The New York Liberty and the College Board announced today a new first-time marketing partnership for the remainder of the 2012 WNBA season. The College Board is a leading education organization that provides programs and services to help students prepare for and succeed in college. The marketing partnership makes the College Board an Official Partner of the Liberty, and is the company’s first-ever partnership with a professional sports team.
As part of the multi-platform marketing partnership, the College Board will receive premier visibility at Liberty games at Prudential Center in Newark, NJ, digital integration on the team’s website NYLiberty.com, exposure on MSG Network, and will collaborate with the Liberty on community events to support the company’s mission.
“We are proud that the College Board has selected the Liberty as their first marketing partner in professional sports to help promote the importance of higher education,” said Kristin Bernert, vice president of marketing and operations, New York Liberty. “Over 90% of WNBA players are college graduates, and our players embrace the opportunity to serve as role models for their young fans. We look forward to working together with The College Board to promote this important message in-arena, online, on MSG Network and throughout the community.”
“Post-secondary education has never been more important – both for personal success and the strength of our nation’s economy. Ensuring that all students have the opportunity to earn a college degree is at the core of the College Board’s mission,” said Gaston Caperton, president of the College Board. “Partnering with the New York Liberty, a team that values the importance of higher education, is a unique opportunity to reach parents and students with information about how to prepare for and succeed in college.”
At Prudential Center, the College Board will have courtside and LED signage, branded features on the center-hung scoreboard LibertyVision, and, with a presence in the main concourse, the opportunity to educate attendees on the benefits of a higher education. In addition, the company will serve as the presenting partner of one remaining home game, receiving additional exposure throughout the game, presenting an on-court contest, and providing a co-branded giveaway to fans in attendance. On MSG Network, in addition to promotional spots the company will present the “College Board Smart Play of the Game.” The partnership will expand into the community with a number of appearances by Liberty players to join the College Board in promoting the value of education.
The Liberty is calling Prudential Center home for its 2012 season, the second of three seasons while Madison Square Garden continues its historic, top-to-bottom Transformation. Prudential Center is conveniently located 15 minutes away from The Garden by train.
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About the College Board
The College Board is a mission-driven not-for-profit organization that connects students to college success and opportunity. Founded in 1900, the College Board was created to expand access to higher education. Today, the membership association is made up of over 6,000 of the world’s leading educational institutions and is dedicated to promoting excellence and equity in education. Each year, the College Board helps more than seven million students prepare for a successful transition to college through programs and services in college readiness and college success — including the SAT® and the Advanced Placement Program®. The organization also serves the education community through research and advocacy on behalf of students, educators and schools.
About The Madison Square Garden Company
The Madison Square Garden Company is a fully-integrated sports, media and entertainment business. The Company is comprised of three business segments: MSG Sports, MSG Media and MSG Entertainment, which are strategically aligned to work together to drive the Company's overall business, which is built on a foundation of iconic venues and compelling content that the company creates, produces, presents and/or distributes through its programming networks and other media assets. MSG Sports consists of owning and operating sports franchises, including the New York Knicks (NBA), the New York Rangers (NHL), the New York Liberty (WNBA), and the Connecticut Whale (AHL). MSG Sports also features the presentation of a wide variety of live sporting events including professional boxing, college basketball, track and field and tennis. MSG Media is a leader in production and content development for multiple distribution platforms, including content originating from the Company’s venues. MSG Media consists of the MSG Networks (MSG, MSG Plus, MSG HD and MSG Plus HD) regional sports networks and the Fuse Networks (Fuse and Fuse HD), a national television network dedicated to music. MSG Entertainment is one of the country's leaders in live entertainment. MSG Entertainment creates, produces and/or presents a variety of live productions, including the Radio City Christmas Spectacular featuring the Radio City Rockettes. MSG Entertainment also presents or hosts other live entertainment events such as concerts, family shows and special events in the Company’s diverse collection of venues. These venues include Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall, the Theater at Madison Square Garden, the Beacon Theatre, the Chicago Theatre, the Forum and the Wang Theatre. More information is available at www.themadisonsquaregardencompany.com.
Media Contact:
Carly Lindauer, The College Board, 212-713-8052 communications@collegeboard.org
Stacey Escudero, Madison Square Garden, 212-465-5902