Cover Michael Denmark at the AIA Carnival (Photo: Courtesy of Chris Lusher, Morgan Ommer and Kash Productions)
Michael Denmark at the AIA Carnival (Photo: Courtesy of Chris Lusher, Morgan Ommer and Kash Productions)
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Michael Denmark, founder of Great Entertainment Group, reflects on a decade of creating world-class events along Hong Kong's harbourfront as the AIA Carnival marks its tenth anniversary
Michael Denmark is the founder and chairman of Great Entertainment Group (GEG), which operates the AIA Carnival, AIA Vitality Park and the Hong Kong Observation Wheel. Last summer, GEG was given the tender to continue to operate the wheel for a further five years. Denmark and his team have been focused on creating world-class events and properties on Hong Kong’s harbourfront for the last decade; as the AIA Carnival reaches its tenth anniversary, he looks back on some of the moments he is most proud of.
What motivated your career path?
As an only child, I discovered at an early age the benefits of entertaining. Much to my mother’s chagrin, I left school at 16 before
my exams and began an adventure of travel, entrepreneurship, bartending, waiting tables, stockbroking, promoting parties and generally striving to put smiles on faces while trying to figure out what I was doing with my life.
Is there a habit or mindset that has helped you throughout life?
Impostor syndrome has very much kept me on my toes. The fear of being found out tends to drive you to learn more, push harder and refuse to fold when ridiculous pressure arrives—and then, one day, you realise you’ve actually learnt quite a lot on your adventure.
What have been some of GEG’s most significant achievements?
Over the past ten years, we have sold more than six million carnival tickets and 250,000-plus circus tickets, won awards and evolved into a family tradition. The growth of our commitment to the community through the development of our Community Stage, created by my clever wife Tina in year one of the carnival, is my greatest achievement. The Community Stage is providing a platform for more than 336 community partners this year, with 500 performances by 5,000-plus performers—it’s priceless.
Above Denmark with his wife, Tina (Photo: Courtesy of Chris Lusher, Morgan Ommer and Kash Productions)
Denmark with his wife, Tina (Photo: Courtesy of Chris Lusher, Morgan Ommer and Kash Productions)
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How has GEG positively impacted the local community?
At the heart of what we do is supporting and giving back to our local communities. We have 300-plus community partners and 20,000-plus participants in our community programme at the AIA Carnival. In the past two years, the AIA Vitality Hub has had 72,000 participants in its free health and wellness classes, together with AIA’s brand promise to encourage healthier, longer and better lives. We run education programmes with schools and universities. Examples include school tours and STEM workshops at the carnival, and maritime history tours in collaboration with the Hong Kong Maritime Museum at Hong Kong Observation Wheel. We regularly support local artists and the art community through initiatives such as Hong Kong Frames, a network of 400 local photographers whose work we proudly showcase at our attractions and events. Then finally, we have our long-term partnership with [non-profit arts organisation] HKWalls and its youth mentorship programme, where we help young artists to practise and showcase their skills. Our events have created 20,000 jobs in the last decade.
How do you envision the next decade for GEG?
The next decade is all about succession and watching the team take control of the carnival while I focus on art-related projects. We are super-excited to be bringing back Cirque du Soleil in partnership with UBS—we always look for partners who are willing to collaborate, enhance and generally embrace the adventure we can go on when we bring such large-scale entertainment to the city.
How do you think the Central Harbourfront will evolve in terms of entertainment in the coming years?
We have managed to achieve a lot with AIA, the Hong Kong Observation Wheel, the AIA Vitality Park and at the AIA Vitality Hub. The exciting integration of the park into Henderson Land’s plans are game-changing for the harbourfront. Beside the Wheel is the new Central Harbourfront Site 3—a mixed-use development project by Henderson Land. Over the next five years, we’ll be working with the company closely to create a seamless visitor experience, blending both sites to create spaces for art, cultural experiences and diverse events open to all. There will simply be more opportunities to celebrate art and culture, and healthy lifestyles. From a tourism perspective, it is also very good timing.
Above Michael Denmark at the AIA Carnival (Photo: Courtesy of Chris Lusher, Morgan Ommer and Kash Productions)
Michael Denmark at the AIA Carnival (Photo: Courtesy of Chris Lusher, Morgan Ommer and Kash Productions)
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What leadership lessons have you learnt with GEG?
Believe in your vision, lead by example and demonstrate commitment. Positively reinforce the necessity of taking risks in the business of entertainment. Create opportunities, nurture talent, share success and push through challenges together. Stay humble and foster a culture that encourages the sharing of ideas. Celebrate success and do not shy away from failure, mistakes or weaknesses. Everything is a test—producing entertainment and building a business is very much a team effort. Everyone has value and must know that they are appreciated, respected and an integral part of the team.
If you were to publish an autobiography, what would you title it, and why?
Onwards. I tend to sign off emails with “onwards”—this was born out of having to find the strength to carry on through the early years of GEG as we grew very quickly.
Who do you consider your mentors and what have they taught you?
I was fascinated by Richard Branson as a kid, as he had left school with ADHD, with no qualifications and didn’t know the rules. This stuck with me. I met him once and thanked him. He’s a very good human. In Hong Kong, I’ve had three mentors. One is the chairman of a bank, one is the CEO of an insurance company and one is a successfully retired producer of live entertainment. I learnt a lot from them all but the biggest lesson has always been to trust my own gut instinct and intuition. Yes, check the details, but the message has always been to never give up, stay humble and be honest. Treat everyone equally and be sure to look everyone in the eye.
What would you say distinguishes you from other people?
I am a raw entrepreneur who focuses on putting smiles on faces and I never, ever give up, even when everyone is telling me to. It took me a while but we have built a successful group of companies around this approach, because there is always a way to achieve one’s goals. Nothing is impossible.
What surprises people when they get to know you?
I wear my heart on my sleeve, so there are very few surprises, but I guess most people see me when I am “on” and entertaining; that “me” tends to want to hug everyone and ensure they’re all happy. The other “me” just wants to spend time at home watching rugby or travelling with my incredible wife and my boys Max and Joe.
What do you do every morning to set yourself up for the day?
I plan my days in order of difficulty: gym first, then I tackle management opportunities one by one.
How do you destress?
Destress? I am working on this one. It’s a life’s [worth of work], but I do spend a lot of time at The Athletic Club on Wellington Street training and laughing, so that’s a good start.
As Content Director at Tatler Hong Kong, Tara shapes the brand's editorial vision across social, digital and print. She also drives the planning and execution of Tatler's flagship IPs. In her dual role as Head of VIP, she reports on Asia's most influential figures — from CEOs and leaders across business, style and the arts — curates star-studded events, and builds the relationships and communities that define the brand. Born and raised in the Middle East, she honed her craft in Dubai, crafting communication strategies for luxury brands across the Gulf. Follow her on Instagram @tarasobti.
