Mercedes-Benz Secures Naming Rights of Iconic Arena in Shanghai

Shanghai (ots/PRNewswire) -

- Jointly-Developed Arena by OPG, AEG and the NBA Features
First-Ever Arena Naming Rights Partnership in China and Will Be Named
Mercedes-Benz Arena

At a symbolic signing ceremony today on the banks of the Huangpu
River, leading pioneer automobile brand Mercedes-Benz became the
naming rights partner of the arena currently under construction in
Shanghai. The arena, which is being jointly developed by world-class
culture and sports entities Oriental Pearl Group, AEG and the
National Basketball Association (NBA), will be the first arena in
China to have a naming rights partnership.

Mercedes-Benz Arena will be the only Mercedes-Benz named-venue
outside of Germany and this ground-breaking ten-year naming rights
agreement strongly reaffirms the automobile company's continuing
commitment and support for the development of culture, arts and
sports in China. The multi-purpose entertainment destination will
officially be known as Mercedes-Benz Arena in 2011, featuring
world-class events including performing arts, sports, family
entertainment, and is destined to become the newest iconic landmark
in China's most dynamic city of Shanghai.

Commenting on Mercedes-Benz's association with the upcoming
iconic international cultural and arts exchange hub, Mr Klaus Maier,
President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz (China) Ltd., said, "The new
Mercedes-Benz Arena will reinforce Shanghai as culturally-rich city
on the world map and create a new destination of arts and lifestyle
on the international stage. This reconfirms Mercedes-Benz's continued
commitment to arts and cultural development in the Chinese market."

Madam Niu Weiping, President of Shanghai Oriental Pearl (Group)
Co. Ltd., said, "Mercedes-Benz is an automobile manufacturer with
great vision and a strong sense of corporate social responsibility.
We are delighted to work together with Mercedes-Benz and two world
leaders in the entertainment and sports industry -- AEG and the NBA
-- to build the new landmark of culture and lifestyle in the dynamic
and influential city of Shanghai. This world-class arena will be not
only the pride of Shanghai, but also the pride of China and our joint
efforts will create a new benchmark in long-term cooperation and
venue management in China."

Shanghai Oriental Pearl Group is one of the investors in the
Mercedes-Benz Arena and one of the most influential publicly-listed
corporations in China. Among its assets is the Oriental Pearl
Television Tower in Shanghai which has become a symbol of surging
modernization not only in Shanghai but in China as well.

Since the formation of their joint venture to develop this arena,
OPG, AEG and the NBA have been working together to bring a wide
variety of events including sports, live entertainment, special
performances, trade shows and conventions to the Mercedes-Benz Arena.

"Mercedes-Benz is a world-renowned brand that represents luxury
and innovation, and we are delighted that this state-of-the-art
arena, and new landmark for Shanghai, will bear its name," said Mr.
John Cappo, President & CEO, AEG China. "These modern and innovative
arenas and entertainment districts we are developing with our
partners will become complete lifestyle destinations and great
platforms for brands and marketers to communicate directly to their
target customers. We appreciate Mercedes-Benz's strong commitment to
developing and supporting arts, entertainment and sports in China and
are delighted to have Mercedes-Benz as our partner. Mercedes-Benz
Arena is where the icon of motion will meet the icon of
entertainment. This is history in the making," Cappo added.

"Mercedes-Benz Arena will truly become Shanghai's and all of
China's state-of-the-art showplace for culture, arts, sports and
entertainment events when this world-class arena debuts," said NBA
China CEO Mr. Tim Chen. "With the help of our partners, we are
certain this arena will be the premier destination for sports,
entertainment and cultural events in Shanghai."

Designed by Shanghai Xian Dai Architectural Design Group, the
18,000 seat multi-purpose Mercedes-Benz Arena will light up the city
as the region's most technologically-advanced venue featuring an
unprecedented array of fan amenities never before seen in China that
will make the guest experience second-to-none. The state-of-the-art
amenities will include 82 luxury suites, VIP Clubs, delicious food
and beverage options, the very best acoustics, stage-systems and
lighting.

The world-class venue will host leading music and cultural
events, basketball games, other sporting events and lifestyle and
family shows that will feature the very best Chinese, Asian and
renowned artists, teams and performers from around the world.

Aside from large-scale entertainment, the people of Shanghai will
be able to enjoy Mercedes-Benz Arena on a daily basis as the venue
features a six-screen movie cineplex, a public ice skating rink, a
bowling alley, a live music club and 20,000 square meters of mixed
use retail space.

The arena will also feature a 1,000 square meter Mercedes-Benz
retail center where visitors will experience personalized and quality
service from the professional consultants as they purchase
Mercedes-Benz cars and accessories and also learn more about the
culture and heritage behind this timeless automotive brand.

As one of the most iconic brands in the history of automobile,
Mercedes-Benz's association with culture and music has been an
indispensable element of its core values. Over the years,
Mercedes-Benz has been working with premium partners -- globally and
in China -- in sponsoring a wide variety of cultural events, bringing
world-class performances to Chinese audience. By naming the arena
along the banks of the majestic Huangpu River, Mercedes-Benz hopes to
pioneer a new era in integrated arts, sports and entertainment
development for the future and reinforce its long-term contribution
and commitment to the thriving culture in this great city through
this new landmark.

ots Originaltext: Mercedes-Benz
Im Internet recherchierbar: http://www.presseportal.de

Contact:
Jayne Chen, +86-10-8417-3420, zheng.chen@daimler.com, for
Mercedes-Benz