Event producer and promoter evenko creates and produces large-scale festivals and events. This year, Pollstar, America’s most respected entertainment industry magazine, ranked evenko as the largest independent promoter in Canada and the 10th largest in North America. Each year, the independent Quebec company produces more than 1,200 musical, family and sporting events across Quebec, the Maritimes, and the Northeastern United States. evenko presents shows by the biggest international artists and invests in the development and promotion of artists from Quebec. We sat down with Chief Operating Officer Jacques Aubé.

Why does Montreal attract so many international artists?

Montreal is a vibrant and cosmopolitan city. It can host any musical genre. The people here like to go out and have fun. Artists often tell us that our city is home to the best audiences they’ve ever had. Plus, it has to be said that we’re very lucky to have the incredible Bell Centre as a venue.

With which artist have you had your most successful collaboration?

Céline Dion. When she comes here, she’s home. Last time she came to Montreal, we organized nine sold-out shows at the Bell Centre. We’ve also collaborated closely with U2. Their shows, which took place at the former Blue Bonnets Raceway, were quite a production feat.

What project are you the most proud of?

We’re very proud of the Osheaga festival, which has been held for twelve years now in Jean Drapeau Park. It’s an audacious music festival. In 2006, this kind of festival only existed in California and Chicago. Each year, 135,000 people attend Osheaga. U2’s visit was also memorable, as I said, but that was in 2011. They’ll have to come back!

Lets talk about food. What is the YUL EAT festival?

It’s a festival for foodies. It showcases local cuisine by bringing together local chefs, artisans and producers for three days. We also co-produced the Lolë White Tour, which brings together communities from around the world for spectacular yoga sessions dedicated to peace. We’ve presented pre-season Blue Jays games at the Olympic stadium since 2014. That’s creativity: bringing all kinds of incredible events to our city!

“evenko is now the fifth largest entertainment producer in the world. That’s something to be proud of!”

What is your short-term goal?

We’ve started developing festivals in the Laval area to reach audiences from the north of the city. We still have work to do. I would also like to discover the next big international artist. evenko’s roleis to promote and produce shows, but also to help artists grow with their audiences by presenting them in bigger and bigger venues. My passion, which I share with my team, is to create an environment favourable to large-scale projects. evenko is now the fifth largest entertainment producer in the world. That’s something to be proud of!

Text: Diane Stehle

Founded in 1984 in Baie-Saint-Paul by two former street artists, Guy Laliberté and Daniel Gauthier, Cirque du Soleil is now a multinational company with operations on all continents. Since 2015, TPG Capital has majority ownership of the company, while the Chinese company Fosum Capital Group and the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec have minority ownership. However, the company’s mission remains the same: to appeal to people’s imagination and stimulate their senses and emotions. Daniel Lamarre, President and CEO, tells us about it.

How do you explain the worldwide success of Cirque du Soleil?

To this day, Cirque du Soleil offers a one-of-a-kind show. From the very beginning, its creators had the good sense not to include any spoken language in the shows, enabling the company to gain universal recognition. Over the years, we have developed a unique global network of partners and sponsors who have contributed to making Cirque du Soleil into the international brand it is today. What’s amazing is that it was created from scratch by Quebecers.

How would you describe a Cirque du Soleil performance?

It’s hard to say! If you were to ask people, they would begin by saying it’s not a traditional circus performance, nor is it theatre. It’s not just dance, music or clown shows. The explanation would be a long one, because this circus is different from anything else that exists in terms of its form and artistic content. It is its own category.

“Our creators keep working in the same way, without any internal interference.”

When you become a large-scale entertainment company such as Cirque du Soleil, how do you preserve your creativity?

It’s our biggest challenge and we are doing a number of things to preserve it. First, our human resources department allocates many resources to seeking out the best talent in the world. Next, we are heavily investing in research and development of new acrobatic equipment technologies and inventions to enhance artists’ performances. In fact, we own a lab dedicated to such research. Finally, through our global network, we have an intelligence department that keeps an eye on what’s new, not only in the entertainment industry, but also in fashion, architecture, music and film. That way, we ensure that our creators have access to the best artistic content in the world to stay ahead of the curve.

What do spectators expect at a Cirque du Soleil show?

They expect to be wowed and surprised and to watch a performance with unparalleled quality. For our part, we want to continuously surprise and move them, to make them laugh and experience emotions.

How would you describe a Cirque du Soleil performance?

It’s hard to say! If you were to ask people, they would begin by saying it’s not a traditional circus performance, nor is it theatre. It’s not just dance, music or clown shows. The explanation would be a long one, because this circus is different from anything else that exists in terms of its form and artistic content. It is its own category. Since 2015, foreign investment funds have majority ownership of the company.

Does Cirque du Soleil remain as Québécois as before?

Yes, it does. The management team, myself included, has not changed its way of doing things. The only difference is that we now have greater financial resources and access to a worldwide network of contacts. With the recent acquisition of Blue Man Group, we have a number of ongoing projects, but our creators keep working in the same way, without any external interference.

What are your upcoming projects?

Right now, we first have a 14-month tour in Shanghai with Kooza. We will also soon be opening a permanent show in Hangzhou. The Chinese breakthrough is very important to us. On December 20th, we will also be presenting the world premiere of Crystal, our show on ice, at Montréal’s Centre Bell and shortly before that, on November 16, the NFL Experience will take place in Times Square in New York. Thanks to new technologies, NFL fans will experience a complete immersion. It’s a massive project. With the new owners, Cirque du Soleil’s expansion is skyrocketing.

Text: Diane Stehle

Private Banking 1859 opened its doors in 2009, the year National Bank celebrated its 150^th anniversary. Éric Bujold, a team player whose passion and vision helped to establish this landmark institution, became its president. This Gaspé native knows a thing or two about success. Before joining the top ranks of National Bank Financial (NBF) in 2006, Bujold and his team made NBF’s Rimouski branch the number-one brokerage firm in the Bas-Saint-Laurent. With Private Banking 1859, the businessman and his team of experienced specialists offer National Bank clients a one-stop-shop for all of their wealth management needs. Meet the man behind the vision.

What was the goal of Private Banking 1859 when it was established in 2009?

National Bank has always worked with businesses. For our 150^th anniversary, we wanted to offer our clients wealth management solutions that would round out our services. Our target clients are business owners and CEOs, as well as wealthy people in general—professional athletes, business executives, and more.

What makes Private Banking 1859’s services stand out in the financial market?

We offer completely integrated services and our team of multidisciplinary experts is able to meet all client needs: financing (loans, banking services), estate and financial planning, insurance, philanthropy, business transfers, and more. Private Banking 1859 is one of the rare industry players that can offer all these services.

Describe your typical clients.

They are people who have had successful careers and/or have accumulated a fortune. They are looking for a trustworthy expert to manage all aspects of their wealth. Quite often, our clients are well-versed in wealth management, but they just don’t have the time to take care of it themselves. When you’ve built up a significant amount of wealth, you need to be able to rely on expert counsellors, because a single mistake can have major repercussions.

What are the advantages of doing business with Private Banking 1859?

We build a close relationship with each of our clients, and we are wholly devoted to their needs. Our senior counsellors are available day and night, even on weekends, and they are supported by financial experts, a bit like a family doctor working with a team of medical specialists. Whether their careers are in full swing or they’re retired, our clients can count on us to make the most of their wealth.

How does the advice from Private Banking 1859 experts go beyond the financial?

We are very close to our clients. They come to us with their challenges and their ideas, seeking advice for big moves like transferring their business or organizing their estate. They need to bounce ideas off someone, to get a second opinion and come up with a winning solution. Our specialists do more than manage finances, they are our clients’ close confidants.

What can Private Banking 1859’s concierge services do for clients?

Our clients are busy people. We want to make life easier for them. Our concierge services can help them plan a trip, reserve a restaurant, buy concert tickets, access exclusive events and much more.

You are Chairman of the Board for the Fondation Jeunes en Tête. Why is this role important for you?

I have a very privileged life and it feels good to give back to the community. I’m especially drawn to helping young people, because they are our future. The Fondation Jeunes en Tête is particularly dear to my heart because it works to prevent psychological distress among youth. A lot of our work is with schools and our program makes a big difference where it matters most.

You are also a board member for the Fondation du Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal and the Toronto-based organization Business for the arts. Are you an art lover? Is there a connection between a love of the arts and private banking?

For me, art is a beautiful way for us to express ourselves. In addition to being on National Bank’s acquisition committee, I’m a passionate art collector myself. National Bank has one of the largest private art collections in Canada. This supports artists, and it also opens up more personal discussions between me and my clients. The artwork in my office stimulates deep conversations that strengthen our relationships.

www.privatebanking1859.ca

Text: Diane Stehle