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Tickets for the All-Star Concert in Central Park presented by Bank of America available at Yankee Stadium, other NY-area Ballparks, MLB.com on July 2nd

Launches new MLB banking promotion to heighten fan excitement

Bank of America, the New York Yankees and Major League Baseball will rock New York as part of the festivities surrounding the 79th MLB All-Star Game by creating opportunities for fans to enjoy world-class entertainment and other unique and interactive programs that celebrate America’s national pastime.

“The All-Star Game is an electrifying celebration of Major League Baseball, and truly a unique event for the entire family,” said Anne Finucane, Chief Marketing Officer, Bank of America. “As the official bank of Major League Baseball and the New York Yankees, Bank of America is thrilled to be part of New York’s Midsummer Classic festivities, creating national and local opportunities for fans to connect with the game of baseball and share in the excitement of the All-Star Game experience.”

In the time period leading up to and during All-Star Week, Bank of America is working closely with MLB to support a variety of activities to engage fans, delight customers and support the New York community. Among them:

MLB All-Star Concert in Central Park with Bon Jovi presented by Bank of America

Bank of America, Major League Baseball and Bon Jovi are joining forces with New York City to host a free concert on the Great Lawn in Central Park in celebration of MLB’s All-Star Summer in New York City on Saturday, July 12th at 8 p.m. Bank of America is the presenting sponsor of the free concert by Bon Jovi, the Grammy-winning band whose current Lost Highway World Tour is the top-selling tour in the world. The historic concert will be the first of this magnitude held on the Great Lawn in five years.

“Major League Baseball wants All-Star Summer to be the ultimate celebration for baseball fans in New York City,” said Tim Brosnan, Executive Vice President, Business, Major League Baseball. “A free concert in Central Park featuring one of the biggest rock bands in the world will reach tens of thousands of fans and put an exclamation point on the week’s many fan festivities. Bank of America has been a critical part of making this major event in New York City happen and we value our partnership.”

Beginning Wednesday, July 2nd, tickets will be distributed at baseball parks and events throughout New York City. The bulk of tickets distributed at the ballparks will be found at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, with others made available at Shea Stadium in Queens, KeySpan Park in Brooklyn, and at the home of the Staten Island Yankees. A ticket is required to attend the concert, which will be a first come, first serve event. Visit MLB.com for more information.

The Major League Baseball All-Star Concert featuring Bon Jovi presented by Bank of America will follow in the great tradition of Central Park’s free concerts, which have drawn millions of people to witness performances by artists such as Placido Domingo, Simon & Garfunkel, Barbara Streisand, Elton John, Luciano Pavarotti and Garth Brooks.

DHL All-Star FanFest Giveaway for MLB Banking Customers

Bank of America is supporting a month-long promotion, offering two tickets to a special evening at the DHL All-Star FanFest(R) for customers who open up both an MLB(R) checking account and credit card at one of 65 New York Metro banking centers through July 12*. The exclusive event on July 14 will be hosted by Bank of America and MasterCard, also an official sponsor of Major League Baseball, and will be an interactive and entertaining experience featuring Yankees legends and former MLB All-Star players, and hosted by Fox Sport’s Chris Myers.

“Our sponsorship of the MLB All-Star Summer is an extension of our longstanding support for America’s national pastime, and we’re proud to create opportunities for fans to share their passion for baseball through their everyday transactions,” said Susan Faulkner, Deposits and Student Lending Executive, Bank of America. “Through MLB banking, our customers can create a personalized banking experience that brings them closer to the sport they love.”

The Bank of America All-Star Game promotion will be supported by print, radio, online and point-of-sale advertising, as well as a new MLB-themed television commercial.

MLB banking is an exclusive new line of personal banking products for fans of all 30 Major League Baseball Clubs. MLB banking is the only nationwide portfolio of Club-specific checks, MasterCard(R) check cards and credit cards that are complemented by special rewards for Major League Baseball fans. Fans can visit http://www.bankofamerica.com/allstar for a list of participating banking centers or to learn more about the many benefits associated with MLB banking.

Bank of America Supports Future All-Stars

In demonstration of its continued commitment to promoting baseball at all levels, Bank of America is teaming up with Major League Baseball and Little League Baseball to dedicate newly renovated fields in the Castle Hill section of New York City during All-Star Week. The field renovations are part of the Little League Baseball Urban Initiative whose mission is to grow youth participation in the game in America’s cities. Since 2004, Bank of America has contributed $700,000 to the Urban Initiative, helping to refurbish and build baseball fields in metropolitan cities across the United States. The newly renovated field in New York will benefit many young people and volunteers from the Castle Hill Little League organization.

“Little League Baseball, Major League Baseball and Bank of America all share a strong commitment to growing the game of baseball within our local communities,” said Charles Greenstein, Baseball Platform executive, Bank of America. “As the official bank of Little League Baseball, we recognize the impact of the Urban Initiative, and the opportunities it creates for young people to experience baseball in metropolitan neighborhoods all across the country.”

Bank of America is recognized as a leading financial partner, advisor and sponsor of baseball, proudly supporting national sponsorship agreements with the four leading organizations that represent America’s National Pastime — Major League Baseball(R), Minor League Baseball(TM), Little League Baseball and Softball(R) and the National Baseball Hall of Fame(R). Bank of America’s deep-rooted support for baseball also includes sponsorships with 12 Major League Baseball Clubs, including the Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Florida Marlins, Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, Oakland Athletics, San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants and St. Louis Cardinals.

Source: Bank of America

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is pleased to announce that Gregory S. Harris has joined the Museum’s staff to lead the nonprofit institution’s development office. Harris is responsible for key Museum initiatives, including the $35 million Campaign to Support the Rock Hall. He will also work closely with Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum President and CEO Terry Stewart, the Rock Hall’s Board of Trustees, the city of Cleveland, the Cuyahoga County Commissioners and other business and community leaders to plan for the 2009 Induction Ceremony’s return to Cleveland.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum Announces New Vice President of Development

“We’ve outlined a long-term vision to ensure that Cleveland continues to be known across the globe as the Rock and Roll Capital of the World,” said Stewart. “I’ve known Greg for a number of years and have been actively recruiting him both for his professional acumen as well as his love and knowledge of the art form we call rock and roll that the Museum celebrates. As such, I’m looking forward to working with Greg to continue to make our vision a reality. He has experience building similar programs and will be a great addition to our team.”

Harris was previously Vice President of Development at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown and had been with that organization since 1994. In that time, he initiated programs that both sustained and drove the Museum’s growth. These programs included government relations, corporate sponsorship, major gift/endowment campaign and an annual fund. Prior to his association with baseball, Harris was the co-founder of a retail music store that specialized in independent and rare recordings and has served as the road manager for a national touring band.

“It is an honor to be entrusted with a leadership role at an institution that is dedicated to preserving, presenting and celebrating another great hallmark of American culture — rock and roll,” said Harris. “I am very proud of what our team in Cooperstown has accomplished and I am honored to join the talented staff in Cleveland at this important time. The internationally recognized Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is the home of the artifacts and exhibits that shape and celebrate the music of our lives. I’ve greatly enjoyed my tenure at the Baseball Hall of Fame. It is a wonderful institution. Joining the team in Cleveland allows me to reconnect with my passion for popular music. In addition, I look forward to becoming an active member of the Cleveland community.”

Jeff Idelson, the Baseball Hall of Fame President noted that “Greg has been an integral member of the Baseball Hall of Fame staff for the last 14 years and has been an active participant in the Cooperstown community. After starting in our library in 1994 in the broadcast archive department, Greg served as membership director and then development director, before being promoted to vice president of development in 2005. In that capacity he greatly developed donor support. We’re sorry to see him leave and are confident he’ll contribute greatly to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.”

Harris is responsible for planning and administering the strategic direction of the Rock Hall’s fundraising programs and activities including the Capital Campaign, the Annual Fund, major gifts, cultivation events, research and grant writing and membership. He also oversees all aspects of donor relations and stewardship.

Greg has a Master’s degree in history and museum studies from the Cooperstown Graduate Program, and Bachelor’s degree in American history from Temple University. He is married and has two children.

About the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is the nonprofit organization that exists to educate visitors, fans and scholars from around the world about the history and continuing significance of rock and roll music. It carries out this mission both through its operation of a world-class museum that collects, preserves, exhibits and interprets this art form and through its library and archives as well as its educational programs.

The Museum is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. On Wednesdays, the Museum is open until 9 p.m. Museum admission is $22 for adults, $17 for seniors (65+), $13 for youth (9-12), $18 for adult residents of Greater Cleveland. Children under 8 and Museum members are free. The Museum is generously funded by Cuyahoga County residents through Cuyahoga Arts and Culture. When you become a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, the world of rock and roll becomes yours to explore. Call 216.515.1939 for information on becoming a member. For general inquiries, please call 216.781.ROCK or visit www.rockhall.com.

Source: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum

Web site: http://www.rockhall.com/

Volkswagen Provides Iconic VW Bus For Fundraising Contest

Volkswagen is giving consumers the opportunity to get their hands on legendary rock band The Who’s Magic Bus - a unique Volkswagen Microbus T1 Panel Van from 1965, signed by Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend and specially branded with iconic images of the band and their famous target logo. The competition, in aid of Daltrey’s charity Teenage Cancer Trust, closes on July 8, 2008.

The Who Magic Bus

The iconic Volkswagen Bus, provided by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, has been specially designed by The Who’s art director Richard Evans, who has been working with the band for more than 30 years and has created several memorable album covers as well as tour designs.

“Our thanks go to Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles for providing this vehicle and to The Who for supporting the competition,” said Simon Davies, Chief Executive of Teenage Cancer Trust. “Let’s hope this really will turn out to be a ‘Magic Bus’, and help make a difference to the many thousands of teenagers and young people diagnosed with cancer every year.”

Participants can enter this contest by visiting: www.thewhomagicbus.com . Each entry costs $9.86 USD, with all net proceeds going to Teenage Cancer Trust. All entrants will receive a free download of a previously unreleased live performance of The Who’s famous hit, “Magic Bus.”

Inspiration for the competition stems from the collaboration between Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles and The Who, which culminated in a special live performance from the band at the 60 Year Celebration of the Volkswagen Bus in Hannover, Germany, in October 2007.

Roger Daltrey, who will perform with The Who at the Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles on July 12th said, “As a long standing Patron of Teenage Cancer Trust, I am delighted to support this unique competition. Make sure you visit the website before July 8th to enter; you’ll be helping us raise essential funds so we can build more specialized teenage cancer units within the National Health Services.”

About Volkswagen of America, Inc.

Volkswagen of America, Inc. recently announced Electronic Stabilization Program (ESP) as standard equipment on all its 2009 model year vehicles. As a result, Volkswagen is one of the only original equipment manufacturers to offer an electronic stabilization control system on its entire product line — ahead of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) deadline requiring stabilization systems in the 2012 model year vehicles. Volkswagen’s ESP technology works in conjunction with anti-lock brakes and helps reduce loss of control, rollovers and other types of crashes. NHTSA predicts nearly 10,000 lives could be saved each year if all vehicles had stabilization systems as standard equipment.

Founded in 1955, Volkswagen of America, Inc. is headquartered in Herndon, Virginia. It is a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany. Volkswagen is one of the world’s largest producers of passenger cars and Europe’s largest automaker. Volkswagen sells the Rabbit, New Beetle, New Beetle convertible, GTI, Jetta, GLI, Passat, Passat wagon, Eos, and Touareg through approximately 600 independent U.S. dealers. Visit Volkswagen of America online at vw.com .

About Teenage Cancer Trust

Each day in the UK, 6 teenagers will find out they have cancer - that is around 2,000 new diagnoses every year. These young people often get a raw deal, receiving hospital treatment in inappropriate facilities catering for children or the elderly. Teenage Cancer Trust is a UK Charity, founded in 1990, that focuses on the needs of teenagers and young adults with cancer by providing specialist teenage units in NHS hospitals.

As well as state-of-the-art facilities to keep patients occupied during long stays in hospital, the units provide an environment where teenagers can meet others in a similar situation. Units allow patients to build friendships and mechanisms to cope with their disease without being patronised or ignored and are staffed with professionals able to fully understand and manage the needs of the patients.

To date, TCT has built units in London, Leeds, Manchester, Birmingham, Sheffield, Liverpool, Glasgow and Newcastle and would like at least 22 units to ensure every teenager with cancer has access.

In addition to building units, TCT funds a nationwide Education team, teaching young people in schools, colleges and universities about cancer, prevention and healthy living. They also provide a conference for young people with cancer and training for medical professionals.

Source: Volkswagen of America, Inc.

Web Site: http://www.vw.com/
http://www.thewhomagicbus.com/