LOS ANGELES: Layoffs swept through the recently acquired House of Blues Entertainment (HOB) as new parent Live Nation eliminated redundant PR, marketing, sponsorship, and other positions, said John Vlautin, VP of corporate communications for Live Nation.
Among the reported 79 people affected companywide by the layoffs was Liz Smith, HOB's national publicity manager - the company's top PR position.
Live Nation acquired HOB for $350 million earlier this year, but the deal was only finalized last month.
Vlautin added that the company would further assess its PR and marketing needs after the new year, including a possible agency search. Live Nation and HOB currently work with small, local PR agencies on a project basis.
