Kimmel Center, Inc. and Citi Announce a 5-year Strategic Partnership to Support the Performing Arts in Philadelphia
June 18, 2007
Through the partnership, Citi will be the presenting sponsor for the next five performance seasons of the Kimmel Center Presents and Cadillac Broadway Series and have extensive logo placement throughout the Kimmel Center and on its marketing material, including print and web content. Citi and the Kimmel Center will also explore joint marketing activities, which will support Citi's growth efforts in Philadelphia and allow the Kimmel Center to broaden its reach. In addition, the partnership will provide benefits to clients of all of Citi's businesses, including Citi Cards through its designation as the preferred and official credit card for the Kimmel Center's own programs.
"The arts positively impact communities and people throughout Pennsylvania," said Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell, who has made support of the arts part of his economic development and community revitalization initiatives. "This partnership between the Kimmel Center and Citi, two world-class organizations, increases the visibility of our state and its cultural assets."
"The Kimmel Center represents the best of Philadelphia's dynamic arts and culture scene," said Philadelphia Mayor John F. Street. "This partnership reinforces Philadelphia's position as a world-class city of growth and opportunity. I am pleased the Kimmel Center and Citi have made such a strong commitment to the Philadelphia region."
"The Kimmel Center has made a significant mark in this region, contributing more than $407million in economic impact since it was opened in 2001, and I can think of no better way to continue to establish the importance of the Center in this community than through this long-term partnership with Citi," said Kimmel Center Chairman William P. Hankowsky. "With this partnership with Citi, Kimmel Center continues to become an institution of prime importance on the Avenue of the Arts and we look forward to a long and fruitful relationship."
"Citi’s five-year commitment to the Kimmel Center is significant for its support of the arts in the region as well as its commitment to the community," said Kimmel Center COO and Acting CEO Natalye Paquin. "More than 1million people attend events at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts and the Academy of Music each year. This partnership with Citi helps to ensure the Kimmel Center continues to present its vibrant and diverse line-up of world-class performers for many years to come."
Steven J. Freiberg, Chairman and CEO of Citi’s Global Consumer Group, North America, said: "The Kimmel Center provides a great platform to demonstrate our commitment to the community and the arts as we expand our presence in the great city of Philadelphia and the region."
"Citi is thrilled to support an institution as diverse and vital to our community as the Kimmel Center," said William Brown, Citi Market Leader for Philadelphia. "In addition to enhancing quality of life, we believe the arts play a major role in developing and strengthening the fabric of communities. This is just one way that we are demonstrating our commitment to making communities better where we work and live."
Citi has more than a million clients in the Philadelphia area through its businesses, which include Citi Cards, Smith Barney, CitiMortgage and CitiFinancial. Citibank last year opened its first retail branch in the area; today it has five Financial Centers in the Greater Philadelphia region. Citi’s new Financial Centers in Philadelphia include the wealth management services of Smith Barney’s Financial Advisors, offering clients two of the strongest names in financial services in one location.
Kimmel Center, Inc., a charitable, not-for-profit organization, owns, manages, supports and maintains the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, which includes Verizon Hall, Perelman Theater, Innovation Studio and the Merck Arts Education Center. Kimmel Center, Inc. also manages the Academy of Music, owned by the Philadelphia Orchestra Association. The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts and the Academy of Music serve as home to eight Resident Company performing arts organizations, including The Philadelphia Orchestra, Opera Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Ballet, Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, American Theater Arts for Youth, PHILADANCO, Philadelphia Chamber Music Society and Peter Nero and the Philly Pops®. Kimmel Center, Inc.’s mission also includes arts in education, community outreach and a rich diversity of programming through its Kimmel Center Presents and Cadillac Broadway Series of performances.
Citi, the leading global financial services company, has some 200 million customer accounts and does business in more than 100 countries, providing consumers, corporations, governments and institutions with a broad range of financial products and services, including consumer banking and credit, corporate and investment banking, securities brokerage, and wealth management. Citi’s major brand names include Citibank, CitiFinancial, Primerica, Citi Smith Barney and Banamex. Additional information may be found at www.citigroup.com or www.citi.com.
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