Rock in Rio Announces Entertainment Leaders MGM Resorts International, Cirque du Soleil and
Ron Burkle as Partners in the World’s Biggest Music Festival, Coming to Las Vegas in 2015
Rock in Rio USA’s “City of Rock” Gains New Support from Las Vegas Entertainment Experts
Rock in Rio, the world’s biggest music festival, has joined forces with entertainment giants MGM RESORTS INTERNATIONAL(NYSE:MGM), Cirque du Soleil and Ron Burkle (The Yucaipa Companies) for the festival’s U.S. debut in Las Vegas in May 2015. An alliance founded on a shared commitment to creating innovative entertainment, Rock in Rio, MGM Resorts and Cirque du Soleil will redefine the modern music festival for U.S. audiences with a monumental combination of the biggest names in music and a fully immersive entertainment experience, all housed in a spectacular, custom-made “City of Rock.”
Over the past 30 years, Rock in Rio festivals have brought more than 1,120 performances to 1 billion fans worldwide, and that number will grow next month at Rock in Rio Lisbon (Portugal) where The Rolling Stones, Justin Timberlake, Lorde, Arcade Fire and Ed Sheeran, among others, are scheduled to perform.
“We are thrilled to welcome MGM Resorts, Cirque du Soleil and Ron Burkle as part of the Rock in Rio USA family,” said Roberto Medina, founder, Rock in Rio. “It’s a testament to the festival’s 30-year history and outstanding reputation to have these entertainment giants on board and, with added power from the partners, our first Rock in Rio USA will be unlike any festival anyone has ever experienced – on the biggest stage in the world in the heart of Las Vegas.”
Building the City of Rock in Las Vegas
As the premier entertainment company in the world, MGM Resorts’ expertise in developing world-class infrastructure will lay the groundwork to transform 33 acres of prime Las Vegas real estate into the magical City of Rock. The permanent open-air concert venue will be located on The Strip near the corner of Sahara Avenue and have the capacity for 80,000 people per day. The design and layout will be signature Rock in Rio, complete with five stages; themed streets boasting the sights, sounds, and foods of Brazil, the U.S. and the United Kingdom; thrilling rides including a zip line; food courts, shopping areas and other activities. After the festival, the incredible venue will remain for MGM Resorts to host other entertainment experiences for people from around the world.
Bill Hornbuckle, president of MGM Resorts International, said, “The entertainment scene has changed dramatically in recent years, as has the way consumers want to experience their entertainment. With our innovative new partners at Rock in Rio and the creative geniuses at Cirque du Soleil, we will introduce Las Vegas to an unprecedented music festival in a setting that will never be replicated.” Hornbuckle continued, “The event will serve as a major tourism driver for Las Vegas, expected to draw well over 300,000 people to our city over the four days of the concert.”
Transforming the Festival Experience
Having hosted resident shows in Las Vegas for more than 20 years, Cirque du Soleil will bring deep knowledge of the market and consumer behavior to the Rock in Rio partnership. This commitment to creating a close and emotional relationship with the public is part of what sets Rock in Rio apart from other music festivals and helps make it the world’s biggest music and entertainment event.
Jerry Nadal, senior vice president, Resident Shows Division, Cirque du Soleil, added, “As a creative live entertainment producer, Cirque du Soleil is uniquely suited to help bring an unforgettable mix of wonder, enjoyment and artistic excellence to Las Vegas with the first-ever Rock in Rio USA experience. Rock in Rio already is a cultural phenomenon around the globe, and we are excited to be part of the festival’s U.S. introduction.”
Rock in Rio, MGM Resorts and Cirque du Soleil plan to offer hospitality packages for tourists that will guarantee festival-goers an unforgettable and seamless experience not only at Rock in Rio USA but throughout their stay in Las Vegas.
The countdown to Rock in Rio USA also is supported by media partners iHeartRadio and NCM Network. Together, a robust advertising and communications campaign will bring news and announcements to consumers nationwide over the next 12 months.
Tickets for Rock in Rio USA will go on sale to the general public in January 2015, but they can currently be reserved, for a limited period of time – without any payment obligation – on the festival’s official website. For more information, visit www.RockinRio.com. Get the latest updates via Rock in Rio’s Facebook page (Facebook.com/RockInRioUSA) and Twitter feed (Twitter.com/rockinriousa).
About Rock in Rio
Since its inception in 1985, Rock in Rio has been a cultural phenomenon. Launched as a way to return joy and confidence to the people of Brazil at the end of a military regime, Rock in Rio’s inaugural event broke music festival records with 1.38 million attendees – five times larger than Woodstock. Since that monumental concert, 13 Rock in Rio festivals have taken place across three countries with more than 7 million people attending and 1 billion more watching at home around the world. Last year’s festival in Rio sold out all 600,000 tickets in an unprecedented four hours.
About MGM Resorts International
MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) is one of the world’s leading global hospitality companies, operating destination resort brands including Bellagio, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay and The Mirage. The Company also owns 51% of MGM China Holdings Limited, which owns the MGM Macau resort and casino and is in the process of developing a gaming resort in Cotai, and 50% of CityCenter in Las Vegas, which features ARIA Resort & Casino. For more information about MGM Resorts International, visit the Company’s website at www.mgmresorts.com.
About Cirque du Soleil
From a group of 20 street performers at its beginnings in 1984, Cirque du Soleil is a major Québec-based organization providing high-quality artistic entertainment. The company has 5,000 employees including more than 1,000 artists from close to 50 different countries. Cirque du Soleil has brought wonder and delight to close to 100 million spectators in 300 cities on five continents.
In Las Vegas, Cirque du Soleil has eight permanent resident shows. These productions include Mystère at Treasure Island, “O” at Bellagio Resort & Casino, Zumanity, The Sensual Side of Cirque du Soleil at New York-New York Hotel & Casino, KÀ at MGM Grand Hotel & Casino, The Beatles LOVE at The Mirage Hotel & Casino, CRISS ANGEL Believe at Luxor Hotel and Casino, Zarkana at ARIA Resort & Casino and Michael Jackson ONETM at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino.
About The Yucaipa Companies
The Yucaipa Companies is a premier investment firm that has established a record of fostering economic value through the growth and responsible development of companies. Founded in 1986 by Ron Burkle, the firm has completed mergers and acquisitions valued at more than $40 billion. As an investor, Yucaipa works with management to strategically reposition businesses and implement operational improvements, resulting in value creation for investors.