AC Entertainment has hired Joy O’Shell, a music industry expert and lawyer, as vice president of business affairs.
O’Shell worked in business and legal affairs for more than 15 years before returning to East Tennessee in July 2015, when she accepted a position with the Knoxville Entrepreneur Center.
In her role with the Knoxville Entrepreneur Center, O’Shell helped revitalize rural and downtown spaces through entrepreneurial programming. She partnered with Nancy Solomon of Rala Boutique and David Harman of Native Maps to participate in Etsy’s Maker City program and create the Knoxville Maker City Summit, which was held at the Mill & Mine in September 2016.
“Joy’s extensive business and legal knowledge impressed us from the start,” said Ashley Capps, CEO and founder of AC Entertainment. “Apart from her business savvy, she’s also experienced in the entertainment and music industry, motivated and driven – and that’s what makes her perfect for this position.”
O’Shell served as vice president of business affairs at SFX Entertainment in New York, which had acquired her startup business, Denver-based online music store Beatport. O’Shell managed international business affairs for Amazon.com in Seattle, where she launched new digital media categories in the United States, Europe and Japan. She also worked in Chicago for AOL, which had acquired her startup music service, MusicNow.
O’Shell recently was appointed to the Zoning Ordinance Stakeholder Advisory Committee, which provides input on City of Knoxville zoning, and previously served on the Mayor’s Maker Council, which helps to promote microeconomies in the region.
She earned a law degree with a concentration in intellectual property law from the Chicago-Kent College of Law in 2001 and graduated in 1997 from the University of Tennessee with a Bachelor of Arts.
O’Shell is relocating to downtown Knoxville with husband Scott, a Chicago native, and three children. They are expecting their fourth child in May.
About AC Entertainment
AC Entertainment is internationally recognized as an innovative leader in creating, producing, booking and marketing first-class live entertainment experiences – from festivals and concerts to all types of special events.
AC Entertainment is the founder and producer of the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival, WayHome Music & Arts, Sloss Music & Arts Festival and the Big Ears Festival, as well as producer of Forecastle Festival and 1,000+ concerts nationally each year.
The company also works with clients and organizations to provide event management, booking and marketing services for their unique needs. AC Entertainment’s venue management division operates five beautiful historic venues – the Tennessee Theatre, Bijou Theatre and newly minted Mill & Mine in Knoxville, as well as The Tivoli Theatre and Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Auditorium in Chattanooga.