American Express Canada Renews Partnership with Live Nation Canada to Bring More Entertainment Access to Canadian Cardmembers

Multi-year agreement part of American Express Canada's expanding entertainment and experiences programs

TORONTO, Oct. 21, 2015 /CNW/ - Today, American Express Canada and Live Nation Canada announce the renewal of a multi-year deal with expanded benefits, offering Canadian Cardmembers access to more tickets and shows through its Front Of The Line® program. The partnership solidifies American Express' 26-year entertainment legacy in Canada, and reaffirms its commitment to bringing Cardmembers a breadth of entertainment experiences unlike any other brand.

"We're excited to see our already strong partnership with Live Nation Canada, grow even stronger. Together, we'll be able to bring even more entertainment access to Canadians for years to come," says David Barnes, Vice President of Advertising and Communications, American Express Canada. "Since launching our access program 26 years ago, we've expanded our programs to cover live music, theatre, film and dining. The partnership with Live Nation is central to this, giving our Cardmembers advanced pre-sale access to hundreds of concerts across Canada featuring the biggest names in music. 

The agreement will continue to solidify American Express' position as a leading brand providing advanced ticket access to Canadians through its Front Of the Line program. As part of the Live Nation Canada partnership, the guaranteed number of concerts that American Express will be able to provide advanced ticket access to will more than double, along with great, quality seats through a reserved allotment of tickets once the public sale begins.  American Express will also continue to be a lead sponsor at the Molson Canadian Amphitheatre, with Cardmember benefits such as by-passing line-ups to the venue through its Front Of The Line Entrance, and access to the American Express Lounge onsite.

"We're excited to build on our partnership in Canada and welcome more American Express Cardmembers to our concerts and events for years to come," said John May, Live Nation Entertainment's president – Ontario Region, EVP National Alliances. "American Express continues to be both a great sponsor and valuable marketing partner as we grow our own business and provide more world class music for Canadian fans."

This announcement marks an exciting time for American Express' access program, which has seen tremendous growth.  In fact, with advanced ticket access alone, American Express has seen a 132 per cent increase in pre-sales  between 2012 and 2014, and is on track to have its biggest year in 2015 providing its Cardmembers with access to hundreds of thousands of tickets to the hottest events across the country.

Front Of The Line is itself part of a broader push into entertainment and experiences through American Express Invites that has seen the company partner with the best in Canadian entertainment. In addition to Live Nation Canada, American Express holds relationships with over 20 partners, like Mirvish Productions, Roy Thomson Hall/Massey Hall, Broadway Across Canada, eOne Entertainment, Taste of Toronto and more.  Together with these partners, Cardmembers have seen an increase in the amount of access and entertainment offerings available to them. In 2015 alone, Cardmembers have had access to concerts like One Direction, Janet Jackson, and Paul McCartney, theatre productions like, Kinky Boots, dining events like, Taste Of Toronto, and advanced film screenings, like Hunger Games.

Beyond ticket sales, American Express also provides Cardmembers an elevated experience when onsite at top entertainment venues, such as Princess of Wales Theatre, Massey Hall, and Roy Thomson Hall, where Cardmembers can  gain entry into special lounges or bars to complete their night out.

For more information on American Express entertainment offerings, please go to: www.AmexInvites.ca

About Live Nation Entertainment

Live Nation Entertainment (NYSE: LYV) is the world's leading live entertainment company comprised of global market leaders: Ticketmaster, Live Nation Concerts, Live Nation Media & Sponsorship and Artist Nation Management. For additional information, visit www.livenationentertainment.com.

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 SimplyCash ™ Card from American Express ©, The American Express® Gold Rewards Card, and the American Express® AeroplanPlus® Gold Card. American Express opened its first offices in Toronto and Hamilton in 1853 and now employs approximately 3,000  Canadians coast-to-coast. For more information, visit AmericanExpress.ca or connect with us at Facebook.com/AmericanExpressCanada and YouTube.com/AmericanExpressCAD

SOURCE American Express

Maggie Dunlop, American Express Canada, 519-386-4845, [email protected]; Erin Smyth, Live Nation Canada, 416-260-4226, [email protected]; Alexandra Peco, High Road, 416-644-2298, [email protected]