LA Philharmonic Names Philip Koester Vice President of Marketing and Communications

Los Angeles Philharmonic Chief Executive Officer Simon Woods announced today the appointment of Philip Koester to the position of Vice President of Marketing and Communications. Koester joins the LA Phil from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association, where he was Vice President for Sales and Marketing.

"We're thrilled to welcome Phil to the Los Angeles Philharmonic. His experience both in Chicago and Los Angeles, his understanding of digital marketing, and his commitment to reaching audiences across traditional social boundaries make him the perfect person to lead the LA Phil's audience building into a new era," said Woods.

Philip Koester assumes his new position on September 10, 2018. His responsibilities will include the leadership and management of all marketing, communications, and sales operations for the organization, reporting to Chief Operating Officer Chad Smith.

"I am very excited to join the team at the Los Angeles Philharmonic and thrilled to have the opportunity to contribute to the ongoing success of this dynamic organization," said Koester. "I'm especially energized to arrive as the 100th season gets underway. In my new role, I look forward to building meaningful relationships between the LA Phil and communities throughout the great city of Los Angeles and Southern California."

Philip Koester has been with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association, where he was responsible for leading all the marketing and communications initiatives, since 2012. He has a proven track record for shaping organizational and marketing strategies and most recently achieved tickets sales of over $23.3 million. He has also been recognized by the League of American Orchestras, Opera America, and Tessitura as a thought leader in patron retention strategies, digital innovation, and diversity issues.

Prior to his tenure with the CSO, Koester held director of marketing positions at Lyric Opera of Chicago and at LA Opera. He has also held marketing and publicity positions at the Louisville Orchestra and Ravinia Festival. A native of Louisville, Kentucky, Koester has a Master of Arts in Medieval History from Loyola University of Chicago and a Bachelor of Arts in History from Bellarmine University, Kentucky.