Michael Jacobsen
Speaking engagements
Advisory Services
Board Appointments
Project Based Consulting
Michael is an internationally respected strategic advisor operating at the intersection of entertainment, media, arts, culture, and public policy. He serves as Advisor to the Board and Leadership of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and as Ambassador for the Future Forum. Following successful exits from private-sector entertainment ventures, he now advises sovereign initiatives and senior government leaders on visionary national frameworks that drive social and economic transformation through cultural infrastructure.
His expertise in public/private sector transformation bridges policy, innovation, culture, and diplomacy into cohesive strategies that unlock prosperity and future economies.
Michael's advisory experience includes serving the Minister of Economy of the Slovak Republic, the Vice-President of the European Investment Bank, and the European think tank Globsec, leveraging his unique amalgamation of culture/entertainment, marketing/communications, and government/public policy expertise to deliver measurable ROI through the strategic deployment of arts and culture initiatives.
about
PROFESSIONAL FOCUS
Michael is an internationally recognised cultural strategist and advisor working at the intersection of culture, media, entertainment, and the future creative economy. He operates at the intersection of culture/entertainment and government/public policy, and is a trusted advisor to sovereign initiatives specialising in orchestrating visionary national frameworks.
He serves as Advisor to the Board and Leadership of the Department of Culture and Tourism, Abu Dhabi, where he advises Leadership on strategy across performing arts, music, gaming, immersive experiences, culture, entertainment, and the broader experience economy, with a focus on cultural IP, sector development, and the role of culture in economic growth and global positioning. He also serves as Ambassador for the Future Forum.
CURRENT STRATEGIC ADVISORY WORK
Since exiting his private-sector businesses, Michael's work has evolved to senior strategic advisory, with a focus on organisational, city, and nation-building through arts and culture. His specialisation in public/private sector transformation drives deep systemic change, bridging policy, innovation, culture, and diplomacy into cohesive narratives that unlock futures, social and economic returns, and prosperity.
Michael advises governments, cities, and corporations on cultural strategy, creative industries, and how future-culture and IP drive economic growth, tourism, and global influence.
MISSION AND APPROACH
Michael's passion and focus are on creating the future economy and society through the tactical deployment of arts, culture, and entertainment strategies and initiatives. He serves senior government leaders and organisational leaders on this mission.
ENTREPRENEURIAL BACKGROUND AND GOVERNMENT EXPERIENCE
Over a 25-year career spanning entertainment, media, leisure, and cultural infrastructure, Michael developed and operated major entertainment and convention venues across the Asia-Pacific and served as a producer and rights holder of major international live entertainment productions, including the global stage production of Dirty Dancing. His projects and venues have contributed billions in economic and tourism impact, hosted millions of visitors, and helped develop major cultural and entertainment districts in cities around the world.
As an entrepreneur, he built some of the most successful brands and companies in entertainment and the arts, with a long history of deploying his expertise in private-sector entertainment, arts, and culture, and of cooperating with and delivering ROI to governments and other significant organisations on their economic and social development strategies.
GOVERNMENT EXPERIENCE AND INTERNATIONAL ADVISORY
Michael has advised governments at ministerial and leadership level across the UK and Central and Eastern Europe, and has worked with the European Investment Bank and the Government of the Slovak Republic on innovation, culture, and creative economy initiatives. He has served as Advisor to the Minister of Economy of the Slovak Republic, Advisor to the Vice-President of the European Investment Bank, and as a contributor to the major European think tank Globsec.
EXPERTISE AND IMPACT
With expertise spanning culture/entertainment, marketing/communications, and government/public policy, his amalgamated skill set has been instrumental in shaping strategies and initiatives that transform social and economic development and drive ROI through arts, culture, and entertainment.
Michael is a published author, television host, and frequent speaker, and serves as a regular media commentator on culture, entertainment, and the future of the creative and experience economy.