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Russell Faibisch
Russell Faibisch
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Russell Faibisch (born July 7, 1977[1]) is an American music festival producer and concert promoter. He is the co-founder of the Ultra Music Festival, an outdoor electronic music festival in Miami,[2] and creator of the Ultra Worldwide brand.[3] He is CEO, President, and Executive producer of the Ultra organization, and is also the chairman of the board, upon which and Adam Russakoff serve.[4][5] Currently, Faibisch presides over an international chain of branded music festivals, concerts, and events, which include editions spanning across Europe, Australia, Asia, Africa, South, and North America, plus globally syndicated radio broadcasts, an online YouTube channel, music films, and premieres.[6] In April 2016, Ultra Music Festival won the DJ Mag award for "World's Number 1 Festival," which was voted on by over 500,000 fans worldwide.[5] In 2008, Ultra was also given the DJ Award for "International Dance Music Festival".[7]" In 2014, Faibisch was ranked #6 on Rolling Stone's "Most Important People in EDM List.[6]" Later that year, Billboard named Faibisch and business partner Adam Russakoff on the "EDM Power Players - Executives List.[8] In 2016 and 2017, both Faibisch and Russakoff were again named on Billboards annual "Power List of DJs and Executives."[9][10] In 2017, Magnetic Magazine named Faibisch the "Industry Person of the Year."[11]

Key Information

Early life and education

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Russell Faibisch was born in Miami Beach, Florida and majored in business at Florida International University.[12]

Career

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Creation of Ultra

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In 1997, Faibisch created the Ultra brand in relation to event productions when he formed Ultra Productions, and began producing electronic music warehouse events and rave parties in Miami, including Amoeba in 1998[12] and Magical Maydaze. Both events were co-produced with then business associate, Ray Navarro. After placing an ad in a local music magazine for one of his events, Faibisch met Alex Omes, publisher of D'VOX magazine.[13] Faibisch and Omes quickly became friends and business partners, together co-founding the Ultra Music Festival.[14] Ultra Music Festival paved the way and built the modern dance festival foundation.[15] Since its founding, Ultra Music Festival has grown into one of the world's largest electronic dance music festivals.[16] An estimated 400,000 people attended Ultra Music Festival over the course of two weekends in 2013, the highest number of attendees to date.[17]

The international festival, founded by Faibisch and Omes, has taken place every March since its inception in 1999 at Collins Park, Miami.[2] The festival celebrated its nineteenth anniversary from 24–26 March 2017 by bringing over 165,000 people[18] to the sold out event at Bayfront Park located in downtown Miami.[19] Ultra Music Festival returns to Bayfront Park for its twentieth anniversary, 23–25 March 2018.[20]

Expansion

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The Ultra and Ultra Worldwide brands represent the world's biggest and most successful remaining independent electronic music festival brand.[21] The Ultra Worldwide brand, created by Faibisch, has established festivals and events in twenty countries internationally across five continents[22]—including Argentina,[23] Bali,[24] Brazil,[25] Chile,[26] Croatia,[27] Ibiza,[28] Japan,[29] Korea,[30] South Africa,[31] Bolivia,[32] Colombia,[33] Hong Kong,[34] Paraguay,[35] Peru,[32] the Philippines,[36] Puerto Rico,[37] Singapore,[38] Taiwan,[39] Thailand,[40] and of course Miami.

In 2017 Ultra Mexico first edition in Mexico took place in Foro Pegaso located 30min away from Mexico City. The biggest stage of Ultra history took place here with headliners like Dash Berlin, Alesso, Armin van Buuren, Afrojack and Martin Garrix among others.

Additionally, Faibisch and the Ultra brands pioneered the live stream experience, Ultra Live, where the festival is brought online to over 20 million viewers globally[41] and the audio broadcasting platform UMF Radio, which was winner of Mixcloud's 2015 "Best EDM Radio Show" and is now syndicated to FM Radio in over 93 countries.

In 2012, Faibisch and Ultra Worldwide also launched UMF Films, a collaboration with Amsterdam-based film company Final Kid, which has gone on to produce many of Ultra's after movies[42]—including a feature-length documentary exploring the rise of dance music, entitled "Can U Feel It" which premiered on 21 March 2012 at the Klipsch Amphitheater in Bayfront Park.[43] "Can U Feel It" was also released in select theaters across the United States for one night only, on 22 March 2012.[44]

See also

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References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Russell Faibisch (born July 7, 1977) is an American music promoter and festival producer, best known as the founder, CEO, chairman, and executive producer of and its parent company, Ultra Worldwide. Born and raised in the western suburbs of , Faibisch developed an early interest in electronic music after attending events like the Divine Playground party in 1993 at age 15. He attended and took business classes at before dropping out to pursue his career in event production. By age 20, Faibisch had organized his first promotional event, , in 1998, which drew 2,500 attendees and marked his entry into the local scene. In 1999, Faibisch co-founded with Alex Omes, launching the inaugural event at Collins Park in Miami Beach with approximately 10,000 attendees; the festival's name was inspired by Depeche Mode's 1997 album Ultra. Under his leadership, the festival relocated to in 2001 and expanded into a global brand, with Ultra Worldwide now producing events in 26 cities across 29 countries on six continents. The event has grown to attract over 165,000 attendees annually and has been ranked the world's top music festival by in previous years, placing #2 in 2025. Faibisch's tenure has included innovations such as the * platform, which has garnered over 2.3 billion views since 2012, and UMF RADIO, a station with 22 million weekly listeners syndicated in more than 62 countries. In 2018, through an affiliate, Ultra acquired the , further solidifying its influence in the electronic music industry. The company has also emphasized sustainability, with its Mission: Home program earning multiple event industry awards, including the World Sustainability Award in 2024. Throughout his career, Faibisch has navigated challenges, including initial financial losses of $10,000 to $20,000 per event, city opposition to noise and crowd concerns, drug-related controversies at festivals, and a 2012 lawsuit from co-founder Omes alleging wrongful removal from the company, which was litigated and resolved in favor of Ultra following Omes' death in 2015. Despite these hurdles, Ultra remains one of the last major festivals in the United States as of 2025. In 2025, the festival celebrated its 25th anniversary from March 28 to 30 at , featuring a documentary series highlighting its history.

Early life and education

Family background and upbringing

Russell Faibisch was born at in . As a Miami Beach native, he was raised in the western suburbs of Miami-Dade County, including areas like Hialeah. Faibisch's father, also named Russell Faibisch, played a significant role in shaping his early worldview, instilling a strong sense of through involvement in family enterprises, including a bail bonds business. Growing up in this environment, Faibisch observed his parents' dedication to hard work and , which emphasized providing for the family amid South Florida's competitive business landscape. During his childhood and adolescence in the 1980s and 1990s, Faibisch gained early exposure to music and events within Miami's burgeoning cultural scene, which was increasingly influenced by trends emerging from clubs and local performances. While attending , he developed a particular affinity for electronic music, introduced by attending a concert in 1993 and particularly hooked on raves by the Divine Playground party in March 1993 at age 15. This period laid the personal groundwork that later led him to pursue formal education in business at .

Academic pursuits

Russell Faibisch enrolled at (FIU) in the mid-1990s, pursuing a major in . His focused on business principles, providing foundational knowledge in and that aligned with his family's business-oriented background. Although no specific extracurricular involvement in music or event-related student organizations is documented during his time at FIU, Faibisch's studies were interrupted as he shifted focus to entrepreneurial pursuits. He ultimately did not complete his degree, leaving the university when his early event production efforts began to demand full attention. FIU's location in exposed Faibisch to the city's emerging scene, fostering early connections within the local entertainment industry that shaped his career trajectory. This environment, combined with his business education, equipped him with practical insights into event production and networking essential for future ventures.

Professional career

Founding of Ultra Music Festival

In 1997, Russell Faibisch formed Ultra Productions in , marking the beginning of his venture into (EDM) event promotion through small-scale warehouse parties and raves in . These early gatherings, which drew hundreds of attendees, served as foundational experiences that honed Faibisch's production skills and built a local following for underground EDM scenes. Building on this momentum, Faibisch co-founded the in 1999 with his business partner Alex Omes, launching it as a one-day outdoor event tied to Miami's . The inaugural festival took place on March 13, 1999, at Collins Park in Beach, featuring prominent DJs such as Josh Wink, Baby Anne, , and , and establishing Ultra as an emerging platform for showcasing international EDM talent. With an estimated attendance of around 10,000, the event focused exclusively on electronic genres, highlighting , , and to capitalize on the growing U.S. interest in culture. The founding faced significant initial hurdles, including logistical difficulties in securing suitable venues amid Miami's regulatory environment for large gatherings and the challenge of scaling attendance from the hundreds at prior warehouse events to thousands for the festival format. Faibisch encountered personal setbacks, such as an arrest the night before the 1999 event on unrelated charges, which delayed preparations, while the production budget of approximately $200,000 resulted in a financial loss of $10,000 to $20,000 due to unforeseen costs and the nascent state of EDM promotion. Despite these obstacles, the event's success in attracting a diverse lineup of DJs laid the groundwork for Ultra's role in elevating EDM's visibility in Miami.

Expansion of Ultra Worldwide

Following the inaugural in 1999, Faibisch oversaw the event's relocation to in downtown in 2001, expanding it from a single-day outdoor gathering to a larger format that allowed for enhanced production and bigger crowds. This move capitalized on the venue's 32-acre space and waterfront setting, enabling the festival to grow beyond its initial constraints while aligning with 's emerging status as a hub for . The festival later expanded to a multi-day format in 2007. Attendance at the Miami flagship event surged under Faibisch's direction, starting from approximately 10,000 participants in the early 2000s and reaching a peak of 330,000 across two weekends in 2013, drawing fans from over 80 countries. By 2024, the festival maintained strong appeal with 165,000 attendees over three days at , reflecting sustained growth despite logistical challenges like weather disruptions. The 2025 edition, celebrating the 25th anniversary, attracted around 165,000 attendees over three days at . These milestones underscored Faibisch's strategic focus on scaling operations while preserving the event's core energy. In 2008, Faibisch launched Ultra Worldwide as the international arm of the brand, transforming the Miami-based festival into a global phenomenon that expanded to events in 20 countries across five continents by 2016. This rollout included key debuts such as in , in 2013, which featured multi-venue programming over a week and quickly became a cornerstone of the European EDM calendar. Similarly, Ultra Japan premiered in Tokyo's district in 2014, adapting the Ultra experience to Asia's vibrant club scene and attracting tens of thousands to its seaside stages. Faibisch continued to drive Ultra Worldwide's reach through the mid-2010s and beyond, with editions launching in regions like (e.g., Ultra Chile in 2014) and the (e.g., Ultra Abu Dhabi in 2023), culminating in active events across diverse locales up to 2025. These expansions emphasized localized adaptations, such as beachside settings in and urban festivals in , while maintaining the brand's signature high-production values and lineups featuring global headliners. By prioritizing international partnerships and fan demand, Faibisch positioned Ultra Worldwide as the most geographically extensive EDM festival network.

Innovations and additional ventures

In 2012, under the leadership of Russell Faibisch, Ultra Worldwide launched Ultra Live, a pioneering platform that brought performances to global audiences online. This initiative marked one of the early major efforts in the industry to integrate with live events, allowing fans worldwide to experience sets in real time. By 2016, Ultra Live had reached over 20 million unique viewers for streams, demonstrating its significant impact on expanding access beyond physical attendance. Since its inception, the platform has accumulated over 2.3 billion views across live streams and artist-uploaded content, underscoring Faibisch's vision for leveraging technology to globalize the Ultra brand. That same year, Faibisch oversaw the creation of UMF Radio, an audio platform dedicated to content, which quickly became a key extension of the Ultra ecosystem. Syndicated across FM radio networks, it has grown to reach listeners in over 75 countries through 128 networks, weekly programming that includes mixes, interviews, and live festival coverage to more than 22 million listeners. This venture enhanced Ultra's media presence by providing on-demand and live audio experiences, further solidifying Faibisch's role in diversifying content delivery for EDM enthusiasts. Faibisch also initiated UMF Films in 2012 through a collaboration with Amsterdam-based Final Kid, focusing on cinematic around Ultra's events and . A flagship production was the documentary "Can U Feel It," released that year, which chronicled the history and energy of through interviews with leading DJs and archival footage, offering an immersive narrative of the festival's evolution. The film premiered online and in theaters, reaching audiences in over 500 locations and highlighting Faibisch's commitment to documenting the cultural significance of electronic music events. Among other ventures, Faibisch introduced the Resistance brand in 2015 as an underground-focused extension of Ultra, emphasizing , , and experimental sounds to complement the mainstage offerings. Starting with stage programming at Ultra events, Resistance evolved into standalone global events and residencies, such as its debut in and subsequent expansions to cities like and , fostering a dedicated community for niche EDM subgenres. In 2024, in anticipation of Ultra's 25th anniversary in 2025, Faibisch greenlit a 25-episode documentary series on , featuring episodes like "Open the Gates," that revisits iconic moments, artist collaborations, and the festival's legacy through exclusive footage and interviews. These innovations have served as foundational elements in Ultra's international expansion, enabling broader digital engagement across markets.

Awards and recognition

Festival and industry accolades

Under Russell Faibisch's leadership as co-founder, Ultra Music Festival has garnered significant recognition for its excellence in events and initiatives. In 2008, the festival received the DJ Awards' accolade for Best International Festival, highlighting its early impact on the global EDM scene. This momentum continued as Ultra expanded internationally, with the festival voted the world's #1 festival by readers in 2016, 2017, and 2018 based on hundreds of thousands of votes each year, surpassing competitors like Tomorrowland. It ranked #4 in 2024 and #2 in 2025. In recent years, Faibisch's direction has emphasized environmental responsibility, earning Ultra the Sustainability Team of the Year award at the 2024 World Sustainability Awards for its "Mission: Home" program, which focuses on reducing single-use plastics, waste diversion, and community education—outperforming multinational corporations like Paramount and TELUS. In 2025, the program received the SUNsational Award in the Sustainability Program category from the Florida Festivals & Events Association.

Personal honors and rankings

Russell Faibisch has received several personal recognitions for his leadership in the (EDM) industry, particularly tied to his role in founding and expanding . In 2014, he was ranked #6 on Rolling Stone's list of the 50 Most Important People in EDM, highlighting his foundational contributions to the genre's growth through Ultra. That same year, Faibisch was included in Billboard's inaugural EDM Power Players list, which recognized key executives shaping the electronic music landscape. He appeared again on the list in 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019, underscoring his sustained influence amid Ultra's global expansions. In 2017, Magnetic Magazine named Faibisch its "Industry Person of the Year," praising his vision in building one of the world's premier independent brands.

Legacy and impact

Influence on electronic dance music

Russell Faibisch, as co-founder of Ultra Music Festival in 1999, played a pivotal role in mainstreaming (EDM) in the United States during the early 2000s, transforming the genre from an underground phenomenon into a widely accessible cultural force. Initially launched as a one-day event coinciding with the in , Ultra quickly gained traction by attracting international headliners and drawing crowds eager for high-energy performances, which helped bridge European EDM influences with American audiences. By the early 2000s, the festival had become a key platform for exposing U.S. attendees to global talent, significantly contributing to EDM's shift toward mainstream popularity. A hallmark of Faibisch's vision was Ultra's early bookings of prominent DJs such as in 2001 and in 2002, who helped elevate the event's prestige. These appearances not only showcased and subgenres but also set a standard for curation that prioritized star power and sonic diversity, drawing over 20,000 attendees by 2003 and fostering a dedicated EDM community in . Faibisch's strategic focus on such artists during this period was instrumental in popularizing EDM beyond niche clubs, influencing broader media coverage and commercial interest in the genre. The 25th anniversary of Ultra in 2025 underscored Faibisch's enduring impact, marking the festival's evolution from a niche gathering to a global cultural phenomenon that has hosted over 165,000 attendees annually and inspired similar events worldwide, accompanied by the "All Eyes On Us" 25-episode series. This milestone highlighted how Ultra's growth reflected EDM's trajectory, with Faibisch's leadership credited for sustaining its relevance through innovative programming amid the genre's . Faibisch's innovations in festival formats, particularly the pioneering of multi-stage, multi-day EDM events starting in the mid-2000s, have profoundly shaped the industry, influencing competitors like (EDC) by establishing benchmarks for immersive, large-scale productions. Ultra's expansion to three days in 2011, featuring dedicated stages for various subgenres, allowed for simultaneous performances across , , and emerging styles, creating a blueprint for modern EDM festivals that prioritize attendee choice and extended experiences. Through Ultra, Faibisch promoted a wide array of EDM subgenres, from in its early years to during the 2010s boom, fostering global artist discovery by providing breakout opportunities for talents like and on dedicated stages. This curation approach not only diversified the festival's appeal but also accelerated the cross-pollination of sounds, helping lesser-known international acts gain U.S. visibility and contributing to EDM's genre evolution.

Sustainability and community initiatives

Under the leadership of Russell Faibisch, co-founder and CEO of , the organization launched the "Mission: Home" sustainability program to address environmental impacts associated with large-scale events. Introduced in 2019 and expanded thereafter, the initiative emphasizes waste reduction by eliminating nearly 88% of single-use types, comprehensive efforts achieving a 50% diversion rate in 2024 and nearly 50 tons (100,000 pounds) in 2025, and carbon offsetting through partnerships with We Are Neutral to invest in Florida-based projects that neutralize emissions from festival operations. Post-2020, "Mission: Home" garnered significant recognition for its eco-friendly practices, including the World Sustainability Award in 2024 for advancements in waste diversion, community support, and staff training on , as well as second-place honors in and categories from the Florida Festivals and Event Symposium in 2022. The program formed key partnerships with environmental organizations such as ZAP Concepts and Futures for climate impact verification, CES Power for reducing generator reliance, Debris Free Oceans, and Clean Miami Beach to enhance on-site and off-site conservation efforts. In parallel with environmental efforts, Ultra has engaged in community outreach in since the , supporting youth programs through donations exceeding 65,000 pounds of food and supplies to organizations like Miami Rescue Mission and Lotus House Shelter since 2021, which provide resources for homeless youth, back-to-school supplies, and professional development initiatives. These efforts include annual "Making Waves" shoreline cleanups launched in 2020, which have removed over 3,000 pounds of waste in collaboration with local nonprofits, and opportunities for student volunteers and interns to participate in sustainable event production, fostering education in . During the 2019 relocation debates from to amid neighbor concerns over noise, Faibisch and Ultra organizers highlighted the festival's community benefits, including an annual economic impact of approximately $170 million for Miami-Dade County through , local support, and job creation, positioning the event as a vital cultural and economic asset.

References

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