Jointly-Developed Arena by OPG, AEG and the NBA Features First-Ever Arena Naming Rights Partnership in China and Will Be Named Mercedes-Benz Arena
SHANGHAI, Dec. 7 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- At a symbolic signing ceremony today on the banks of the Huangpu River, leading pioneer automobile brand
Mercedes-Benz became the naming rights partner of the arena currently under construction in Shanghai. The arena, which is being jointly developed by world-class culture and sports entities Oriental Pearl Group, AEG and the National Basketball Association (NBA), will be the first arena in China to have a naming rights partnership.
Mercedes-Benz Arena will be the only Mercedes-Benz named-venue outside of Germany and this ground-breaking ten-year naming rights agreement strongly reaffirms the automobile company's continuing commitment and support for the development of culture, arts and sports in China. The multi-purpose entertainment destination will officially be known as Mercedes-Benz Arena in 2011, featuring world-class events including performing arts, sports, family entertainment, and is destined to become the newest iconic landmark in China's most dynamic city of Shanghai.
Commenting on Mercedes-Benz's association with the upcoming iconic international cultural and arts exchange hub, Mr Klaus Maier, President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz (China) Ltd., said, "The new Mercedes-Benz Arena will reinforce Shanghai as culturally-rich city on the world map and create a new destination of arts and lifestyle on the international stage. This reconfirms Mercedes-Benz's continued commitment to arts and cultural development in the Chinese market."
Madam Niu Weiping, President of Shanghai Oriental Pearl (Group) Co. Ltd., said, "Mercedes-Benz is an automobile manufacturer with great vision and a strong sense of corporate social responsibility. We are delighted to work together with Mercedes-Benz and two world leaders in the entertainment and sports industry -- AEG and the NBA -- to build the new landmark of culture and lifestyle in the dynamic and influential city of Shanghai. This world-class arena will be not only the pride of Shanghai, but also the pride of China and our joint efforts will create a new benchmark in long-term cooperation and venue management in China."
Shanghai Oriental Pearl Group is one of the investors in the Mercedes-Benz Arena and one of the most influential publicly-listed corporations in China. Among its assets is the Oriental Pearl Television Tower in Shanghai which has become a symbol of surging modernization not only in Shanghai but in China as well.
Since the formation of their joint venture to develop this arena, OPG, AEG and the NBA have been working together to bring a wide variety of events including sports, live entertainment, special performances, trade shows and conventions to the Mercedes-Benz Arena.
"Mercedes-Benz is a world-renowned brand that represents luxury and innovation, and we are delighted that this state-of-the-art arena, and new landmark for Shanghai, will bear its name," said Mr. John Cappo, President & CEO, AEG China. "These modern and innovative arenas and entertainment districts we are developing with our partners will become complete lifestyle destinations and great platforms for brands and marketers to communicate directly to their target customers. We appreciate Mercedes-Benz's strong commitment to developing and supporting arts, entertainment and sports in China and are delighted to have Mercedes-Benz as our partner. Mercedes-Benz Arena is where the icon of motion will meet the icon of entertainment. This is history in the making," Cappo added.
"Mercedes-Benz Arena will truly become Shanghai's and all of China's state-of-the-art showplace for culture, arts, sports and entertainment events when this world-class arena debuts," said NBA China CEO Mr. Tim Chen. "With the help of our partners, we are certain this arena will be the premier destination for sports, entertainment and cultural events in Shanghai."
Designed by Shanghai Xian Dai Architectural Design Group, the 18,000 seat multi-purpose Mercedes-Benz Arena will light up the city as the region's most technologically-advanced venue featuring an unprecedented array of fan amenities never before seen in China that will make the guest experience second-to-none. The state-of-the-art amenities will include 82 luxury suites, VIP Clubs, delicious food and beverage options, the very best acoustics, stage-systems and lighting.
The world-class venue will host leading music and cultural events, basketball games, other sporting events and lifestyle and family shows that will feature the very best Chinese, Asian and renowned artists, teams and performers from around the world.
Aside from large-scale entertainment, the people of Shanghai will be able to enjoy Mercedes-Benz Arena on a daily basis as the venue features a
six-screen movie cineplex, a public ice skating rink, a bowling alley, a live music club and 20,000 square meters of mixed use retail space.
The arena will also feature a 1,000 square meter Mercedes-Benz retail center where visitors will experience personalized and quality service from the professional consultants as they purchase Mercedes-Benz cars and accessories and also learn more about the culture and heritage behind this timeless automotive brand.
As one of the most iconic brands in the history of automobile,
Mercedes-Benz's association with culture and music has been an indispensable element of its core values. Over the years, Mercedes-Benz has been working with premium partners -- globally and in China -- in sponsoring a wide variety of cultural events, bringing world-class performances to Chinese audience. By naming the arena along the banks of the majestic Huangpu River, Mercedes-Benz hopes to pioneer a new era in integrated arts, sports and entertainment development for the future and reinforce its long-term contribution and commitment to the thriving culture in this great city through this new landmark.
