Nightlife Spotlight
DAVID HADDEN IS CHANGING THE NIGHTLIFE GAME
As director of lifestyle marketing and talent for Wynn Las Vegas’ acclaimed daylife and nightlife brands, David Hadden has become a well-known name in the Las Vegas hospitality landscape. Recognized for throwing some of the biggest parties and brand events in Sin City, Hadden can often be found mingling with high-profile artists and influencers. We asked him to indulge our curiosity and provide us with a glimpse into his wondrous nightlife world. How did you get involved in the entertainment industry? I started in college at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas hosting parties and events at different venues across the city including hookah lounges, event spaces, and popular restaurants. The events started small and grew as word got out. I didn’t really know what I was doing at the beginning, so it was a learning process. I threw parties for fun but quickly learned that there was a revenue component as well. I carried out everything from marketing and booking local DJs to the execution of events. Right after I turned 21, I was recruited by Tao Group with a role in VIP marketing. At this time, I was learning how nightlife worked so I would assist multiple departments to gain knowledge. Coming into nightlife, I didn’t have many contacts or any reputation in the industry, so I needed to make a name for myself. To establish my own brand, I started competing in nightlife contests around the city that offered significant prize pools for each event. The winner would be spotlighted and announced on the mic in a venue full of nightlife tastemakers. After winning several contests, I quickly grew a name for myself, and opportunities were presented. A short time after, I was recruited to join the opening VIP marketing team for Hakkasan Group, where I helped conceptualize new events and liaised with the company’s VIP and celebrity clientele. After four years with Hakkasan Group, I joined Wynn Nightlife in 2018, where I’ve played an integral part of the talent and marketing department. In my role as director of lifestyle marketing and talent, I curate special events, build out marketing plans, manage top-tier artists, and collaborate with celebrities and influencers.
76 | Deluxe Version Magazine
