Company: Untitled Group
Company Description: Untitled Group is Australia's largest independently-owned music and events company, renowned as the masterminds behind much-loved festivals Beyond The Valley, Pitch Music & Arts, Wildlands, Grapevine Gathering, For The Love and Ability Fest.
Nomination Category: Company / Organization Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Company of the Year - Hospitality & Leisure - Small
 Nomination Title: Untitled Group
- Which will you submit for your nomination in this category, a video of up to five (5) minutes in length about the achievements of the nominated organization since 1 January 2020, OR written answers to the questions for this category? (Choose one):
Written answers to the questions
- If you are submitting a video of up to five (5) minutes in length, provide the URL of the nominated video here, OR attach it to your entry via the "Add Attachments, Videos, or Links to This Entry" link above, through which you may also upload a copy of your video.
- If you are providing written answers for your submission, you must provide an answer to this first question: Briefly describe the nominated organization: its history and past performance (up to 200 words):
Total 200 words used.
Untitled Group is Australia's largest independently-owned music and events company, renowned as the masterminds behind much-loved festivals Beyond The Valley, Pitch Music & Arts, Wildlands, Grapevine Gathering, For The Love and Ability Fest. After identifying a gap in the market during a period when several big music festivals had become extinct such as Future Music Festival, Big Day Out, Stereosonic and Soundwave - we launched Beyond The Valley, a diverse Australian music festival held over the New Year's Eve period at Lardner Park in regional Victoria. This would kick off our ambitious journey to create a wide range of enigmatic and impactful experiences, grounded in our understanding of the music industry's ever-evolving needs and audiences. What sets us apart is our unique approach to creating amazing festival experiences which engage people with the real world, deliver human connection, and create incredible memories - all while solidifying Untitled Group as the gold standard for music experiences globally. The innovative way we utilise data has spurred our rapid growth and diversification within the industry, with 300,000 tickets to events sold annually. We also operate an established international and domestic artist touring division, artist management roster, record label and Proxy talent agency.
- If you are providing written answers for your submission, you must provide an answer to this second question: Outline the organization's achievements since the beginning of 2020 that you wish to bring to the judges' attention (up to 250 words):
Total 249 words used.
Diversification With events coming to a standstill and the ongoing uncertainty spurred from the COVID-19 pandemic, we had to get creative and find unique ways to survive, remain resilient, and thrive. Our creative spirit led us to diversify into investing in startups through our venture capital arm, Untitled Ventures. We invested in other ventures such as QR code mobile ordering solution, Mr Yum, which raised $89 million in the third-largest Series A in Australian history, and is the largest Australian Series A for a female-led company. In addition to Mr Yum, Untitled Ventures backs companies such as CHARM, Tixel, 20v, Shouta, Bae Juice, Muso and Rently. While currently in development stages, we are also diversifying into developing products such as the world’s first sustainable vodka. We have taken a 25% stake in The Daily Aus, Australia’s fastest growing media company, created by young people for young people.
Resilience and growth Our ability to pivot quickly, implement diversification and international expansion into the U.S. and UK enabled us to remain resilient, and survive during a time where the future of our industry was in doubt. In the 2021 financial year, Untitled Group secured over $11 million in revenue, and for the 2022 financial year, we’re forecasting at least 77% sales growth. In the last year we’ve hired over 30 additional full-time staff. We recently secured the contract to present the music and entertainment at the Australian Open, which was previously done by Mushroom group for the past 12 years.
- If you are providing written answers for your submission, you must provide an answer to this third question: Explain why the achievements you have highlighted are unique or significant. If possible compare the achievements to the performance of other players in your industry and/or to the organization's past performance (up to 250 words):
Total 216 words used.
The COVID-19 pandemic created the single worst conditions ever experienced for the Australian events industry. Festivals tended to be among the first events cancelled as each new round of COVID-19 restrictions were announced or a new COVID-19 variant emerged. Our events were just another casualty of the global pandemic and were cancelled or rescheduled hundreds of times, creating a logistical nightmare. Untitled Group moved heaven and earth to enable events to continue at different times or formats where possible. For example, we held Beyond The City over New Year’s Eve in 2021, as an alternative to Beyond The Valley, bringing the music and experiences that the original festival is renowned for to the city for 20,000 festival goers to enjoy the festival experience. In comparison, most other promoters such as Live Nation and Mushroom weren’t as quick to pivot and deliver in this time. As Australia emerges out of the worst of the pandemic, the buzz and demand for festivals is at an all time high, with people seeking human connection and wanting to create incredible memories. With more than 95% of Australians over the age of 16 now vaccinated and restrictions easing across the country, Australians are primed to return to festivals and events, and we are well positioned to deliver on these expectations.
- You have the option to answer this final question: Reference any attachments of supporting materials throughout this nomination and how they provide evidence of the claims you have made in this nomination (up to 250 words):
Total 42 words used.
Economic Impact Statements for festivals (showcase the economic impact on regional areas where Untitled Group events are held)
Untitled Group website
Beyond the Valley website (first festival the company ever held)
Beyond the Valley Facebook page (first festival the company ever held)
| Attachments/Videos/Links: |
|---|
|
