp Certification
  • Received the King’s Award for Enterprise
  • Acquired From Now, reinforcing its commitment to sustainable practices
  • Expanded its US footprint through the relocation of CSO Dan Curtis to New York
  • Appointed Lee-Anne Caldwell as Global Managing Director
  • Secured Gold EcoVadis Certification

A platform for sustainable growth and future acquisitions

The emc3 Collective has been built as a platform to scale talent, technology, and capability across values-led agencies. The acquisition of BEG marks the first in a planned series of strategic additions, as the Collective expands its global footprint with intention.

Each agency retains its own identity while benefiting from shared infrastructure, operational support, and a connected global network. For clients, the model offers a single, trusted partner delivering aligned, purpose-led experiences across B2B, B2C, and sustainability.

The acquisition of BEG and the formation of the Collective were officially announced at a recent Pulse event, emc3’s community-led event series, during its Austin debut.

“This is just the beginning,” added Daniel Curtis, Chief Strategy Officer, emc3 Collective. “With the acquisition of BEG, we’re excited to operate in the B2C space. The emc3 Collective brings bold, values-led agencies together, and we’re actively exploring further acquisitions to expand our capabilities for our clients around the world.”

With the formation of the Collective, emc3 is raising the bar, blending international scale with creative excellence and cross-disciplinary expertise to deliver unified, high-impact, sustainable experiences across B2B and B2C.

To learn more about the emc3 Collective and its growing group of agencies, visit emc3collective.com.

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Events

Middle East move signals start of global expansion for Strata

by jummy84
written by jummy84

Strata, the brand experience agency which is part of the Strata Group has begun its first steps towards international expansion with a strategic focus on the Middle East. Senior Account Manager Gabriella Duranti-Hey has relocated to the region on an extended assignment to explore business development opportunities, meet existing and prospective clients and assess the potential for establishing a long-term presence.

The move is part of a phased international growth strategy, placing a dedicated team member in-market to strengthen relationships with clients already operating in the region, particularly across pharma, medical aesthetics, luxury, automotive, technology and financial services.

“This is an exciting opportunity to grow our footprint in a region that holds huge potential,” said Gabriella. “Many of our clients have asked when we’ll have a presence here. Being on the ground enables us to explore what’s possible and where Strata can add value. It’s the first step in what could become a broader global expansion for the group.”

The initiative follows extensive desk research and a business plan developed in 2024. By embedding talent locally, Strata is taking a deliberate and informed approach to international growth, drawing on proven models of success within the sector.

Cole Mulkerins, CEO of Strata, commented, “This marks a pivotal moment for Strata. Expanding into the Middle East is not just about geography, it’s about deepening client relationships, unlocking new markets, and positioning ourselves for long-term, sustainable growth. It’s the first step in a wider international vision that will see our agencies explore new regions while maintaining the creativity and client service we’re known for.

Having a trusted team member on the ground gives us the insight and agility to grow organically in a way that aligns with our values and our ambition. It’s an exciting evolution for the business and a natural next step.”

The Middle East also provides a strategic launchpad for future growth across Asia Pacific, North America and Africa, aligning with the longer term ambitions of Strata and the wider Group.. Further updates on Strata’s international plans will be shared later this year.

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HBO Max Continues Asia Pacific Expansion With 14-Market Launch
TV & Streaming

HBO Max Continues Asia Pacific Expansion With 14-Market Launch

by jummy84
written by jummy84

Warner Bros. Discovery is accelerating its international streaming push with HBO Max‘s expansion into 14 additional Asia Pacific territories set for Oct. 15.

The rollout will bring the premium streamer to Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Macau, Mongolia, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, among other territories, marking another significant milestone in the platform’s aggressive global expansion strategy.

The launch timing aligns strategically with HBO’s upcoming original series “IT: Welcome to Derry,” which premieres Oct. 27. The Stephen King-inspired drama features an ensemble cast led by Taylour Paige, Jovan Adepo, Chris Chalk, James Remar, Stephen Rider, Madeleine Stowe, Rudy Mancuso, and Bill Skarsgård. Andy Muschietti, Barbara Muschietti, and Jason Fuchs developed the series, which expands the horror universe Muschietti established in his “IT” film duology.

“Following successful launches in Australia and Europe earlier this year, the global expansion of HBO Max continues to bring unparalleled entertainment to more fans across the world,” said JB Perrette, CEO and president of global streaming and games at Warner Bros. Discovery. “By the end of the year, HBO Max will be available in more than 100 markets, with more to come in 2026, including major launches in Germany, Italy and the U.K.”

The service will showcase Warner Bros. Discovery’s portfolio spanning HBO’s prestige programming, blockbuster franchises like “Harry Potter” and DC Universe properties, plus content from Cartoon Network and various lifestyle networks including Discovery, TLC, Food Network, ID and HGTV.

New subscribers will access recent theatrical releases including “Superman,” “Sinners” and “Final Destination: Bloodlines,” alongside HBO’s flagship series “House of the Dragon,” “The Last of Us,” “The Penguin,” and “The Pitt.”

The platform will also feature upcoming originals “The Paper” and “MobLand,” reality programming like “Gold Rush,” “Deadliest Catch,” and “90 Day Fiancé,” plus animated favorites spanning “Adventure Time,” “We Bare Bears,” “Tom and Jerry,” “Looney Tunes,” and “The Wonderfully Weird World of Gumball.”

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Event Industry News
Events

DRPG announces landmark year of growth, expansion, and innovation

by jummy84
written by jummy84

Creative communications group unveils record-breaking success, new offices, advanced tech investments, and thriving B2C delivery.

In the face of economic and political volatility, the group has outperformed market expectations, reaching its full-year revenue target of £60 million just nine months into 2025. This achievement has enabled bold infrastructure investments, including new regional sites in London and office expansions in Manchester, and the US.

DRPG’s B2C experience delivery has also seen exponential growth over the last 18 months. Building on B2B foundations, the group has successfully delivered high-impact consumer activations for brands such as Santander, Tesco, INEOS and PICO. With activations across FMCG, automotive and global trade shows. DRPG’s expertise now spans both consumer and corporate markets, blending strategy, content, and immersive experience to drive ROI for their clients.

With demand growing for more immersive, personalised and tech-enabled experiences, DRPG has continued to evolve its solutions through focused innovation and rapid delivery. The group’s ‘DRPG Labs’ team has been instrumental in identifying, testing, and integrating new technologies into both client work and internal processes.

From AI-powered audience emotion tracking and avatar-led learning tools to virtual showrooms and experiential interfaces, DRPG Labs has helped push what’s possible in content, experience, and communications. Many of these tools are now in regular use across the business and by clients globally.

Panel discussion as part of the DRPG All-Team Autumn Hangout

Head of Innovation Nick Fagan said, “Innovation is about finding what actually works and applying it in ways that make a real difference. Whether it’s AI, immersive environments or new experience formats, our focus is always on making things smarter, faster and more effective for clients. With the DRPG Labs and Digital teams, we’re seeing real-world impact across both internal and client projects, and that’s exactly where innovation should live.”

In North America, TSEC has entered a new phase of growth within the DRP Group, marked by significant investment in its U.S. studio capabilities and the launch of a dedicated film unit. With expanded facilities, refreshed branding, and a strengthened North American presence, TSEC is now positioned to deliver fully integrated creative and production services for clients across global markets.

While many businesses have paused investment or scaled back their operations in a climate of political volatility and economic uncertainty, DRPG has moved decisively in the opposite direction, delivering strategic expansion, bold infrastructure investment, and a clear commitment to innovation, talent, and client service.

CEO Dale Parmenter commented, “We’ve had a phenomenal year. In our 45th year of business we’ve hit our numbers early, grown our offer in the right areas, and stayed true to who we are. We’re in a strong position and building from it, not just to grow, but to grow in the right way, putting service, quality and creativity at the heart of everything we do.”

To find out more about DRPG, click here.

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Judge Blocks Expansion Of 'Alligator Alcatraz' Detention Center Citing Environmental Risks, Gov. DeSantis Files Appeal
Celebrity News

Judge Blocks Expansion Of ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ Detention Center Citing Environmental Risks, Gov. DeSantis Files Appeal

by jummy84
written by jummy84

Judge Blocks Expansion Of ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ Detention Center Citing Environmental Risks, Gov. DeSantis Files Appeal

 

A federal judge has ordered that the Florida detention facility known as “Alligator Alcatraz” can no longer take new detainees or continue construction.

After environmental groups filed a lawsuit alleging violations of the National Environmental Policy Act, U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams issued a preliminary injunction Thursday (Aug. 21), citing significant environmental risks posed by the facility. These include additional paving, high-powered lighting, and frenetic human activity that did not exist before the detention center was built.

Following the ruling, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ administration filed an appeal with the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

The facility, which opened in July, was intended to house up to 3,000 detainees and expand immigration enforcement in Florida.

Thoughts?

[VIA]


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