News Releases

Cardmembers go to the Front Of The Line ® with LiveNation, Mirvish, the Corporation of Massey Hall and Roy Thomson Hall, the Stratford Shakespeare Festival, and Broadway across Canada

TORONTO, June 15, 2011 /CNW/ - After more than 20 years of bringing Cardmembers to the Front Of The Line for concerts, theatre and other entertainment events, American Express Canada announced today its 2011 line up of partnerships with Canada's top entertainment providers. The range of partnerships now in place expands American Express' entertainment offerings across music and theatre to include access to unique and extraordinary experiences.

Building on its partnership with Live Nation, American Express has extended the relationship with a multi-year deal that in addition to providing advance ticket access to Live Nation concerts, it includes sponsorship of the newly designed American Express Pavilion, at the Molson Canadian Amphitheatre. The Pavilion houses the American Express Lounge, where Cardmembers can enjoy pre and post show events and performances.

"By turning transactions into experiences, we have solidified our position as being more than just a Card," said David Barnes, VP Communications at American Express Canada. "We are committed to offering our Cardmembers unique access to the best that Canadian entertainment has to offer."

"American Express is an incredibly valuable and strategic partner for Live Nation," said John May, Senior Vice President, Network at Live Nation Canada. "Through their marketing capability and on-site activation at the Molson Canadian Amphitheatre, a new audience of concert-goers has been introduced to our venue and our shows. We look forward to continuing to provide stellar experiences in this next phase of our partnership."

Upcoming Front Of The Line concert events at the Molson Canadian Amphitheatre include Drake, Motley Crue, Journey, Ke$ha, The Black Keys and Selena Gomez, among others.

To continue to provide a variety of Front Of The Line offerings for its Cardmembers, American Express has also renewed its partnerships with the following:

• Mirvish Productions - This partnership includes reserved ticket allotments and presale opportunities for Canada's best stage productions, including Railway Children, Private Lives, Billy Elliot, Lion King, Mary Poppins and others.  "It is wonderful to be partnered with American Express, and to see how quickly Cardmembers have embraced Canadian theatre through its Front Of The Line Program," said John Karastamatis, Director of Communications, Mirvish Productions. "We are thrilled about this partnership and we look forward to bringing more premium entertainment experiences to American Express Cardmembers."
  
  
• Corporation of Massey Hall and Roy Thomson Hall - The Roy Thomson Hall VIP members lounge is now the American Express Lounge, open to Platinum and Centurion members.  At Massey Hall, Centuries Bar includes an American Express Bar for Centurion and Platinum members.  Both of these venues also have access to event presales and ongoing ticket allotments specifically for Cardmembers.
  
  
• Stratford Shakespeare Festival - This partnership provides lounge access for Platinum and Centurion Cardmembers and as well as advance and reserved ticket allotments. The Stratford Shakespeare Festival's 2011 season runs until October 30, featuring The Merry Wives of Windsor, Camelot, Twelfth Night, The Misanthrope, Jesus Christ Superstar, The Grapes of Wrath, The Homecoming, Richard III, Titus Andronicus, Shakespeare's Will, The Little Years and Hosanna.
  
  
• Broadway Across Canada - This partnership provides Cardmembers with advance ticket access and access to reserved ticket allotments to world-class theatre across the country.  Shows such as Wicked, Disney's The Lion King, Mamma Mia! and more.

About American Express in Canada

American Express in Canada operates as Amex Bank of Canada and Amex Canada Inc. Both are wholly owned subsidiaries of the New York based American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc., the largest operating unit of the American Express Company. Amex Bank of Canada is the issuer of American Express charge and credit cards, with outstanding products like the American Express(r) Gold Rewards Card, and the American Express(r) AeroplanPlus(r) Gold Card. Amex Canada Inc. operates the Corporate Travel and Travellers Cheques divisions in Canada. American Express opened its first offices in Toronto and Hamilton in 1853 and now employs 3,700 Canadians coast-to-coast.

About Front of the Line

Front of the Line is an exclusive service that lets American Express Cardmembers purchase some of the best seats in the house to some of the hottest concerts, theatre productions and events before tickets go on sale to the general public, purchase tickets from a block of great seats reserved for American Express, and provide opportunities to engage in unique and extraordinary experiences.

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