Live Nation's Michael Coppel & Sony Music's Denis Handlin Make Queen's Birthday Honours List

12 June 2017 | 9:20 am | Staff Writer

The veteran promoter was previously head honcho of an eponymous touring company

Renowned industry figures Michael Coppel and Denis Handlin have been named on the annual Queen's Birthday honours list, which this year includes nearly 900 individuals.

As the ABC reports, Coppel was made a Member in the General Division of the Order of Australia in recognition of his contributions to the entertainment industry over the years, including as head honcho of his now-defunct touring company, Michael Coppel Presents, and his work with Live Nation Australasia, with whom MCP merged in 2012.

Coppel then served as president and chief executive of Live Nation's operations here and in New Zealand — a tenure that also included the company securing long-term management rights over Melbourne's historic Palais Theatre and the acquisition of Splendour In The Grass promoter Secret Sounds — before being made chairman in March this year.

Coppel was named the fifth most-powerful person in the music industry on the AMID Power 50 last year, rising more than 10 places as a result of Live Nation's growing activities — which included staging Adele's recent blockbuster tour, among several other notable events — and influence Down Under.

Don't miss a beat with our FREE daily newsletter

Fellow industry mainstay and Sony Music chief executive and chairman Handlinalready a Member in the General Division, an honour bestowed on the industry veteran in 2005 — was made an Officer in the General Division "for distinguished service to the Australian recording industry", as well as his philanthropic pursuits as a founding member of the Sony Foundation of Australia, which has raised more than $25 million for youth-focused charity over the past 19 years.

"I simply love mentoring young people who have a passion for the business and helping artists realise their career dreams," he told Nine News.

"It is a real honour."

They join a wide-ranging list of Australians on the honours list, which this year also includes the likes of award-winning actress Cate Blanchett (AC), Bangarra Dance director Stephen Page (AO), Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce (AC), media figure and election analyst Antony Green (AO) and many more.