Working Wonders: Mark Jan Kar, the Coca Cola Arena boss who brings the world's biggest stars to Dubai – in pictures

Mark Jan Kar is the general manager of Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai and brings some of the biggest superstars to the emirate. All photos: Antonie Robertson / The National
Mark Jan Kar is the general manager of Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai and brings some of the biggest superstars to the emirate. All photos: Antonie Robertson / The National
Mr Jan Kar balances his professional role steering major live performances at the City Wal venue with family life as a father of two.
Mr Jan Kar balances his professional role steering major live performances at the City Wal venue with family life as a father of two.
Around 40 per cent of Mr Jan Kan's role is programming, but he also deals with global contracts
Around 40 per cent of Mr Jan Kan's role is programming, but he also deals with global contracts
Mr Jan Kan says he'd love to get Metallica to play the arena, as well as big hip hop acts and a country artist
Mr Jan Kan says he'd love to get Metallica to play the arena, as well as big hip hop acts and a country artist
Mr Jan Kan describes his role as being similar to a football manager because he needs to identify key talents and to lead by example
Mr Jan Kan describes his role as being similar to a football manager because he needs to identify key talents and to lead by example
Once the shows are over and patrons have left the venue is when Mr Jan Kan calls them a success
Once the shows are over and patrons have left the venue is when Mr Jan Kan calls them a success
Mr Jan Kan says that because the UAE has multiple nationalities the venue is not restricted to two or three concert genres
Mr Jan Kan says that because the UAE has multiple nationalities the venue is not restricted to two or three concert genres
While the entertainment industry can seem glamorous, Mr Jan Kan says he only gets a few seconds with the artist because they are there to perform
While the entertainment industry can seem glamorous, Mr Jan Kan says he only gets a few seconds with the artist because they are there to perform
Mr Jan Kan's role also involves negotiating fees with artists to ensure the shows are commercially viable
Mr Jan Kan's role also involves negotiating fees with artists to ensure the shows are commercially viable
The average entry ticket point at the Coca-Cola Arena is Dh199, which Mr Jan Kan says is his 'magic number'
The average entry ticket point at the Coca-Cola Arena is Dh199, which Mr Jan Kan says is his 'magic number'
Mr Jan Kan and his team work with Dubai's tourism board and the Roads and Transport Authority
Mr Jan Kan and his team work with Dubai's tourism board and the Roads and Transport Authority