Olympia Entertainment Posts Strong Results: Affiliated Venues Host Over 350 Events and Sell Out 92 Events in 2010

DETROIT, Jan. 27, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Olympia Entertainment, Detroit's premier marketer of sports and entertainment events, along with affiliated Ilitch-owned companies, hosted over 350 sporting and entertainment events and posted strong results in 2010.  From selling out two incredible Eminem-Jay Z Concerts at Comerica Park last summer to nearly 2.5 million fans coming out to Tigers games in 2010, to selling out the remaining 16 Detroit Red Wings regular season games for a total of 28 sellouts this season, customers are responding favorably to the company's aggressive move to package multi-venue offerings and creative promotions from across their holdings.

"In this highly competitive market, our 2010 results speak for themselves," said Tom Wilson, president and chief executive officer of Olympia Entertainment, who joined the company nearly a year ago.  "From the sellouts to an amazing 19 consecutive playoff appearances by the hometown Red Wings to the anticipation of Tigers Opening Day 2011, the future definitely looks bright for customers looking for increased quantity, quality and value in their sports and entertainment selections."

From the Red Wings to the Tigers to the Fox Theatre and beyond, Ilitch-owned brands consistently rank at the top in their respective industries.  In 2010, over 10 million guests visited Ilitch-owned venues.  This figure represents half of the 20 million people the Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors' Bureau (DMCVB) estimates visited downtown Detroit last year.  Popular venues range from the historic Fox Theatre and Sound Board at MotorCity Casino Hotel, the #1 club in Detroit according to Pollstar, to the intimate City Theatre nestled inside Hockeytown Cafe, as well as the larger Joe Louis Arena and Comerica Park.  

"Given the ups and downs in the economy in recent years, spending habits have changed and the landscape in the entertainment industry has definitely evolved," explained Wilson.  "Our customers want access and convenience, and they want to know they are getting maximum value for every dollar they spend.  Our objective is to respond to the market as quickly and creatively as possible.  Given the breadth and depth of our organization and the variety of venues we manage and book, we can provide customers, sponsors and other business partners memorable sporting and entertainment experiences, complete with top-notch customer service and first-class amenities, at a value we know they'll appreciate.

"Our niche at Olympia Entertainment is our ability to create value for our customers by bringing together the myriad of unique offerings from the Red Wings, Fox Theatre, Tigers, Joe Louis Arena and Comerica Park," explained Wilson.  "Whether you're attending live theater, sporting events, family shows, concerts, or you're a corporate client trying to maximize your budget across all these platforms through multi-venue suite offers or sponsorships, we are making it easy, enjoyable, and economical to do business with us."

To deliver on this promise and continue to grow the business, Wilson also announced that the business operations of Olympia Entertainment and the business operations of the Detroit Red Wings will be streamlined to enable the organization to improve sales and marketing collaboration and customer service.  Reporting directly to Wilson will be:  

• Robert Carr, senior vice president of Operations & Legal Affairs
• John Ciszewski, senior vice president of Sales
• Keith Dowdican, vice president of Finance – Olympia Entertainment
• Craig Turnbull, senior vice president of Marketing & Communications
• Paul MacDonald, vice president of Finance – Detroit Red Wings

"In making these moves, we immediately increase our speed to market and ability to provide more unique and innovative offerings. Couple this with the expertise and vision of this leadership group and the outstanding team of employees we have interfacing with customers on a daily basis, and we expect even stronger results in the future.  Our mission at Olympia Entertainment is simple: deliver memorable sports and entertainment experiences at a great value for our guests."

To learn more about Olympia Entertainment, visit http://www.olympiaentertainment.com.

Olympia Entertainment, a Detroit-based company owned by entrepreneurs Michael and Marian Ilitch, is one of the country's most diverse sports and entertainment companies and the largest organization of its kind in the mid-west.  The company owns and operates Detroit's Fox Theatre, the intimate City Theatre, and also books and operates Joe Louis Arena, "The Legendary" Cobo Arena, and books Comerica Park.  Olympia Entertainment also handles business operations for the Detroit Red Wings, an Original Six member of the National Hockey League and collaborates with the Detroit Tigers baseball franchise and other Ilitch companies.  

Other Ilitch companies include:  Little Caesars Pizza, Ilitch Holdings, Inc., Blue Line Foodservice Distribution, Champion Foods, the Detroit Red Wings, Little Caesar Pizza Kits Fundraising Program, Olympia Development and Uptown Entertainment. Additionally, Michael Ilitch owns the Detroit Tigers, Inc., and Marian Ilitch owns MotorCity Casino Hotel.

SOURCE Olympia Entertainment