Ed Bailey
Vice President of Austin City Limits Brand Development
Tourism and Entertainment Brand Consultant based in Austin, Texas
As the Vice President of Austin City Limits Brand Development, Bailey was instrumental in changing the funding model for the ACL TV series/brand to include new corporate partnerships and licensing. This led to creating the Austin City Limits Music Festival with C3 Presents - generating over $4.5B in economic impact to Austin since its debut. Bailey launched Live From Austin City Limits label with New West Records and created the first ACL Merchandise store at Austin airport. Bailey was on the planning team that created ACL Live at The Moody Theater, a $40m concert venue and production studio as part of a $300m mixed use development anchored by a W Hotel. Bailey led the development of The Austin City Limits Tour Experience that opened in October 2025.
Prior to joining ACL, Ed helped launch the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame + Museum in Cleveland, Ohio. He managed a $40 million sponsorship portfolio, $10 million merchandise sales, numerous product licensing agreements, licensing agency, sponsorship agency, and intellectual property management. Bailey created a national tour of RRHOFM, promoted the opening Concert For Hall of Fame on HBO, Annual RRHOF Induction Ceremonies on VH1, contributed to exhibition planning, and destination marketing strategy for the Museum.
Bailey’s experience as an advertising agency executive set the foundation of his career and consulting work with numerous nonprofit and entertainment organizations. Ed managed Cedar Point Amusement Park + Resorts advertising account for 6 years. Bailey was involved in strategic planning, market research, product development, sponsorship negotiations, and overall budgeting. Cedar Point, named the best-managed park by the Amusement industry multiple years, is the #1 entertainment destination in Ohio.
Other consulting clients have included: Paul Allen’s Experience Music Project, Buddy Holly Center, River Music Experience, B.B. King Museum, Farm Aid, Americana Music Association and Opry Entertainment Group
Ed is an active community volunteer and has contributed to the Boards of: Austin Music Foundation, Texas Hill Country Wine & Food Festival, SUN Radio Foundation, Live Music Tutor – a digital music education company, and Orchid Music Design – specializing in proprietary environmental sound design. He was named to the Austin Grand Prix Host Committee and helped launch Austin’s Formula 1 race and track. Ed currently is Chair of the Austin Tourism Commission which advises City Council on best practices on growing and investing Hotel Occupancy Taxes generated by Austin Tourism and Convention business.
Bailey’s insights on tourism + entertainment marketing, fundraising, cultural economic development, and public/private partnerships have been shared at: SXSW Music Conference, Richard Florida’s Creative Cities Summit, and the University of Texas, McCombs School of Business. Bailey was featured at the first Hawaiian Music Industry Conference on Building Creative Cities and Music Communities and addressed the American Association of Museums Annual Conference with a presentation on Living the Brand.
Fun Fact: Ed and Willie Nelson share a birthday.