Major events leader Vas Katos is launching his own entertainment firm named Anthem, with backing from prominent investor Radek Sali – former CEO of Swisse Wellness and founder of Light Warrior Group.
The new venture’s name was inspired by the 1992 Leonard Cohen song by that same name. Anthem will have a wide-ranging strategy within the entertainment sector, starting with the acquisition of the Australian division of the London-based AKA Group – the world’s top marketing entertainment agency, owned by Providence Equity Partners.
Katos is very familiar with AKA Australia, having spent the last six years as the company’s managing director. While the major events industry has been brutally hit by COVID-19, Katos believes the sector will recover, but it will need courage and fresh ideas to do so.
Over the past two decades, Katos has built an unapparelled network in the UK, USA and APAC as a result of directing award-winning marketing campaigns for global entertainment franchises, renowned cultural institutions, and major international events.
Katos said: “Tier one entertainment is a globally interconnected community, but that also means it is a globally competitive market.
“Live events around the world have been decimated due to the pandemic and Australia may have a bigger challenge than America and Europe with getting audiences back in full force.
“Therefore, the art of selling culture and sports needs a new approach; The future of marketing consultancies is about having a highly qualified SWAT team of specialists, rather than an army of generalists. And as an independent, we can avoid legacy structures and instead embrace an entrepreneurial spirit.”
Anthem will continue AKA Australia’s strategic partnership with Simon Ryan’s Ryvalmedia, which will provide Anthem clients with a range of media, data and tech services.
