Kevin Jacobsen is acknowledged as one of the world’s most prominent entertainment entrepreneurs.  He has produced, promoted and presented the finest stage spectaculars, concerts and major special events in Australia and around the world, including special international celebrations for the Australian Government.

Kevin began his working career as an accountant. As a musician he formed his brother’s band Col Joye and the Joyboys which enjoyed huge success with many hit records and personal appearances with his brother who become Australia’s No.1 concert attraction. Col Joye remains today an icon of the entertainment industry in Australia. After leaving the band Kevin promoted Col Joye tours throughout Australia.

From rock concerts to theatre productions, ballet, ice spectaculars etc Jacobsen presented an outdoor opera spectacular of AIDA and Turandot both of which had a cast of over 2,000 performers and played to up to 50,000 people per performance. Jacobsen extended the company’s activities into the world of theatre and classical productions. Theatrical productions presented include A Chorus Line, Camelot (with Richard Harris,) FAME – The Musical, Diversions and Delights (the works of Oscar Wilde) and The White Oak Dance Company of Mikhail Baryshnikov. Classical presentations in conjunction with Michael Edgley include The Bolshoi Ballet, The Kirov Ballet and other major Russian attractions.  Jacobsen’s were selected by Disney Theatricals to present their first-ever international theatrical production Beauty and the Beast.

Australian theatrical productions created and presented include the multi award winning SHOUT – The Musical based on the life of an Australian rock music icon; The Man From Snowy River – Arena Spectacular based on the famous Australian poem by Banjo Paterson which included over 200 performers of actors, singers, dancers, musicians, stuntmen and horse wranglers as well as 55 horses.  This event was directed by David Atkins who was the creative director of the opening and closing ceremonies of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games

Hundreds of international artists have been presented and include Barbra Streisand, Elton John, BeeGees, Bruce Springsteen, Michael Jackson, Billy Joel, Pearl Jam, John Denver, Shania Twain, USHER, Ja Rule and Ashanti and The Three Tenors.

In 2002 Kevin Jacobsen secured the world rights to present the musical Dirty Dancing based on the highly successful film written by Eleanor Bergstein. The show premiered in Sydney Australia in November 2004 and played to capacity houses. It is currently enjoying huge success in London’s West End, Hamburg, Toronto and Utrecht, Amsterdam with further markets planned to open later this year.
 
The Jacobsen Group of companies was the first private managers of a public facility.  Kevin is the founder and board member of the Sydney Entertainment Centre, Sydney Capitol Theatre and Vector Arena and was a founder member board of the Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Newcastle Entertainment Centre and the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Kevin has served as a Director of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) The Australian public broadcasting and television authority  During his term on the ABC initiatives included the setting up of national radio and television programs to promote Australian music.

Kevin is the recipient of the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM), for services to the Performing Arts and Entertainment Industry.   He is an Australia Day Ambassador and has received many accolades and awards for his contribution to the entertainment business.

The Jacobsen Group consists of family members and associates, both new and old, who cover many areas of entertainment and venue management forming a solid foundation for the company now and long into its future.