TEG Live Expands, Recruits Former Sony Music ANZ CEO Vanessa Picken

SYDNEY, Australia — Vanessa Picken has resurfaced at Ticketek Entertainment Group (TEG) in a newly-created role.

The former CEO of Sony Music ANZ leads a class of top recruits to the Sydney, Australia-based live entertainment, data and tech giant, which unveils an “important evolution” of its touring business, TEG Live, and maps out strategies in country, electronic and other hot genres.

Announced Thursday, Feb. 5, Picken is named global director, music strategy at TEG Live, where she will drive music strategy and global advocacy, working closely with promoters and partners worldwide.

From June 2022, Picken served as chair and CEO of Sony Music Australia and New Zealand, becoming the first woman to lead the major music company’s operations across both countries.

Picken finished up with Sony Music in late 2025, more than three years after taking the top job. In that time, Picken is credited with modernizing the music giant’s organizational structure, enhancing its digital and marketing capabilities, and fueling new growth through experiential and licensing ventures.

She joins TEG with a stack of international experience, having owned and operated the digital agency and label services firm Comes With Fries, and served as managing director at independent music giant [PIAS].

Also joining TEG Live is Sam Sharma, in the role as head of South Asia & Desi touring. Sharma will lead a new focus within the platform, a statement explains, and will be expected to drive expansion of touring across a region that’s seen as a hotspot for growth.

Alex Kelsey joins as head of country touring, overseeing the growth and commercial expansion of country music touring across Australia and New Zealand. Veteran former Sony Music executive Clay Doughty will support Kelsey as head of strategy, country music, lassoing long-term market development, international partnerships and artist pipelines within the genre.

As TEG Live builds its electronic music business across the region, Chris Watson is promoted to head of electronic, Asia Pacific. Watson launched the Palm Tree Festival Singapore in April, and further announcements in the electronic space are “expected shortly,” a statement reads.

U.K.-based Toby Leighton-Pope, currently managing director of TEG Europe, formed in 2022, will continue to be a key advisor to the group.

The new-look TEG Live, now a platform business, is led by TEG’s global head of touring Tim McGregor, who will oversee its strategic direction and portfolio performance.

“The move marks a significant step in TEG’s touring strategy,” reads a statement. “Creating a platform that empowers talented Promoters to operate with entrepreneurial autonomy, while being supported by Ticketek Group platforms and technology that make it easier to build, find and attend live experiences.” The model is designed to accelerate growth across established and emerging genres and “back the next generation of live entertainment leaders.”

Country music is a big part of the TEG Live growth strategy. TEG will ramp up those ambitions by opening a Nashville office in the early part of this year, focusing on artist relationships, touring partnerships and long-term pipeline development, strengthening the connection between the U.S. and Australian markets and more.

“Live music is evolving quickly, and touring models need to evolve with it,” comments McGregor. “TEG Live is investing in a platform that’s built for collaboration, adaptability and one that supports today’s promoters while setting up the next generation for success.”

Further announcements are expected shortly, including major expansion plans across Asia-pop, and rock, metal.

TEG brings together ticketing giant Ticketek, plus TEG Live, TEG Sport, TEG Experiences, and Ovation. Last November, TEG announced the “strategic acquisition” of Twenty3 Live, a leading marketing, media, sponsorship and activation agency, which the company said at the time would enhance its in-house marketing and digital capability in its global touring portfolio.

Earlier this week, TEG announced UFC 325 (Volkanovski vs. Lopes 2) has become the highest-grossing indoor arena event in Australian history. The bout, staged Sunday, Feb. 1 at Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena, owned by TEG and operated by Legends Global, set a new national box office record with A$14.4 million ($10 million) in ticket sales.