Right brain, or left? Most people are dominated by one side or the other. They are either intuitive, subjective and random -- the artists; or they are logical, objective and sequential -- the accountants. Some people are equally adept in either mode -- the architects.
Rich Krezwick is an architect. He's an idea guy and a detail guy. He envisions the sizzle, the beautiful exterior, the part people will remember. He also thoroughly understands the underpinnings necessary to support the plans his mind creates. And like all great architects, Rich is a manager and a team builder.
For more than 25 years, Rich Krezwick has been using his brilliant imagination, grasp of details and a team approach to build significant success in the sports and entertainment industry. His accumulated knowledge of marketing and sales qualifies him as skilled, disciplined and successful brand builder.
Currently, Krezwick is SVP AEG Facilities, overseeing arena properties in London, Stockholm, and other major European cities, along with arenas on the east coast of the United States. He rejoined AEG in 2014, after spending time in a similar role for three years ending in 2009. While with AEG previously, Krezwick had similar domestic and European arena responsibilities. On this tour with AEG, he initially relocated to London to oversee 10 arenas with more than 2000 events per year.
In his immediate past role as President of Devils Arena Entertainment, Krezwick took the Prudential Center arena from #41 in the United States in 2008; to #22 in 2009; rising to as high as #3 in 2012 and consistently in the top ten, over the last two years. Along with the programming growth, revenues and net income have grown exponentially.
The perennially successful New Jersey Devils have won three Stanley Cups, but have never been recognized as league leaders at the gate. Under Krezwick's direction, the Devils were recognized by the NHL as one of the top three league leaders in sponsorship revenue and ticket sales growth, while leading the league in new season tickets for the 2011-12 season. Sponsorship revenues increased nearly 50% under Krezwick's short tenure.
The Devils and Prudential Center brands have become recognized as industry leaders in revenue growth and revolutionary trends, with ESPN calling the Devils Mission Control efforts in social media, the most progressive in the NHL.
Krezwick lead a similar turnaround in Boston, before joining the Devils. Business Operations of the original six, Bruins were combined with a staff of more than one hundred arena professionals, running the new FleetCenter. This cultural shift was twelve months of design, implementation and facilitation. The results caused significant bottom line improvement and set the tone for the model franchise the Bruins are today and industry leading arena the TD Garden has become.
Driving revenue and producing a winning culture are key ingredients to Krezwick's success. He has successfully guided non-profit, government operations (MA Sports Partnership and MA Film Office), shown 50% revenue growth in three years of radio experience, managed arenas and hockey teams around the world and remains grounded in the basic principles of hard work, dogged determination and enthusiastic leadership.