Sphere Entertainment Co., the company behind the innovative Sphere venues that are redefining the future of live entertainment, has announced the appointment of Jennifer Koester as the new President of Sphere Business Operations, effective from February 5. Koester, a former Google executive with over 25 years of diverse experience, will lead the strategy and execution of all business aspects of Sphere, including maximizing the calendar and ticket sales, driving strategic partnerships, and developing a corporate conference business.

Sphere: A Next-Generation Entertainment Medium

Sphere is a revolutionary entertainment medium that combines cutting-edge technology, immersive sound, and stunning visuals to create a unique and unforgettable experience for audiences. The first Sphere venue opened in Las Vegas in September 2023, and has since attracted millions of visitors, brands, and artists from around the world. Sphere Entertainment Co. (NYSE: SPHR) plans to open more Sphere venues in other major cities in the near future.

Sphere offers a variety of shows and attractions that cater to different tastes and preferences, such as:

• Sphere Music: A live music series that features some of the biggest names in the industry, as well as emerging talents, performing in Sphere’s state-of-the-art sound system and 360-degree video screen.
• Sphere Originals: A collection of original productions that showcase Sphere’s creative potential and artistic vision, such as Sphere Dreams, a spectacular show that takes audiences on a journey through the realms of fantasy and imagination.
• Sphere Experiences: A range of interactive and immersive experiences that allow audiences to explore and discover new worlds, such as Sphere VR, a virtual reality adventure that transports users to different locations and scenarios.
• Sphere Events: A platform for hosting corporate and private events, such as product launches, conferences, and parties, in Sphere’s versatile and customizable space.

Jennifer Koester: A Seasoned Executive with a Vision

Jennifer Koester joins Sphere Entertainment with a wealth of leadership experience across various functional areas, such as sales, marketing, technology, and digital business. She has provided legal counsel, led business development efforts, driven strategy and internal operations, and external go-to-market for F100 companies, with a unique ability to integrate legal, technical, business, and operational matters.

Most recently, she served as Managing Director, Americas Strategic Alliances, Global Partnerships at Google Commercial Operations, where she was responsible for leading the overall relationship with Google’s most strategic partners, and driving greater incremental value across Google’s products and services. She also previously served as Director, Telecommunications and Video Distributors, Global Partnerships at Google, where she was a key contributor to product strategy and roadmaps that delivered new revenue opportunities, including development and monetization of advertising product lines.

As the new President of Sphere Business Operations, Koester will work together with executive leadership to grow the Sphere businesses, and leverage her extensive background in driving growth at premier technology and entertainment brands. She will be based in New York and report to James Dolan, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Sphere Entertainment.

James Dolan: A Leader with a Vision

James Dolan is the Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Sphere Entertainment Co., as well as the Executive Chairman of Madison Square Garden Sports Corp. and Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. He is the visionary behind Sphere, and has been instrumental in bringing the concept to life.

Dolan expressed his excitement about Koester’s appointment, and said, “I am pleased to welcome Jennifer to Sphere Entertainment. We have seen a strong worldwide reaction to Sphere from customers, brands, and artists since our September opening, and we look forward to leveraging Jennifer’s extensive background in driving growth at premier technology and entertainment brands as we continue to build our Sphere business.”

Koester also shared her enthusiasm about joining the Sphere team, and said, “The opportunity to join the Sphere team and be part of this next-generation entertainment medium is a tremendous opportunity. Throughout my career, I have focused on pioneering and delivering growth strategies that bridge business needs and leverage new technologies, and I am excited to bring that experience to Sphere.”

With Koester’s leadership and expertise, Sphere Entertainment Co. is poised to take Sphere to the next level, and redefine the future of live entertainment.