{{Short description|English executive}} {{distinguish|Rod Hallett}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2015}} {{Use British English|date=August 2015}} {{Infobox person | name = Rob Hallett | occupation = Music industry executive, entrepreneur | known_for = Founding AEG UK; Head of international touring for AEG; Founder of Robomagic | years_active = 1970s–present | employer = AEG, Mean Fiddler Music Group, Marshall Arts, Derek Block Agency | organization = Robomagic | partner = | children = 1 | awards = Evening Standard's Top 5 in Music (2007)<br>The Guardian's Top 100 most powerful people in music (2011) | website = }} '''Rob Hallett''' is a British music industry executive and entrepreneur best known for founding the ''AEG UK office'' in 2005 and leading its international touring division for a decade.
Hallett founded the AEG UK office in 2005 and worked for ten years as the head of international touring.<ref name="auto8">{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/7564596/rob-hallett-interview-robomagic-aeg-live-music-touring-business|title=Former AEG Live Exec Rob Hallett Talks Essence Festival In South Africa, Brexit & Why the Live Market Is In Trouble: Exclusive Q&A|magazine=Billboard}}</ref><ref name="auto4">{{Cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7748935.stm|title=Bringing the stars to the stage|date=27 November 2008|website=News.bbc.co.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/artist/1972325-Rob-Hallett|title=Rob Hallett|website=Discogs}}</ref> Hallett has also been a festival programmer, tour manager, music publisher, record label managing director, recording studio owner, and artist manager.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.katalys.fr/Youssou-Ndour/Rew-Mi/114632|title=Youssou NDour & Le Super Etoile - Rew Mi FLAC Album|department=FLAC Tracks / Albums |website=Katalys.fr}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.investegate.co.uk/mean-fiddler-music-group-plc--mef-/prn/usher-2004-european-tour/20040312070000P1596/|title=Investegate |Mean Fiddler Music Group PLC Announcements | Mean Fiddler Music Group PLC: Usher 2004 European Tour|website=Investegate.co.uk}}</ref> He appeared in the ''Evening Standard''{{'}}s Top 5 in Music in 2007,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.standard.co.uk/news/music-6651181.html|title=Music|date=5 October 2007|website=Evening Standard}}</ref> and was listed in the top 100 most powerful people in music by ''The Guardian'' in 2011.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/adele-324-1286396|title=Adele named most powerful person in music by The Guardian | NME|website=NME |date=26 May 2011}}</ref>
==Career== === Early career === Hallett was introduced to the live music industry as a teenager promoting gigs in a local pub in Brighton<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.entertainmentbusiness.nl/live/interview-promoter-rob-hallet-de-live-industrie-is-gezonder-dan-ooit/|title=Interview promoter Rob Hallet: 'De live-industrie is gezonder dan ooit'|website=Entertainmentbusiness.nl|date=13 December 2018}}</ref> After meeting Malcolm McLaren, then manager of the Sex Pistols, in London, Hallett went on to arrange shows for the punk rock band.<ref name="auto"/> Reggae also played a vital role in Hallett's early career.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://metro.co.uk/2012/07/20/top-jamaican-artists-flock-to-london-to-celebrate-50-years-of-independence-503380/|title=Top Jamaican artists flock to London to celebrate 50 years of independence|website=Metro.co.uk|date=20 July 2012}}</ref> He later worked with The Clash's singer Joe Strummer, Tappa Zukie, and UB40.<ref name="auto"/> Hallett went on to own the UK reggae label Manic Records in the late 1970s<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/label/94566-Manic-Records-3|title=Manic Records (3)|website=Discogs}}</ref> and set up Equinox Phonographic Recordings in the 80s in partnership with Andy Taylor from Duran Duran.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://insights.midem.com/music-business/great-stories-midem-rob-hallett/|title=Great Stories Start at Midem - with Rob Hallett, Robomagic|website=Insights.midem.com|date=11 March 2019}}</ref>
=== Duran Duran === In the 1980s, Hallett worked at Derek Block Agency whose clients included Duran Duran, Adam Ant, Talk Talk and Dexys Midnight Runners.<ref name="auto6">{{Cite web|url=http://www.theguardian.com/music/2003/nov/16/popandrock.duranduran|title=In their own words|first=Michael|last=Odell|date=16 November 2003|website=the Guardian}}</ref> Hallett arranged Duran Duran's first ever gig at The Marquee Club in London<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://musicdayz.com/fact/135647/|title=Fact #135647|website=Musicdayz.com}}</ref> when they were still an unsigned band, a moment he counts as his first big career break.<ref name="auto5">{{Cite web|url=https://www.clashmusic.com/features/inside-knowledge-rob-hallett-aeg-live|title=Inside Knowledge: Rob Hallett, AEG Live|website=Clash Magazine |date=2 March 2010 }}</ref> He was lauded by The Times as the music mogul who discovered Duran Duran<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.google.com/search?q=duran+duran+rob+hallett&start=10|title=duran duran rob hallett - Google Search|website=Google.com}}</ref> and in 1983, at the age of 22, he toured with them in Japan.<ref name="auto6"/><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XdY29IeyuYgC|title=Wild Boy: My Life with Duran Duran|first=Andy|last=Taylor|date=30 December 2010|publisher=Orion|isbn=9781409111160|via=Google Books}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PGddJbu6wcQC&q=rob+hallett|title=In The Pleasure Groove: Love, Death and Duran Duran|first=John|last=Taylor|date=13 September 2012|publisher=Little, Brown Book Group|isbn=9781405512664|via=Google Books}}</ref>
Hallett spent 10 years at Marshall Arts where he made the transition from being an artist agent to a concert promoter.<ref name="auto6"/> Hallett went on to be a director of Mean Fiddler Music Group from 1999 to 2004,<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LfL2DwAAQBAJ&q=Rob+hallett+leroy+logan&pg=PT139|title=Closing Ranks: My Life as a Cop|first1=LEROY|last1=LOGAN|first2=GEORGE|last2=LUKE|date=17 September 2020|publisher=SPCK|isbn=9780281083480|via=Google Books}}</ref><ref name="auto2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.iq-mag.net/2018/02/rob-hallett-robomagic-joins-live-nation/|title=Rob Hallett's Robomagic joins Live Nation|website=Iq-mag.net|date=27 February 2018}}</ref> where he established the company's touring division.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/business/arid-10060751.html|title=Hallett leaves Mean Fiddler|date=31 January 2005|website=Irish Examiner}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.standard.co.uk/news/mean-fiddler-tunes-in-upmarket-6980877.html|title=Mean Fiddler tunes in upmarket|date=13 May 2004|website=Evening Standard}}</ref>
In February 2005, Hallett founded the AEG Live office in the UK.<ref name="auto5"/><ref name="auto2"/><ref name="auto8"/>
=== Prince === In 2007, Hallett brought Prince's shows to London's O2 Arena<ref name="auto4"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.esquire.co.uk/culture/a9863/a-glimpse-of-prince/|title=A Glimpse Of Prince|first=Alex|last=Bilmes|date=22 April 2016|website=Esquire.co.uk}}</ref> In 2009, he was working with Michael Jackson, shortly before Jackson's unexpected death, to organise his final performances in London.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.standard.co.uk/newsheadlines/jackson-announces-curtain-call-6824569.html|title=Jackson announces 'curtain call'|date=6 January 2009|website=Evening Standard}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.uncut.co.uk/news/michael-jackson-announces-final-london-live-dates-57327/|title=Michael Jackson Announces Final London Live Dates|website=Uncut.co.uk|date=6 March 2009}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://metro.co.uk/2009/03/05/michael-jackson-see-you-in-july-507911/|title=Michael Jackson: See you in July|website=metro.co.uk|date=5 March 2009}}</ref>
=== Leonard Cohen === Hallett worked with Leonard Cohen to arrange his world tour from 2008 to 2010.<ref name="auto4"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/arid-30553389.html|title=Irish tribute gig 'convinced Cohen to tour again'|date=29 May 2012|website=Irish Examiner}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dAPM7Ihb-D4C&q=rob+hallett+prince&pg=PA452|title=I'm Your Man: The Life of Leonard Cohen|first=Sylvie|last=Simmons|date=1 November 2012|publisher=Random House|isbn=9781448161478|via=Google Books}}</ref> In 2009 Hallett agreed with Cohen to donate AEG Live's proceeds from Cohen's show at the Ramat Gan Stadium, Israel, to Israeli and Palestinian organizations that were working towards reconciliation.<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.jpost.com/arts-and-culture/entertainment/leonard-cohen-concert-proceeds-to-benefit-reconciliation-work|title=Leonard Cohen concert proceeds to benefit reconciliation work|website=The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com |date=28 July 2009 }}</ref>
=== AEG === Whilst at AEG, Hallet's portfolio also included tours by Jennifer Lopez, Justin Bieber, Usher, and Black Eyed Peas; the Barclaycard presents British Summer Time concert series at Hyde Park;<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/various-artists-2507-1265787|title=AEG Live win Hyde Park gig contract | NME|website=NME |date=5 November 2012}}</ref> and the Capital Radio SummerTime Ball.<ref name="auto8"/> In 2012 Hallett and AEG Live produced tours with Bon Jovi, Justin Bieber, Leonard Cohen, Rod Stewart, The Who, and The Rolling Stones.<ref name="auto8"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/04/05/rolling-stones-hyde-park-_n_3019833.html|title=Stones' Hyde Park Gig Sells Out In Minutes..|date=5 April 2013|website=HuffPost UK}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ukfestivalguides.com/news/04042013/the-rolling-stones-back-in-hyde-park/|title=The Rolling Stones Back In Hyde Park|website=Ukfestivalguides.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.royalparks.org.uk/media-centre/press-releases/2012-press-releases/the-royal-parks-announces-a-new-five-year-partnership-with-aeg-live|title=The Royal Parks announces a new five year partnership with AEG Live|website=The Royal Parks}}</ref>
=== O2 Arena === Hallett was involved in transitioning the Millennium Dome in southeast London into O2 Arena,<ref name="auto3">{{Cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/sunday-times-rich-list/profile/article/fame-and-fortune-pop-mogul-who-slept-in-a-cupboard-jxn065f3lq2|title=Fame and fortune: Pop mogul who slept in a cupboard|first=Alexandra|last=Goss|date=13 July 2023 |website=The Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/6409788/Bon-Jovi-to-play-London-residency-at-the-O2-Arena.html|title=Bon Jovi to play London residency at the O2 Arena|website=The Telegraph |date=22 October 2009 }}</ref> To mark Jamaica's 50th year of independence in 2012, Hallett arranged Respect Jamaica 50 at the O2.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/jamaica-celebrate-50-years-independence-events-o2/1133779|title=Jamaica to celebrate 50 years of independence with events at The O2|website=Campaignlive.co.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20120614/ent/ent3.html|title=Jamaica 50 launches massive concert for O2 arena|date=14 June 2012|website=jamaica-gleaner.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/olympics/news/jamaicans-paint-town-gold-honour-independence-and-usain-bolt-8010173.html|title=Jamaicans paint town gold in honour of independence – and Usain Bolt|date=7 August 2012|website=The Independent}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.caribbeanlifenews.com/inside-life/|title=Inside Life|date=6 July 2012|website=Caribbean Life News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sflcn.com/jamaicas-initiatives-announced-for-london-2012/|title=Jamaica's initiatives announced for London 2012|date=12 June 2012|website=South Florida Caribbean News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://old.jamaica-star.com/thestar/20120614/news/news8.html|title=Jamaica's initiatives announced for London 2012 - News - Jamaica Star - June 14, 2012|website=old.jamaica-star.com}}</ref>
=== Robomagic === In 2014 Hallett left AEG Live after a decade to launch the London-based music firm Robomagic.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-02-27|title=UK's Rob Hallett And Live Nation Now Tied Together|url=https://celebrityaccess.com/2018/02/27/uks-rob-hallett-live-nation-now-tied-together/|access-date=2021-05-13|website=CelebrityAccess|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2015-01-22|title=Rob Hallett Returns|url=https://celebrityaccess.com/caarchive/rob-hallett-returns/|access-date=2021-05-13|website=CelebrityAccess|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pollstar.com/News/hallett-leaves-aeg-32991|title=Hallett Leaves AEG|website=Pollstar.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.standard.co.uk/business/business-news/rolling-stones-former-tour-promoter-takes-on-music-moguls-with-new-venture-robomagic-10011303.html|title=Rolling Stones' former tour promoter takes on music moguls with new|date=29 January 2015|website=Evening Standard}}</ref> The name Robomagic was decided upon in homage to the 1973 Kurt Vonnegut novel "Breakfast of Champions" which features a company called The Robo-Magic Corporation of America.<ref name="auto7">{{Cite web|url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/former-aeg-live-exec-rob-hallett-talks-essence-191158534.html|title=Former AEG Live Exec Rob Hallett Talks Essence Festival In South Africa, Brexit & Why the Live Market Is In Trouble: Exclusive Q&A|website=Yahoo.com|date=November 2016 }}</ref> Hallett's first arena tour with Robomagic was with Duran Duran, as well as promoting the will.i.am Landmarks Live in Concert Tour, which included a show in the Royal Albert Hall.<ref name="auto7"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3442700/|title=Rob Hallett|website=IMDb.com}}</ref>
In 2015 Hallett's Robomoagic worked with Nile Rodgers to promote FOLD Festival in Riverhead New York and London.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.recordoftheday.com/news-and-press/robomagics-rob-hallett-joins-nile-rodgers-new-us-festival-fold|title=Robomagic's Rob Hallett joins Nile Rodgers' new US Festival FOLD|website=Recordoftheday.com}}</ref> In 2016 Hallett was part of the team that brought the New Orleans–based Essence Festival to South Africa for its inaugural edition.<ref name="auto7"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://southafrica.trendolizer.com/2016/11/former-aeg-live-exec-rob-hallett-talks-essence-festival-in-south-africa-brexit-why-the-live-market-i.html|title=Former AEG Live Exec Rob Hallett Talks Essence Festival In South Africa, Brexit & Why the Live Market Is In Trouble: Exclusive Q&A|website=southafrica.trendolizer.com}}</ref> Robomagic has also ventured into music production, with their offshoot label Robotune releasing the debut EP of rock duo Nova Twins in 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.musicweek.com/labels/read/robomagic-offshoot-robotunes-to-release-first-music/065605|title=Robomagic offshoot Robotunes to release first music|website=Musicweek.com}}</ref>
In 2018 Robomagic joined Live Nation.<ref name="auto2"/> From 2017 to 2019 Hallett was promoting Bon Jovi's European tour.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.metro.news/weekend-we-meet-with-the-band-and-crew-that-keep-the-bon-jovi-tour-juggernaut-rolling/1597334/|title=Weekend: We meet with the band and crew that keep the Bon Jovi tour juggernaut rolling|date=14 June 2019|website=Metro.news}}</ref> In 2020 after three years at Live Nation, Hallett and Live Nation announced that his company Robomagic would be leaving Live Nation.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pollstar.com/article/i-feel-very-positive-about-the-future-rob-hallett-goes-independent-again-146269|title='I Feel Very Positive About The Future': Rob Hallett Goes Independent Again|website=Pollstar.com|date=19 August 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ticketweb.uk/event/a-boogie-wit-da-hoodie-o2-academy-brixton-tickets/9654365|title=Tickets for A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie|website=Ticketweb.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://liveuk.com/news/rob-hallett-returns-to-independence/|title=Rob Hallett returns to independence|date=19 August 2020|website=Liveuk.com}}</ref>
==Charity work== From 2006 to 2009 Hallett served as a patron for the charity Versus Cancer and was appointed to the Tickets for Troops advisory board in 2014.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ticketsfortroops.org.uk/news/aeg-live-invite-troops-to-the-best-of-british-summertime.aspx|title=AEG LIVE INVITE TROOPS TO THE BEST OF BRITISH SUMMERTIME | Tickets for Troops|website=Ticketsfortroops.org.uk}}</ref> In 2009 agreed on behalf of AEG Live to join Leonard Cohen in donating all net proceeds from Cohen's concert at the Ramat Gan Stadium to the newly established Fund For Reconciliation, Tolerance and Peace, which provided financial support for organizations and individuals working in Israel and the Palestinian Authority that strive to achieve peace in the region.<ref name="auto1"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://vimeo.com/40308352|title=The Fund for Reconciliation "Tolerance and Peace"|date=13 April 2012|website=Vimeo.com}}</ref> Hallett also sits as a trustee for the foundation Vocal Futures, which works to encourage young people to engage with classical music.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.vocalfutures.org/page/board|title=Vocal Futures - board|website=Vocalfutures.org}}</ref> Hallett worked with the London-based charity Julie's Bicycle in their work to support the creative community to act on climate change and environmental sustainability<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20200216234033/https://juliesbicycle.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/MA_Vol1_Touring_Bands_Report_2010.pdf] </ref> as well as the charity DISARM, set up in response to the growing levels of violent crime within vulnerable communities around Great Britain.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ligali.org/|title=Ligali|website=Ligali.org}}</ref> In 2013 Hallett, with AEG Live, worked on Unity: A Concert for Stephen Lawrence at the O2 Arena, for the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://issuu.com/mondiale/docs/tpidec13_digital|title=TPi December 2013 - Issue 172|website=Issuu.com|date=2 December 2013 }}</ref>
== Personal life == Hallett grew up in Sussex, working his first job in a chicken factory.<ref name="auto3"/> A supporter of Chelsea Football Club, he lives in North London with his partner and his son. He is a self-confessed 'wine buff'.<ref name="auto3"/>
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hallett, Rob}} Category:Year of birth missing (living people) Category:Living people Category:British music industry executives Category:English music publishers (people) Category:English chief executives Category:English company founders Category:Businesspeople from Sussex