At Ticketmaster and Live Nation, we’re committed to supporting diversity and equality for our employees. With ninety-eight percent of our employees agreeing that they are treated fairly regardless of their sexual orientation, it’s clear that we are invested in the growth and promotion of our LGBTQA+ candidates. One of the many ways we help develop our LGBTQA+ staff as leaders in their communities is through PrideNation, a dedicated employee resource group that spotlights members at every level of their careers.
We spoke to Live Nation Senior Program Manager, Laura Payne, to get a firsthand account of working on Live Nation’s Global IT team in Hollywood.
Laura Payne, Senior Program Manager for Live Nation
Q: When did you start working for Live Nation?
I started in June 2015 after meeting one of our VPs at a music festival and was encouraged to apply
Q: What were some of the factors that influenced your decision to join Live Nation?
As a musician, I love live music (which is a phenomenon that brings all types of people together to enjoy the same sounds and vibes). Also the level of support for diversity was very compelling.
Q: How big of a role does a company’s commitment to diversity and inclusion play in your career decision making?
A strong commitment to diversity is a must in any company I work for. I’ve found consistently that working with diverse teams and groups facilitates broader perspectives and more ideas to flow, resulting in improved productivity and innovation. Live Nation has the most diverse workforce I’ve worked with in my entire career, which is an aspect I value very much.
Q: Any cool projects you’re currently working on that you can share?
As a leader for our Pride Nation ERG LA chapter, I get to work with a committee to plan and execute LGBTQ focused events at Live Nation and Ticketmaster in support of our LGBTQ community.
I also volunteer time to raise money for House of Blues Music Forward foundation, which supports youth in various music programs. The company provides up to 5 paid volunteer days per year, which helps us to increase our impact toward the causes we love.
Q: What excites you most about working at Live Nation? About our work culture?
Working with awesome people and teams to find the solutions which support our business to deliver the best live music experiences in the world.
Q: What advice do you have for anyone who wants to join Live Nation full time?
Be open to new perspectives, ideas, changes and directional pivots. Our company moves at the speed of light, which is very exciting and never boring. You have the opportunity and empowerment to drive improvement for yourself and your teams.
Q: If you’ve been in multiple roles at Live Nation, what steps did they take to grow your career?
My work is project based, so my roles have changed slightly over the past 3 years based on the needs of LNE IT’s project priorities. There are many opportunities for career development and growth, support for education via tuition reimbursement, internal training programs, etc.
Q: Which live event are you most excited to see this year?
One of our employee perks is 4 free tickets per year, and I’m very much looking forward to seeing Heart and Joan Jett this summer.
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About Live Nation Entertainment
Live Nation Entertainment (NYSE: LYV) is the world’s leading live entertainment company comprised of global market leaders: Ticketmaster, Live Nation Concerts, and Live Nation Media & Sponsorship.
