Aldo Giampaolo named Chief Executive Officer of Feeling Productions Inc., the company which manages the career of Celine Dion

MONTREAL, June 11, 2014 /PRNewswire/ - It is with great pleasure and with the utmost confidence that Rene Angelil announces today that his long-time close friend, Aldo Giampaolo, has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer of Feeling Productions Inc., the company which manages Celine Dion's career.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140611/117201)

By mutual accord, Celine and Rene have decided that the time has come to bring this appointment to fruition, one that Rene had proposed to Aldo several years ago.

"Considering our long-standing friendship, our mutual respect, and our past collaborations, this was a logical step for all of us" said Rene Angelil.

"I am extremely touched and honoured to be offered this new challenge, and I see it as a continuation of the close working relationship that Rene and I have enjoyed for the past 25 years", said Aldo Giampaolo.

Beginning the month of August, Aldo Giampaolo will take up permanent residence in Las Vegas with his family.

The two partners also wish to reiterate that their business working relationship with Quebecor remains harmonious as always, and wish to sincerely thank them for their collaboration.

Rene Angelil will assume the role of Chairman, and Aldo Giampaolo will act as Chief Executive Officer and Associate Manager of Celine. Gilles Lapointe will continue in his role as Executive VP, Finance & Administration for the Feeling Group, and Dave Platel will continue in his role as Associate Manager of Celine.

BIO - ALDO GIAMPAOLO
Aldo Giampaolo's 25 plus years of show business experience in Quebec is decidedly noteworthy, as are his in-depth knowledge of the industry and his broad network of local, national and international promoter and artist relationships.

After honing his skills for eight years beginning in 1978, as Director of Auditoriums and Arenas at the City of Verdun (near Montreal), Mr. Giampaolo became Vice-president of Operations at the Montreal Forum in 1986. From 1994 to 1996, he was also Executive Project Director of the "new Montreal Forum" (originally the Molson Centre and since 2002, the Bell Centre). In this capacity, Mr. Giampaolo received high praise from the community for the clever use of the facility's four principal configurations, for which he had developed and executed the construction plans. With a capacity ranging from 2,000 to 22,000 seats, this major arena is still recognized as one of the most multifunctional venues in North America.

As Executive Vice-president and General Manager of the Bell Centre from 1996 to 2001, Mr. Giampaolo continued to optimize venue operations and expand entertainment activities. From 2001 to 2004, he was named President of Gillett Entertainment Group (today, evenko) - which managed the entertainment business activities of the former Molson Centre - presenting more than 400 events annually, across Quebec, Eastern Canada & the U.S. Northeast, in both 2003 and 2004, as well as co-producing Star Académie (the Quebec version of American Idol) and the hugely successful French-language musical Don Juan.

Joining Cirque du Soleil in 2005, as General Manager, New Ventures Division, Mr. Giampaolo produced new live events and developed creative talent, as well as managed the partnership with Live Nation for Cirque's DELIRIUM, which toured large arenas across North America and Europe between 2006 and 2008. As Executive Producer from 2006 to 2011, Mr. Giampaolo was responsible for the development of new productions, including Wintuk, Banana Shpeel (in alliance with MSGE) and Zarkana - from concept - to production - to dress rehearsals - and finally to, its delivery to touring operations. In 2007 with the retirement of Saltimbanco imminent after 15 years of touring under the Big Top, M. Giampaolo devised and launched the Arena Tours Division, to produce and present an arena adaptation of this classic - extending the touring life cycles of this and the other CdS Big Top productions by as many as 5 years. Mr. Giampaolo was named Vice-President - Sales and Marketing, Touring Shows in 2011 and given the mandate to re-organize, to develop a new strategy for and to manage the sales, marketing and public relations (tickets, F&B and merchandising) of, all Cirque du Soleil big top and arena productions, touring globally.

In July of 2013, Mr. Giampaolo was appointed President & Chief Executive Officer of the newly launched Quebecor Media Inc., Sports & Entertainment Group, which consists of:

• Distribution Select - Canada's largest independent distributor of CDs and videos;
• Gestev Inc., Event Management - a sporting & cultural event management company presenter of the "Red Bull Crashed Ice", Ice Cross Downhill World Championship event & the "Snowboard Jamboree", FIS World Championships in Quebec City;
• Musicor, - one of Québec's largest music labels;
• Musicor Spectacles, - producer, promoter & presenter of local, national & international live entertainment events;
• Blainville-Boisbriand Armada, - Quebec Major Junior Hockey League team.
• AMQ, Amphithéâtre (Aréna) Multifonctionnel de Québec - Construction supervision, as well as, management, operation and maintenance of the Quebec City Multi-functional, Cultural & Sports Facility (new, 18,000+ seat arena), scheduled to be inaugurated in September 2015.

The close relationship that Celine Dion and René Angelil have with Aldo Giampaolo dates back to nearly 25 years. It was in 1993 that René decided to place his trust in Aldo and the innovative and ambitious concept he was proposing. Just a few months later, Céline would inaugurate the new Montreal Forum 'Theatre' (a configuration which, in time, was adopted by the majority of major arenas).

René has continued to demonstrate this same level of confidence throughout the years by granting Aldo the promotion of all of Celine's concerts in Quebec.

This relationship is just the logical and natural result of a great complicity, friendship and mutual respect.

SOURCE Productions Feeling Inc.