C3 Presents: “We’re in the business of putting smiles on people’s faces.”

 

Career Support

“We’re in the business of putting smiles on people’s faces.” That simple line drives everything at C3 Presents, the Austin-born company behind Austin City Limits Music Festival and Lollapalooza. Founded here in 2007, C3 creates, markets, and produces live experiences—more than 800 shows a year, plus world-famous festivals that each draw 200,000+ fans—setting a new standard for events as memorable as they are spectacular. For a Gen-Z candidate who lives for live music and culture, few missions feel this fun or this Austin.

C3 is genuinely invested in building industry pathways, which matters most for early-career talent trying to break in. The company runs annual ACL Fest Career Fairs (in partnership with Austin Community College) specifically to connect students and job seekers with real live-music careers—roughly 15–30% of attendees land a job or interview through the event. Its Austin and Chicago internships put you directly alongside music-industry professionals producing live events, and roles span production, marketing, operations, talent booking, and artist management, with clear room to grow from entry-level to senior management in the live-entertainment world.

The culture is fast-paced, collaborative, and built for people who thrive on adaptability—rolling with last-minute changes while maintaining high standards under pressure. Employees describe strong leadership, flexibility, and feeling genuinely valued day to day. C3 also leads with purpose beyond the stage: it has contributed millions to the Austin Parks Foundation and created a multi-million-dollar Lollapalooza Arts Education Fund for Chicago public schools, so the work supports communities as well as fans.

The behaviors that succeed here reflect a disruptor’s spirit: creative thinking, calculated risk-taking, organizational adaptability, and the poise to deliver flawless experiences amid complex logistics and shifting deadlines.

For candidates who want purpose-driven, high-energy work at the heart of Austin’s live-music scene—and a real pathway into the entertainment industry—C3 Presents is where passion becomes a profession.