L to R: Jillian Austin, Michael Uriarte
(Photos Courtesy AREA15)
AREA15 EXPANDS LEADERSHIP TEAM WITH NEW DIRECTORS OF BRAND PARTNERSHIPS AND EVENT SPONSORSHIPS
AREA15, the immersive entertainment and events district, proudly welcomes Jillian Austin as the director of brand partnerships and Michael Uriarte as the director of event sponsorships.
With over 15 years of experience, Austin will spearhead innovative collaborations and partnerships with brands to create extraordinary experiences for a variety of consumer demographics. In this pivotal role, Austin will work closely with a brand’s intellectual property to creatively integrate into AREA15’s physical spaces and digital properties. AREA15 offers something unlike any other destination, a platform of unique spaces where brands can build transformational experiences such as interactive installations, immersive exhibits, product showcases and much more.
Austin brings a unique blend of creative vision and strategic thinking, essential for crafting partnerships that redefine the standard brand interaction. She previously served on the senior leadership team in business development, production, experiential marketing and strategic partnership roles with esteemed companies such as ESPN, Lyft and TAO Group, just to name a few. In addition, she has more than 15 years of experience in entertainment for live theater, film/TV and event production – both in front of and behind the scenes – for brands such as ABC, Dick Clark Productions, Insomniac Events, Saban, HBO, Amazon, Google and Caesars Entertainment. Austin earned her bachelor’s degree in communication and film/video from Grand Valley State University.
“I am thrilled to embark on this exciting journey with AREA15, where creativity knows no bounds,” said Austin. “Through impactful partnerships, I look forward to pushing the boundaries of AREA15’s visionary ethos and reshaping the experiential side of the brand interactions.”
Director of event sponsorships, Michael Uriarte, is tasked with identifying, securing, and managing event sponsorship opportunities at AREA15. Uriarte aims to leverage the unique events and programming at AREA15 by establishing relationships with brands seeking dynamic event exposure. His strategic mindset will capitalize on sponsorship opportunities that align with AREA15’s ethos and enhance event offerings.
Prior to his current role, Uriarte’s previous roles include working as a realtor, both self-employed and at Forever Home Realty, and as co-founder and CEO of Collective Zoo, overseeing venue partnerships, event budgets and forecasting, event concepts and more.
Uriarte is a proud Las Vegas native. He attended the University of Nevada Las Vegas and earned his bachelor’s degree in hospitality management.
“AREA15 has changed the landscape of arts and entertainment in Las Vegas,” said Uriarte. “I’m excited to work with companies and brands to find unique ways they can be integrated into AREA15’s extraordinary events and entertainment programming.”
AREA15 is inspired having these talented professionals join the team. The team is confident in its ability to contribute to the continued success and innovation of the immersive entertainment complex for 2024 and beyond.
ABOUT AREA15 LAS VEGAS
AREA15, located minutes from the Las Vegas Strip, represents the world’s first purpose-built immersive entertainment district offering live events, distinctive attractions, interactive art installations, extraordinary design elements, unique retail, ground-breaking technology, bars and eateries and much more. AREA15’s curated mix of dynamic destinations—including LIFTOFF Bar and Ride, Meow Wolf’s Omega Mart, Lost Spirits Distillery, Illuminarium, Dueling Axes, Five Iron Golf, Kaia Handroll, The Beast, Wink World: Portals Into the Infinite, Museum Fiasco, Virtualis VR and many more—represents what’s next in experiential entertainment. With a robust, ever-changing roster of concerts, events, immersive art exhibitions, out-of-this-world nightlife and boundary-pushing production shows, AREA15 attracts visitors of all ages. Expanding across 20 acres in Las Vegas, AREA15 will soon welcome even more immersive destinations, including Universal Destinations & Experiences’ new, year-round horror entertainment experience Horror Unleashed.
AREA15 has received numerous accolades, including being named “Another Unmissable Stop for Art Lovers” by The Times UK, “Most Innovative Venue in the USA” by Timeout, “Best Immersive Art Experience” by USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Travel Awards, one of “The 10 Most Innovative Urban Development and Real Estate Companies of 2020” by Fast Company, “Best Attraction” for three consecutive years as well as “Best Place for Your Instagram Shot” and “Best Rave Resurgence” by Las Vegas Weekly Readers’ Choice Best of Vegas Awards, “Best Arts Hub” by Vegas Magazine, claiming the No. 1 spot in Blooloop’s “World’s Top 11 Immersive Art Experiences” and being included in Las Vegas Magazine’s Hall of Fame.
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