July 09, 2008

By By Mitchell Peters, L.A.

-- AEG Live has partnered with global presenter ThemeSTAR to develop and secure intellectual property rights to produce and present family entertainment events in arenas around the world. Financial terms of the new venture, dubbed AEG ThemeSTAR, were not revealed. AEG Live owns and operates such global venues as Australia's AEG-Odgen facilities, China's Beijing Arena, London's O2 Arena and Berlin's O2 World. ThemeSTAR has presented live family shows on a global level for brands including Scooby Doo, Dora the Explorer, and Thomas and Friends, among others.

-- Pop singers Jesse McCartney and Jordin Sparks will co-headline a North American tour this summer, visiting 16 major markets. The tour, Jesse & Jordan Live, launches Aug. 5 at California's Sacramento Community Center, and wraps Aug. 30 at the War Memorial Auditorium in Greensboro, S.C. Tickets for the tour go on sale last this month, and will cost about $40. AEG Live is producing the trek.

-- Anaheim, Calif.'s Honda Center has promoted Jo-Ann Armstrong to director of booking. In her new role, Armstrong will continue to work with promoters, managers and agents to secure dates at the 19,400-seat venue. Last April, she was promoted from executive assistant to booking manager. Anaheim Arena Management manages the Honda Center (formerly Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim).

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