Has it really been over 30 years?
I have been in the technology business since the early 1990s, initially managing systems - including developing and supporting in-house ticketing, marketing and CRM/fundraising applications - for high-profile entertainment presenters and venues. In 1998, I established my own consulting firm (for the first but not last time), helping numerous venues and organizations evaluate and implement technologies and business processes.
I was asked in 2001 by college ticketing market leader Paciolan to help them expand internationally and more aggressively into other markets – including performing arts, professional sports and regional and specialized ticketing distributors.
After a brief stint with Ticketmaster in 2008, I spent 5 years with Tickets.com in various capacities from operations to product management to sales, ending my time there with a very fun and successful term as Vice President of Marketing and Communications.
After leaving Tickets.com in late 2013, I joined the AXS Digital division of AEG as Vice President of Product Marketing, responsible for developing “go to market” and sales strategies for their ticketing and marketing solutions. I later served as Vice President of Business Development during the spinoff of AXS from AEG and merger with Outbox Enterprises in late 2014, and teeing up their later acquisition of competitor, Veritix.
In April 2016 I became an Executive Consultant to SeatGeek, aiding in the company’s entry into primary ticketing and helping acquire and integrate ticketing platform, TopTix/SRO. This evolved into a full-time role as Executive Vice President of Client Services, establishing a worldwide service and support organization.
I joined Patron Technology in late 2019 as Senior Vice President of Marketing and the following year added the entire UX/UI and Product Management group to my purview combining these key groups as SVP, Product & Marketing. In this capacity I helped lead the company through the challenges of the COVID19 pandemic, restructuring the organization and helping bring in new investors.
Post-pandemic, I was asked to focus on key initiatives as SVP, Marketing & Communications which included a complete rebranding of the company and 9 distinct product brands to the new, unified Leap Event Technology. I also led the acquisition of Digital Marketing agency Fan Interactive in 2023.
With Neon Palm Tree, I specialize in helping organizations foster innovation and develop their businesses. In particular, for technology and marketing service providers, I have provided product roadmap assistance, product marketing plans and corporate development strategic services including playing a role in mergers and acquisitions. I continue to offer my lengthy experience and knowledge to move companies forward in any ways I can, mainly serving in an advisory capacity to executives and boards of directors.
Doug Lyons - Co-Founder
Neon Palm Tree, LLC
Founded: 2015
It all started when I ran away to join the circus...
Yes, that really is how my story starts. After graduating from the University of Southern California’s Marshall School of Business I got my first job with Feld Entertainment, masterminds of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus and Disney on Ice. I spent years learning everything I could about live entertainment marketing. It was, and still is, an amazing company to learn event marketing and sales from the ground up.
I eventually decided that I was ready for another type of circus…Las Vegas. When I started in Vegas there were over 200,000 entertainment seats to fill every day. I had my work cut out for me; and I now worked for an arena attached to a hotel and casino so there was a whole new set of knowledge to gain. I have spent time behind the front desk, in the cashier's cage, in the catering office, and of course learning about the art of casino gaming. This was all while in charge of marketing, sales, ticketing, and food and beverage for the Orleans Arena.
After seven and half years in Las Vegas it is was time to come back to sunny LA. I had the amazing opportunity to work with facilities all around the world from the U.S. to Europe to China and Australia in my role heading up marketing for AEG's Facilities division.
In 2012 and again in 2016, I oversaw the marketing, group sales, premium, and ticketing, in partnership with USAG, for the Kellogg’s Tour of Gymnastics Champions, the highest grossing post-Olympic gymnastics tour in history. I continued to consult on other post-olympic gymnastics tours in 2020 and 2024.
With the Professional Bull Riders, I helped to launch sales and marketing for the PBR BlueDef Velocity Tour. In 2017, I had the privilege of marketing a key segment of the US portion of Roger Waters' "Us + Them" tour. With these tours and AEG Facilities Marketing Network (an impressive group of venue marketers) we have shared best practices from around the world.
I am now bringing that knowledge and experience to Neon Palm Tree, another new adventure. I am excited to work with new partners and old friends to increase their efficiency and revenue.