Wall St. Hears Live Nation Strategy & Numbers

Late yesterday concert giant Live Nation reported it’s 2006 numbers to Wall St. The company reported 2006 revenues of $3,691.6 million an increase of $754.7 million or 25.7% over 2005. Operating income increased by $43.4 million to $30.3 million, net income increased by $99.2 million to a reduced loss of $31.4 million. 

These numbers show real improvement particularly when factoring in an aggressive slate of aquisitions including House Of Blues, a majority stake in MusicToday, merchansider Trunk, and UK live music company Mean Fiddler.

Live Nation’s strategy is to serve and monetize the global consumer’s live music experience from
beginning to end.  First the shed non-core or underperforming assets. Then, according to CEO Michael Rapino. Live Nation began, "…aggressively expanding our live music platform by acquiring House of Blues, CPI…and extending our capabilities to provide additional goods and services surrounding live music events by establishing livenation.com and acquiring majority stakes in companies such as Musictoday and TRUNK…we are focused on live music with the tools to execute on our strategy to become a global vertically integrated music company, connecting artists and fans through the live concert experience."