Mercedes-Benz Extends Naming Rights Partnership For Mercedes-Benz Arena In Shanghai

Leading premium auto brand confirms its name to remain on AEG-operated arena in Shanghai, China, through 2025

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Dec 30, 2016, 09:00 ET

SHANGHAI, Dec. 30, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Premium German automaker brand Mercedes-Benz has extended its partnership with AEG and Oriental Pearl Group (OPG) for the naming rights of Mercedes-Benz Arena in Shanghai until 2025 – an additional five years beyond the existing 10-year naming rights deal negotiated by arena operator AEG, which commenced in 2011. The naming rights extension marks a strong testament to a successful partnership and sustainable cooperation of leading brands.

AEG's Mercedes-Benz Arena in Shanghai, China

Further adding to the significance of the partnership announcement, in the evening of December 30^th Mercedes-Benz Arena presented singer/diva Faye Wong's long awaited return to the stage since she was the first to perform the venue when it opened six years ago.

"Mercedes-Benz commenced the naming rights partnership for Mercedes-Benz Arena in Shanghai in 2011. For six years, Mercedes-Benz Arena has connected our consumers and presented them a state-of-the-art venue that is a landmark in both Shanghai and Asia, along with outstanding world-class entertainment and performances. This naming rights extension of Mercedes-Benz Arena will continue to bring prominent returns and splendor both to our brand and consumers," said Duan Jianjun, EVP of Mercedes-Benz in China.

Mercedes-Benz' extended partnership with the multi-purpose venue was negotiated by AEG Global Partnerships, an affiliate of AEG that collaborates with more than 120 venues and other AEG assets worldwide. "Today's announcement is yet another significant moment in the development of China's booming entertainment industry," said Todd Goldstein, Chief Revenue Officer, AEG. "Since the arena's grand opening, together with Mercedes-Benz, we have created China's most important arena to present the finest in international sports and entertainment programming. While establishing itself as Asia's top, must-play venue, Mercedes-Benz Arena has been responsible for attracting some of China's most popular artists as well as a slate of the top international performers to the region."

"We are very pleased to have this unique opportunity to expand our relationship with Mercedes-Benz," said Adam Wilkes, President and CEO, AEG Asia. "Our close collaboration with Mercedes-Benz has been an outstanding success for what has evolved China's premier venue as well as Asia's top sports and entertainment destination," Wilkes continued.

In partnership with the Oriental Pearl Group (OPG), AEG was instrumental in the design, development and commercialization of the 18,000-seat multipurpose venue originally built for the 2010 Shanghai World Expo, and commercial operations fully commenced with the Mercedes-Benz brand on the building in 2011.

"Over the past six years, Mercedes-Benz Arena has managed to integrate some of the world's most advanced resources to redefine the live entertainment and service experience for the Chinese audiences, continuously setting new industry benchmarks in China as well as in Asia," said Huang Jin, Vice President of Culture, Entertainment & Tourism Business, Oriental Pearl Group (OPG).

In 2016 alone, Mercedes-Benz Arena in Shanghai welcomed more than 900,000 guests while presenting 273 ticketed events, thereby making it Asia's No. 1 sports and entertainment venue. As a destination of choice for international and domestic A-list performers alike, recent tours include artists like Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, Rolling Stones and Taylor Swift alongside China's top performers Jacky Cheung, Eason Chan, Jay Chou and Faye Wong, drawing fans in the millions to gather at the landmark arena in Shanghai.

Since its inception, Shanghai's Mercedes-Benz Arena has set itself apart through its industry-changing design, operations, programming and array of amenities that put the guests first. AEG, OPG and Mercedes-Benz, together with the venue's founding partners, have continued to deliver the most entertaining and engaging fan experiences in one of the world's leading arenas.

About AEG:

Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, AEG is the world's leading sports and live entertainment company, with offices on five continents, operating in several business segments.

AEG Facilities, which is affiliated with, owns, manages or consults with more than 120 preeminent arenas, stadiums, theaters, clubs and convention centers around the world, with landmark venues including The O2 Arena (London), STAPLES Center (Los Angeles), T-Mobile Arena (Las Vegas) and Mercedes-Benz Arena (Shanghai and Berlin); AEG Live, which is dedicated to all aspects of live contemporary music performances, including producing and promoting global and regional concert tours, music and special events and world-renowned festivals; The current and recent concert tour roster includes artists such as Bruno Mars, Jennifer Lopez, Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, Rolling Stones, Taylor Swift and Metallica.

AEG Real Estate, which develops world-class venues, as well as major sports and entertainment districts like L.A. LIVE; AEG Sports, the world's largest operator of sports franchises and high-profile sporting events; and AEG Global Partnerships, which oversees worldwide sales and servicing of sponsorships including naming rights, premium seating and other strategic partnerships. Through its worldwide network of venues, portfolio of powerful sports and music brands, AXS.com ticketing platform, AXS cable television channel and its integrated entertainment districts, AEG entertains more than 100 million guests annually.

AEG China combines outstanding venue management with strong sales, marketing and live events promotion to become the leading sports and entertainment provider in China. Under the AEG China umbrella are the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Shanghai, the LeSports Center in Beijing, and the Damai Center in Dalian, three of the country's most important venues. AEG also provides design and construction advice to numerous cities in China who are in the process of building arenas, which shall become part of the AEG network in the country.

More information about AEG can be found at www.aegworldwide.com

About OPG – Oriental Pearl Group

OPG is listed among the "Top 50 Large-scale Enterprises" by the Shanghai Municipal Government and "Top 50 Public Companies with the Most Development Potential in Mainland China." OPG's brand is also recognized as a Chinese Classic Brand by the State Administration for Industry & Commerce. The Shanghai Oriental Pearl Radio & TV Tower owned by OPG is a famous landmark that symbolizes the modernization of Shanghai and China. It is a window for communication with the outside world, a link for cultural interchange, and a symbol of China's policies of reform and opening up. In addition, OPG has exclusive rights for radio and television broadcasting and data transmission throughout the whole Shanghai area. Based on this unique advantage, OPG has expanded its new media businesses by building new media platforms for buses, taxis, buildings, subways and mobile phones. The company also actively invests in high quality cable television networks inside and outside Shanghai in order to achieve its goal of becoming a comprehensive inter-regional cable network operator. OPG is taking steps to become a powerful and influential large-scale cultural enterprise group by constantly improving its image in the capital market as a high quality listed company trusted by the public.

About Mercedes-Benz Arena

Mercedes-Benz Arena is Shanghai's premier live entertainment venue and the centerpiece of a mixed use entertainment complex. With 18,000 seats, 82 luxury suites, various clubs and meeting rooms the Mercedes-Benz Arena offers state-of-the-art technology and amenities for staging the biggest and most popular events in China. The entertainment complex includes a 700 seat theater, public ice skating rink, a six screen cinema, and 20,000 square meters of retail space featuring a variety of shops and restaurants.

The Mercedes-Benz Arena, Shanghai is operated by AEG China in partnership with OPG and defines world-class management – delivering unprecedented entertainment and customer service which exceeds the expectations of artists, sponsors, guests and business partners. The Mercedes-Benz Arena is also host to national and international events including Hong Kong, Taiwanese, Western, and Mainland stature. These internationally known performers include The Rolling Stones, Taylor Swift, Katy Perry, Bruno Mars, Justin Bieber, Metallica, J Lo, Usher, NBA Global Game China, Fist of Power Boxing Game, BigBang, EXO, Jacky Cheung, Faye Wang, Eason Chan, Jay Chou, Jonathan Lee, Jolin Tsai and more. The Mercedes-Benz Arena hosts over 270 events and 900,000 attendances, with 4.8 million visitors annually presenting events ranging from professional sports, live music, family shows, boxing and special events.