Maria O’Connor and Ticketmaster launch WE Nation

Maria O’Connor has always been an entertainment industry trailblazer and the Managing Director of Ticketmaster in Australia and New Zealand is leading the charge for gender diversity in the workplace.

Live Nation, Ticketmaster’s parent company, used International Women’s Day on March 8 to launch WE Nation to each of its offices throughout the world, including Ticketmaster in Australia and New Zealand.

WE Nation, which stands for Women in Entertainment, is designed to engage and inspire Live Nation women globally in order to support women in the workplace towards attaining fulfilling careers and address issues affecting women.

It is an area that Maria O’Connor is passionate about. Originally from Ireland, Maria arrived in Australia in 1981 and has worked in the ticketing industry ever since. She very quickly climbed the ranks and has been the Managing Director of Ticketmaster in Australia since the early 1990s (it was then known as Bass). Ticketmaster entered the market in New Zealand in 2005 with Maria at the helm.

Throughout her career in ticketing and entertainment, Maria has passionately worked to create gender diversity and support women in the workplace. Maria’s passion for diversity is echoed strongly by Live Nation and Ticketmaster leaders throughout the world. The launch of WE Nation is another clear indication of this.

Maria has been selected as one of four WE Nation Diversity Leaders and will lead the charge to ensure the program is successful.

“WE nation is for women in entertainment. And why it is important to me is because, over the 35 years that I have been in this business, I am usually the only woman in the room,” Maria said.

“So now is the time for all of us to get together and make sure there’s more women involved in every aspect of our business. While this is celebrating women in entertainment, it is about everybody; men and women, young and old, locally and globally.”

Maria has been a key mentor for many women in the entertainment and ticketing industries, but she has also taken her skills in this area outside of the Ticketmaster family.

For many years Maria has mentored young people through her association with Big Brothers Big Sisters Australia. As the charity’s longest serving current board member, Maria has positively impacted the lives of many young people.

Maria’s vast experience in this area is a major reason why she has been chosen to spearhead WE Nation throughout her market.

WE Nation is just one aspect of Live Nation and Ticketmaster’s commitment to diversity and equality in the workplace. As a global company with thousands of employees, Live Nation has the opportunity to be a world leader in many areas.

Ticketmaster and Maria O’Connor are very proud to be associated with this program to ensure the global message of WE Nation is fully realised in Australia and New Zealand.