New York (Top40 Charts/ Pernod Ricard USA) - Today, ABSOLUT VODKA, the world's most iconic vodka, announces a creative collaboration with Madison
Square Garden that will offer music fans an unparalleled series of high-profile concerts at the iconic venue. Showcasing performances ranging from rock-and-roll heavyweights to country crooners, these two legendary brands will work together to bring music lovers of all kinds the ultimate concert experience as only The Garden can offer. To kick off the series, ABSOLUT and Madison
Square Garden will host a once-in-a-lifetime benefit show featuring hip-hop impresario JAY-Z on
September 11, 2009, to aid the New York
Police & Fire Widows' & Children's Benefit Fund (www.answerthecall.org). The highly-anticipated performance will air live and commercial-free on Fuse TV at 9pm.
The events of September 11 challenged JAY-Z as an entertainer and a New Yorker. This charity concert serves as not just a reminder of the lives lost but as a look towards the future and the hope that arose on September 12. "This charity and concert encompass the true spirit of New York City," commented Shawn "JAY-Z" Carter. "We are asking everyone to 'answer the call' and support and honor the families of those that lost their lives in the line of duty. There is a true camaraderie and resiliency this city showed the world in 2001 and we continue that today by taking care of our own."
"On behalf of The New York Police & Fire Widows' & Children's Benefit Fund's Board of Directors and the families of our fallen heroes, we are truly grateful for JAY-Z's choice to support our charity and "answering the call," said Stephen J. Dannhauser, President and CEO of the New York Police & Fire Widows' & Children's Benefit Fund.
For this live event, 100 percent of the proceeds from ticket sales and concert merchandise will go directly to "New York Police & Fire Widows' & Children's Benefit Fund." Since its inception, New York Police & Fire Widow's & Children's Benefit Fund has distributed over $114 million to the families of New York City police and fire personnel who have lost their lives in the line of duty. Though the Benefit Fund was initially created to assist families of New York City Fire Fighters and Police Officers, the non-profit now includes the families of Emergency Medical Services and Port Authority Officers as well. For more information on the organization, go to www.answerthecall.org
The on-sale date and method of purchase for tickets to the concert will be announced shortly. After the announcement, Citi card members will have access to presale tickets through Citi's Private Pass program. For complete presale details visit: www.citiprivatepass.com and for more information on programming surrounding this event, go to www.fuse.tv/jay-z.
"Madison Square Garden is an iconic venue known world-wide for presenting premier concert events year after year. ABSOLUT has a history of supporting the creative visions of artists in every genre. In celebration of ABSOLUT's ongoing partnership with musical visionaries, this collaboration with Madison Square Garden seems natural. Performing at MSG is certainly a defining moment in many artists' careers and we recognize MSG as a creative force in entertainment," said Tim Murphy, Vice President of Marketing, Pernod Ricard USA. "JAY-Z's concert will be a great kick-off and a sensational experience for our consumers and concert goers."
As part of the ABSOLUT Concert Series at MSG, concert goers can expect to see not only the biggest names in music today, but also the most diverse line-up of performers. Ranging from rock to country to hip-hop and pop, the ABSOLUT Concert Series at MSG will appeal to all music fans while offering them a premium, heightened experience at every show. Many of the greatest moments in music have been made on stage at Madison Square Garden and we anticipate many more to be made during this world-class Concert Series. Artists with upcoming performances at The Garden include Bruce Springsteen, Metallica, and Pink.
"Madison Square Garden is committed to providing the highest quality of entertainment to our patrons and we are thrilled to work with such an iconic brand, ABSOLUT, to bring the best in music entertainment to concert-goers," says Lew Sherr, SVP Marketing Partnerships, MSG Entertainment. "We are proud of our storied history in music performers and look forward to launching our relationship with ABSOLUT as we bring a pre-eminent roster of performers to our venue. Together, MSG and ABSOLUT will create unforgettable music experiences at the World's Most Famous Arena."
For more information about ABSOLUT, please visit www.absolut.com.
For more information about the Benefit Fund, please visit https://answerthecall.org
