Avant Gardner hires new CEO to tackle Electric Zoo after festival’s viral 2023 predicament

Avant Gardner has appointed a new CEO to restore the reputation of THE electric zoo festival following 2023 scandal.

Avant Gardner, the organization that owns the Electric Zoo festival, has brought on a new CEO to address challenges from the 2023 festival’s disaster, according to Billboard. Former NeueHouse CEO Josh Wyatt will now lead the company in hopes of regaining the trust of festivalgoers. Wyatt aims to steer Avant Gardner in a fresh direction after the recent controversies.

Wyatt shared that previous management had issues with communication, particularly with Electric Zoo’s stakeholders. Reflecting on last year’s festival, he acknowledged a decline in customer engagement that contributed to the dissatisfaction. To rebuild trust, he has personally reached out to stakeholders to resolve issues and ensure that attendees are compensated.

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In the wake of last year’s event, Wyatt has taken steps to improve the organization’s relationship with its audience. He stated that he’s made an effort to address concerns by providing refunds to ticket-holders and resolving legal complications. Wyatt expressed pride in his progress toward making amends with the Electric Zoo community.

Avant Gardner, a popular New York nightlife venue that also includes the Brooklyn Mirage, only recently acquired Electric Zoo before the 2023 festival on Randall’s Island. The event faced multiple class-action lawsuits after spoiled by a first-day cancellation, unfinished stage setups, long will-call lines, operational and safety hazards, and ticket holders being denied entry on the final day due to overselling. Now, the company is focusing on turning things around under Wyatt’s leadership.

As part of his vision, Wyatt is planning an “experiential evolution” for Avant Gardner, using capital from a new investor. Working closely with Avant Gardner co-founder Billy Bildstein, he aims to create unique spaces within the venue, including a mocktail bar and community areas. Part of the plan also includes a hi-fi listening room and art studios.

While these new experiences have not yet been scheduled, Wyatt and the team are dedicated to bringing them to fruition in the near future. The changes show Avant Gardner’s commitment to enhancing its spaces and events for the New York nightlife community. Festivalgoers now await further announcements about this new chapter for Avant Gardner and Electric Zoo.

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Featured Image Courtesy of Margaryta Bushkin / Muccitas