Michael Jacobsen

Government Advisor & Cultural Leader

Michael Jacobsen is an international cultural leader and strategic advisor to governments on entertainment, media, performing arts, and creative-economy development. He serves as an Advisory Board Member and senior advisor to Their Excellencies the Chairman and Undersecretary of the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi (DCT), working closely with senior leadership on cultural strategy, international positioning, and ecosystem development.

Over the past decade, Michael has advised governments across the UK, Australia, and Central and Eastern Europe on innovation, culture, entrepreneurship, and economic transformation. He has worked with prime ministers, ministers of economy, and sovereign stakeholders, as well as family offices, funds, and NGOs shaping long-term societal impact. His advisory work focuses on leveraging cultural IP, placemaking, and creative industries to drive tourism growth, urban regeneration, and national brand equity.

Earlier in his career, as founder, major shareholder, and Executive Chairman of a leading international venue group, Michael developed, owned, and operated landmark convention centres, theatres, and arenas across the Asia-Pacific, the United States, and Europe. These venues hosted more than 60,000 events for 75 million attendees, generated over US$50 billion in economic impact, created 150,000 jobs, and catalysed major urban precinct development.

He also led the global transformation of Dirty Dancing into one of the world’s most successful live entertainment franchises, generating over US$2 billion in lifetime revenues.

Michael is the author of two books on creativity and entrepreneurship, a recognised international speaker, and a recipient of a Slovak National Honour and a Lifetime Hall of Fame induction from the Great British Entrepreneur Awards.