Pori Jazz Festival to transition leadership to new company after 50 years of organization

After over 50 years of organizing the Pori Jazz Festival, Pori Jazz 66 ry has decided to hand over festival responsibilities to a newly established company. At a meeting on Monday, the association’s members unanimously approved this new arrangement. Of the 170 members, 45 attended to vote on the decision.

“I am very pleased with the decision. The goal was to secure the future of Pori Jazz, ensure its continuation in Pori, and find a solid ownership structure,” stated Timo Santavuo, chairman of Pori Jazz 66.

The new company, Pori Jazz Festival oy, will have its shareholders evenly distributed among the Svenska Kulturfonden i Björneborg (SKiB), Satakunnan Osuuskauppa, and the Korsi Foundation. The rights to the Pori Jazz name and other related intellectual property will remain with Pori Jazz 66, but licensing agreements for their use will be made with the new company under a long-term contract.

“The duration of the agreement is 6+4 years,” Santavuo said, though he did not disclose the financial details of the deal, stating that shareholders would announce that themselves, but assured that the association’s finances are secure.

SKiB Chairman Oskar Björndahl mentioned that the collaboration is not aimed at profit but rather to support cultural activities in Pori and the surrounding area.

The new company will commence operations on November 1, with existing staff transitioning into their roles as employees of the new organization. Responsibilities for organizing next summer’s festival will also shift to the new company, but Santavuo expressed confidence that the festival will remain fundamentally unchanged for attendees.