Emmy's L.A. LIVE Home Has a New Name

The L.A. LIVE venue that has hosted the Emmy Awards since 2008 has been renamed the Microsoft Theater.

Read the official press release below.

L.A. LIVE's 7,100-seat concert and special events venue has officially been renamed Microsoft Theater, it was announced today by Lee Zeidman, President of L.A. LIVE, STAPLES Center and Microsoft Theater and Jeff Hansen, General Manager, Microsoft. The theater, formerly known as Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE, opened in October, 2007 and has hosted more than three and half million guests who have attended over 700 concerts, family shows, product launches, conventions, special events and annual awards shows including the Primetime Emmy Awards, ESPY Awards, BET Awards, American Music Awards, People's Choice Awards, 2010 & 2011 MTV Video Music Awards and 2014 & 2015 MTV Movie Awards among others.

The comprehensive partnership between AEG, owners and operators of L.A. LIVE and Microsoft will also include rebranding L.A. LIVE's 40,000 sf. outdoor plaza into Microsoft Square among other assets.

Microsoft will also contribute cutting edge technology and expertise to AEG's upcoming refurbishment and renovation of many of the public and private spaces of Microsoft Theater that will begin this fall as well as other signage, marketing and business opportunities.

"We are proud to partner with one of the world's greatest and most recognizable brands," said Lee Zeidman, President, Microsoft Theater, L.A. LIVE and STAPLES Center. "As technology continues to transform the live entertainment business, I couldn't think of a better partner to help us create an even better experience for our fans… both on the stage and throughout Microsoft Theater."

"We're incredibly excited about deepening the relationship between Microsoft and AEG around this Los Angeles entertainment landmark," said Jeff Hansen, General Manager, Microsoft Brand Studio, Microsoft. "L.A. LIVE and our collaboration with AEG represents amazing opportunities to employ cutting edge technology with world class entertainment for thousands and thousands of fans."

Today's announcement furthers Microsoft's continuing investment in Los Angeles which has recently included facilities in Silicon Beach as well as four new retail stores. Partnering with AEG will also enable Microsoft to build on an already robust investment with the local community which includes partnerships with the Los Angeles Unified School District, Los Angeles Urban League, Greater Los Angeles African American Chamber of Commerce, Los Angeles Alliance for Boys and Girls Clubs, HOPE, the Magic Johnson Foundation, the Puente Learning Center, the LA Police Foundation and L.A. City's Summer Night Lights program.

The deal was created by AEG Global Partnerships, AEG's in-house division responsible for worldwide sales and servicing of sponsorships, naming rights and other strategic partnerships for assets controlled by the organization.

"Our partnership with Microsoft will make one of the country's best venues to experience music and other live entertainment even better," said Stew Heathcote, Sr. Vice President, AEG Global Partnerships. "Building on their already substantial investment in Los Angeles, Microsoft's financial and philanthropic commitment, along with the ability to leverage their technology and expertise will make their investment a win for the City, the region and our fans."

The first show at the newly named Microsoft Theater will be A.R. Rahman: The Intimate Concert Tour on Wednesday, June 10 at 8:00 p.m. We are looking forward to an exciting year of events including Distant Worlds: Music From Final Fantasy - June 17, BET Awards - June 28, The ESPYs - July 15, Maze Featuring Frankie Beverly - July 17, Banda MS - July 18, Lee Seung Chul - July 24, Benyamin - July 25, John Mellencamp – July 28, Juanes – July 31 & August 1, Aretha Franklin – August 2, Move Live on Tour Starring Julianne & Derek Hough – August 7, El Komander – August 8, Gladys Knight & The O'Jays – August 9, Marco Antonio Solis – September 25, Armen – October 9, Hozier – October 13, Chris de Burgh – October 18, Marc Anthony & Carlos Vives UNIDO2 Tour – October 23 & 24 and Miguel Bosé – November 7.

About Microsoft Theater
Microsoft Theater, formerly Nokia Theatre L. A. LIVE, hosts over 120 music, family, dance and comedy acts, award shows, televised productions, conventions and product launches with over 500,000 guests passing through the doors annually. The 7,100-seat theater offers guests mid-sized intimacy, with no seat further from the stage than 220 feet. Microsoft Theater offers 12,000 square feet of VIP & hospitality areas, 10 dressing rooms and state of the art technology making it is a favorite indoor venue for performers and fans alike. Since opening in October 2007 with six sold out shows featuring the Eagles and Dixie Chicks, Microsoft Theater has hosted concerts starring the most popular artists including Alan Jackson, Katy Perry, Charlie Wilson, Juan Gabriel, Aretha Franklin, Ed Sheeran, John Fogerty, Gabriel Iglesias, Kanye West, Marc Anthony, Sesame Street Live, John Legend, The Avett Brothers, Neil Young, Steely Dan, Trey Songz, Kelly Clarkson, Rush, Yanni, Nicki Minaj, Juanes, Cat Stevens, The American Idol Finale shows, Michael Jackson's This is It, The Hunger Games and Twilight Movie Premieres and many more. Microsoft Theater is home to the American Music Awards, ESPYs, Primetime Emmy Awards, BET Awards, People's Choice Awards, Radio Disney Music Awards, 2010 & 2011 MTV Video Music Awards, 2014 & 2015 MTV Movie Awards and the 2013 Rock N' Roll Hall of Fame.

About L.A. LIVE
L.A. LIVE is a 4 million square foot / $3 billion downtown Los Angeles sports and entertainment district adjacent to STAPLES Center and the Los Angeles Convention Center featuring Microsoft Theater, a 7,100-seat live theatre, a 2,300 capacity live music venue, a 54-story, 1001-room convention "headquarters" destination (featuring The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles and JW Marriott Los Angeles at L.A. LIVE hotels and 224 luxury condominiums – The Ritz-Carlton Residences at L.A. LIVE – all in a single tower) , the GRAMMY Museum, the 14-screen Regal Cinemas L.A. LIVE Stadium 14 theatre, broadcast facilities for ESPN along with entertainment, residential, restaurant and office space.

Developed by Los Angeles-based AEG, L.A. LIVE, considered to be the nation's most active 'live content and event campus,' has become the region's most in-demand and busiest hospitality location featuring 260,480 sf of conference center and ballroom facilities, world-class restaurants including The Farm of Beverly Hills, WP24, Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, Katsuya, Lawry's Carvery, Rock 'N Fish, Rosa Mexicano, Starbucks, Triple 8 China Bar and Grill, Ford's Filling Station, Smashburger, Live Basil Pizza, Tom's Urban 24, Yard House, Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill, BOCA at the Conga Room and others; 100,000 sf special events deck, the famous Lucky Strike Lanes and Lounge, the celebrity owned Conga Room, the one-of-a-kind GRAMMY Museum, saluting the history of music and the genre's best known awards show all centered around Microsoft Square, a 40,000 sf outdoor event space.

With the music venues coming on-line in October, 2007, and the hotel, residential and meeting space components opened as of April, 2010 combined with the assets, resources and infrastructure of STAPLES Center and the Los Angeles Convention Center, L.A. LIVE showcases more events, award shows, sporting competitions, concerts and hospitality options than any other destination in the world.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Michael Roth
AEG
213-742-7155
mroth@aegworldwide.com

Adam Sohn
Microsoft
425-703-3276
adamso@bing.com

Cara Vanderhook
Microsoft Theater
213-742-7273
cvanderhook@aegworldwide.com

Marina Maroste
Microsoft Theater
213-742-7327
mmaroste@aegworldwide.com