NEW YORK, Jan. 18, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Madison Square Garden Company (Nasdaq:MSG) and Chase (NYSE:JPM) today announced they have expanded their marketing partnership, making Chase the "Official Card" of MSG and providing Chase credit and debit cardmembers with exclusive access to events and experiences across MSG's venues and sports and entertainment franchises. The long-term marketing partnership naming JPMorgan Chase as MSG's first-ever Marquee Partner was announced in September 2010, making JPMorgan Chase the preeminent multi-platform, multi-venue, multi-media partner of MSG.
Chase cardmembers will now have exclusive presale and preferred seating access to tickets for more than a thousand live entertainment and sports events at MSG's New York and Chicago venues annually, including the New York Knicks, New York Rangers, top name artists and performers and a variety of family shows. In addition, Chase will offer cardmembers with Ultimate Rewards access to unique, behind-the-scenes experiences and one-of-a-kind, "can't buy" opportunities. Chase Ultimate Rewards is an industry-leading rewards program that offers virtually limitless opportunities to earn and redeem rewards without earnings caps, airfare blackout dates or points expiration.
Some of the experiences and invitation only opportunities include:
- Knicks and Rangers Fantasy Camps & Clinics: Athletes of all ages can develop their game during a fun, interactive day that includes skill sessions, scrimmages and special guest appearances.
- Knicks and Rangers Locker Room Meet & Greets: A chance to enjoy a game and join the post-game celebration with the opportunity to interact with players in their locker room.
- Knicks Ball Kids and Rangers Stick Kids: Knicks Ball Kids participate with players during pre-game warm-ups, sit next to the bench during the game and will be introduced center court. Rangers Stick Kids will be introduced on Gardenvision and get an up-close view of the ice and players before the game.
- Behind the Scenes Access/Artist Meet & Greets: Opportunities to have unprecedented access and meet various artists across MSG's entertainment venues, including artist meet & greets during pre-show rehearsals, dedicated Radio City Christmas Spectacular shows, pre-show meet & greets with the Radio City Rockettes and character appearances from MSG's family shows.
Cardmembers with Ultimate Rewards may access these experiences via Chase Customer Service or at www.chase.com/msg, a comprehensive website that features content, special ticket access and unique offers across MSG properties and venues that are available exclusively for Chase cardmembers.
In addition, Chase cardmembers will receive a variety of special offers and benefits for using their cards at MSG venues and when purchasing Knicks and Rangers individual and season tickets, including discounts on merchandise and exclusive gifts with purchase. For example, purchasing Knicks or Rangers tickets with a Chase card will qualify cardmembers for a concession voucher.
"JPMorgan Chase has been a longstanding partner of The Madison Square Garden Company, beginning with the first Madison Square Garden in 1879 to becoming the Marquee Partner in 2010. We are excited to expand our partnership further to offer Chase customers even more unique, exclusive benefits," said Scott O'Neil, president, MSG Sports. "The best way to get access to tickets to see the top artists and sporting events in New York and Chicago, and the only way to experience incredible money-can't-buy, behind-the-scenes experiences, is to be a Chase cardmember."
"We are thrilled to expand our partnership with The Madison Square Garden Company," said Steve Pamon, Head of Sports & Entertainment Marketing, Chase. "The inside access to world-class venues and entertainment is amazing and enables Chase to offer cardmembers even more access to unique experiences that may otherwise seem unattainable."
As the Marquee Partner of MSG, Chase receives an unparalleled level of access for its customers and premier brand exposure across MSG's properties and brands. The multi-platform partnership is fully integrated across MSG's sports, entertainment and media properties, and includes MSG's iconic venues (Madison Square Garden, Theater at Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall, Beacon Theatre, The Chicago Theatre), entertainment brands and events (Radio City Christmas Spectacular), professional sports teams (New York Knicks, New York Rangers, New York Liberty), regional television networks (MSG, MSG Plus), and digital platforms.
A central part of the relationship is Chase's integration in Madison Square Garden Arena's historic three-year, top-to-bottom Transformation, including several of the building's new signature elements. The new Seventh Avenue entrance to the building will become Chase Square at Madison Square Garden and feature interactive kiosks, new retail locations and a broadcast area. Inside the Arena, the two spectacular new Chase Bridges will be suspended above the floor offering a one-of-a-kind view of the action. The 1879 Club presented by J.P. Morgan, an exclusive space for event attendees with a casual and intimate environment to relax before or after an event, opened as part of the first phase of the Transformation this season. The Madison Square Garden Transformation will provide an enhanced experience for fans, athletes, entertainers, partners and suite holders from the first row to the last, and is being funded entirely by MSG.
About The Madison Square Garden Company
The Madison Square Garden Company is a fully-integrated sports, media and entertainment business. The company is comprised of three business segments: MSG Sports, MSG Media and MSG Entertainment, which are strategically aligned to work together to drive the company's overall business, which is built on a foundation of iconic venues and compelling content that the company creates, produces, presents and/or distributes through its programming networks and other media assets. MSG Sports consists of owning and operating sports franchises, including the New York Knicks (NBA), the New York Rangers (NHL), the New York Liberty (WNBA), and the Connecticut Whale (AHL). MSG Sports also features the presentation of a wide variety of live sporting events including professional boxing, college basketball, track and field and tennis, as well as MSG Action Sports, an action sports and lifestyle division. MSG Media is a leader in production and content development for multiple distribution platforms, including content originating from MSG's venues. MSG Media consists of the MSG Networks (MSG, MSG Plus, MSG HD and MSG Plus HD) regional sports networks and the Fuse Networks (Fuse and Fuse HD), a national television network dedicated to music. MSG Entertainment is one of the country's leaders in live entertainment. MSG Entertainment creates, produces and/or presents a variety of live productions, including the Radio City Christmas Spectacular featuring the Radio City Rockettes. MSG Entertainment also presents or hosts other live entertainment events such as concerts, family shows and special events in MSG's diverse collection of venues. These venues include Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall, the Theater at Madison Square Garden, the Beacon Theatre, the Chicago Theatre and the Wang Theatre. More information is available at www.themadisonsquaregardencompany.com.
The Madison Square Garden Company logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=7079
About Chase
Chase is the U.S. consumer and commercial banking business of JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM), a leading global financial services firm with assets of $2.3 trillion and operations in more than 60 countries. Chase serves consumers and small businesses through 5,200 bank branches, 16,200 ATMs, mortgage offices, and online and mobile banking as well as through relationships with auto dealerships and schools and universities. Chase also has issued more than 90 million credit cards. More information about Chase is available at www.chase.com.