MEC Marketing and Partnership Program. Be A Part Of The Excitement!

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "MEC Marketing and Partnership Program. Be A Part Of The Excitement!"

Osborne Quinn
5 years ago
Views:

1 MEC Marketing and Partnership Program Be A Part Of The Excitement!

2 Welcome to MEC... Dear Potential Partner, When we established Magna Entertainment Corp. (MEC), we saw a unique opportunity to improve the way racetracks are run and to bring the excitement of live racing and pari-mutuel wagering, via emerging technology, into the living-rooms of our customers and into sports bars and other entertainment venues around the world. Today, MEC is North America s number one owner and operator of horse racetracks, based on revenues, and one of the world s leading suppliers of live horse racing to the international simulcast market. Frank Stronach Chairman of the Board Magna Entertainment Corp. And with that enviable market position, we have a large and loyal following of enthusiastic customers. Customers that love the excitement of live horse racing. Customers that you can now have access to. I strongly believe that we can offer you a unique and cost-effective venue for your valuable marketing dollar, and I invite you to explore the many options we offer. Sincerely, Frank Stronach

3 The World of MEC... Magna Entertainment Corp. (MEC) is North America s number one owner and operator of horse racetracks, based on revenues, and one of the world s leading suppliers, via simulcasting, of live racing content to the growing inter-track, off-track and account wagering markets. MEC owns, operates or manages 17 tracks, including some of the most prestigious properties in North America such as Santa Anita Park near Los Angeles, Gulfstream Park in Miami, Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie near Dallas, Texas (home of the 2004 Breeders Cup) and Pimlico Race Course (home of the Preakness Stakes ), as well as the newly opened Magna Racino near Vienna, Austria. MEC operates a growing off-track betting (OTB) network in several states and a national account wagering business, XpressBet, which permits customers to wager on races by telephone and over the Internet, subject to legal restrictions. MEC also owns and operates HorseRacing TV, a 24-hour television network that provides live horse racing action from six to ten racetracks daily, including exclusive action from MEC racetracks. We re a mass marketer with racing content 363 days a year over several time zones around the world. Nearly 30 million customers experience MEC racing annually at the track, on an MEC simulcast at home, or by phone or Internet through XpressBet. We distribute our live racing content to more than 1,000 off-track and inter-track venues around the world. Ten of MEC s tracks are located in the top 25 media markets in the United States. As a television broadcaster and one of the leading simulcast suppliers of live horse racing, MEC reaches 23 of the top 25 markets. We re also taking the lead by creating new racing entertainment action for our customers. The Sunshine Millions is the first of many MEC exclusively-branded annual racing events. The Sunshine Millions pits California-breds against Florida-breds in an eight race head-to-head, coast-to-coast showdown held at Santa Anita Park and Gulfstream Park. In 2004, the two hour program carried live on NBC Sports had an overnight rating of 1.7. The Preakness Stakes in 2004, held at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore drew a crowd of over 112,000 people. Race fans across the country bet over $87,000,000 on the Preakness Stakes through the parimutuel windows, setting both attendance and handle records. NBC Sports announced that its coverage of Preakness delivered a Nielsen rating of 7.7/19, up 35% from the year before. We ve also launched a new wagering experience called Magna 5. For a minimum wager of $2.00 with a guaranteed pool of $500,000, customers can wager on up to 5 races each Saturday. We re creating new products and expanding our existing markets. Across America, MEC is transforming the exciting sport of horse racing into one of the most dynamic, multimedia entertainment businesses in the world. A world that you can now be part of.

4 MEC Racetrack and OTB Locations MEC at a Glance Multnomah Greyhound Park Portland Meadows Portland OREGON 18 Golden Gate Fields San Francisco Bay Meadows CALIFORNIA ONTARIO 8 Flamboro Downs Hamilton MICHIGAN Great Lakes Downs PENNSYLVANIA Cleveland 4 Thistledown Pittsburgh Pimlico OHIO Baltimore The Meadows Bowie Training Center Laurel Park MARYLAND 1 VIRGINIA Colonial Downs* 5 2 New Kent Santa Anita Park Los Angeles San Luis Rey Downs Remington Park Oklahoma City OKLAHOMA 6 MEC Racetrack MEC Training Facility Number of MEC Affiliated Off-Track Betting (OTB) Locations * Colonial Downs is managed by MEC through a management contract with The Maryland Jockey Club NOTE: Map does not show Magna Racino, Austria which is scheduled to open in 2004 Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie TEXAS Dallas FLORIDA Gulfstream Park Palm Meadows Miami Television DMA Markets and Rankings Racetrack Market Rank TV Households Population % of U.S. Population Santa Anita Park California 2 5,303,490 16,260, Bay Meadows/Golden Gate Fields California 5 2,426,010 6,749, Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie Texas 7 2,201,170 5,800, Pimlico Race Course Maryland 8 2,128,430 5,667, (Washington) Laurel Park Maryland 24 1,023,530 2,559, (Baltimore) 3,151,960 8,226, (combined) Gulfstream Park Florida 15 1,549,680 3,874, Thistledown Ohio 17 1,513,130 3,782, The Meadows Pennsylvania 21 1,146,340 2,870, Portland Meadows/Multnomah Greyhound Park Oregon 23 1,069,260 2,673, Great Lakes Downs Michigan ,210 1,755, Remington Park Oklahoma ,760 1,559, Flamboro Downs Ontario 1 2,377,000 12,067, Total % of U.S. Population: Total % of Canadian Population: 19.7 Source: SRDS

5 MEC 2004 Racing Calendar Bay Meadows Flamboro Downs Golden Gate Fields Great Lakes Downs Gulfstream Park Laurel Park Lone Star Park Magna Racino Multnomah Pimlico Portland Meadows Remington Park Santa Anita Park* The Meadows Thistledown January February March April May June July August September October November December * Includes The Oak Tree Meet, September 29 to October 31, which is operated by the Oak Tree Racing Association, at Santa Anita Park. Race Carrier Race Carrier MEC Major Races and Network Carriers The Preakness Stakes Pimlico Race Course The Sunshine Millions Gulfstream/Santa Anita El Camino Real Derby Golden Gate Fields Dallas Turf Cup Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie Gulfstream Park Handicap Gulfstream Park Malibu Stakes Santa Anita Park Santa Anita Derby Santa Anita Park Golden Gate Handicap Bay Meadows Lone Star Derby Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie Texas Mile Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie Florida Derby Gulfstream Park NTRA All-Star Jockey Championship Lone Star Park Lone Star Million Day Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie Pimlico Special Pimlico Race Course Ohio Derby Thistledown Dixie Handicap Pimlico Race Course Best of Ohio Day Thistledown Black-Eyed Susan Stakes Pimlico Race Course Oklahoma Derby Remington Park Gallorette Handicap Pimlico Race Course Fountain of Youth Stakes Gulfstream Park Sprintfest Laurel Park Bay Meadows Handicap Bay Meadows Maryland Million Classic Laurel Park California Derby Golden Gate Fields

MEC s Commitment to Technology MEC is utilizing technology to expand its customer base and deliver major league racing action and wagering opportunities to customers in more time zones and countries

XpressBet MEC s wagering system over the Internet and by telephone, and HorseRacing TV MEC s Television Network are two powerful examples of how MEC is bringing horse racing to more people in more

6 MEC s Commitment to Technology MEC is utilizing technology to expand its customer base and deliver major league racing action and wagering opportunities to customers in more time zones and countries around the world. XpressBet MEC s wagering system over the Internet and by telephone, and HorseRacing TV MEC s Television Network are two powerful examples of how MEC is bringing horse racing to more people in more places, more often. MEC is developing innovative new wagering terminals that combine the excitement of horse racing with the fun and simplicity of slot machines. MEC plans to introduce the new terminals at one or more of its tracks over the next year. MEC is also launching new, customer-friendly handheld wireless wagering devices with touch-activated screens. These convenient portable devices provide racetrack and OTB customers with enhanced service. Setting up for another busy day at Sirona s Restaurant and bar at Santa Anita.

MEC s Commitment to Entertainment MEC is providing its customers with enhanced entertainment experiences at all of its locations: racetracks, simulcast pavilions and off-track betting facilities.

parties to calypso bands and samba dancers, as well as national contests, prizes and give-aways.

7 MEC s Commitment to Entertainment MEC is providing its customers with enhanced entertainment experiences at all of its locations: racetracks, simulcast pavilions and off-track betting facilities. MEC continues to introduce a diverse mix of entertainment experiences at its racetracks, such as live concerts, exciting race day events, including everything from skydivers and tropical beach parties to calypso bands and samba dancers, as well as national contests, prizes and give-aways. A key part of MEC s focus on the total customer experience involves offering quality hospitality services at all of its venues. MEC provides customers with a wide range of delicious, quality food and beverage choices everything from gourmet dining at a racetrack restaurant to grandstand concessions. Alternative gaming, particularly in the form of slots and video lottery terminals (VLTs), is increasingly becoming part of the competitive landscape in the racing industry. MEC is well positioned to add slots and VLTs at its racetrack facilities in a number of key states where legislators are considering their introduction. Concert at Gulfstream Park. Join us, as we create The New World of Horse Racing.

Another key pillar in MEC s strategy for expanding racing and wagering distribution is XpressBet, MEC s online and telephone account wagering service.

With an XpressBet account, customers can wager online at www.xpressbet.com or over the phone at 1-866-80XPRESS (where permitted by law).

The service also provides up-to-the-minute racing information, live odds and results, race program information, real-time audio and video streaming on an easy-to-use betting screen with no membership

Within seconds, a bet receipt will appear. Enjoy the race!

8 Another key pillar in MEC s strategy for expanding racing and wagering distribution is XpressBet, MEC s online and telephone account wagering service. Following a successful launch in California in January 2002, XpressBet now has approximately 45,000 active customers. Anytime... From Anywhere. With an XpressBet account, customers can wager online at or over the phone at XPRESS (where permitted by law). XpressBet customers can now wager at over 100 North American racetracks and internationally on races in Australia, South Africa and Dubai. The service also provides up-to-the-minute racing information, live odds and results, race program information, real-time audio and video streaming on an easy-to-use betting screen with no membership or per wager fees. How to Play Go to 1: Enter your user name and password 2: Review the race program with live odds 3: Make a wager and submit your bet. Within seconds, a bet receipt will appear. Enjoy the race! Targeting the Growing In-Home Market The Internet has become one of the most powerful mediums in today s world, and with horse racing s need to deliver huge amounts of information in a split second, XpressBet has become a strong must have tool for every person interested in horse racing. XpressBet constantly strives to improve the high level of service provided to its customers all over the world by making a commitment to continually advance and upgrade its site and services. At XpressBet we deliver excitement! Jim McAlpine President and Chief Executive Officer Magna Entertainment Corp. *Must be 18 years of age (21 in Arizona) to obtain or use an XpressBet account. Account wagering is not permitted in all states. XpressBet encourages responsible wagering. National Problem Gaming Support Line

Reaching More Customers More Often HorseRacing TV is a 24-hour television network that provides live horse racing action from up to ten racetracks daily, including exclusive action from MEC

Produced at MEC s award-winning studio located at Santa Anita Park, HorseRacing TV delivers wire-to-wire coverage along with post parades, odds, results and live racing replays up to 15 hours per day.

9 Reaching More Customers More Often HorseRacing TV is a 24-hour television network that provides live horse racing action from up to ten racetracks daily, including exclusive action from MEC racetracks. Produced at MEC s award-winning studio located at Santa Anita Park, HorseRacing TV delivers wire-to-wire coverage along with post parades, odds, results and live racing replays up to 15 hours per day. The program schedule also provides programming related to the sport of horse racing, including expert commentary and insight that allow viewers to make informed handicapping decisions. All live racing content on HorseRacing TV is available for wagering, subject to legal restrictions, via XpressBet, MEC s national telephone and Internet account wagering service. Television is the most powerful media tool available today and MEC intends to use its around-the-clock coverage of the sport to its maximum capability. To that end, HRTV represents a new genre of sports television, which will raise both the visibility and popularity of the sport of horse racing. MEC s production studio at Santa Anita. Now reaching over 11 million cable & satellite homes

MEC s Commitment to Innovate and Create An MEC Exclusive! Telecast live on NBC Sports, this 2 hour head-to-head showdown between California-bred and Florida-bred thoroughbreds drew a 1.

Sunshine Millions was the leading network sports program in major markets such as Boston, Cleveland and Miami on January 24th, 2004.

10 MEC s Commitment to Innovate and Create An MEC Exclusive! Telecast live on NBC Sports, this 2 hour head-to-head showdown between California-bred and Florida-bred thoroughbreds drew a 1.7 overnight rating in On-track attendance also grew with 44,000 fans watching from Santa Anita Park in California and Gulfstream Park in Florida. Sunshine Millions was the leading network sports program in major markets such as Boston, Cleveland and Miami on January 24th, that kind of success demonstrates that if we work together to put compelling entertaining product into people s homes, thoroughbred racing will draw an audience and introduce new fans to our exciting sport. Jim McAlpine President and Chief Executive Officer Magna Entertainment Corp. The Sunshine Millions Concept A cross-continent rivalry for Breeding Bragging Rights between California and Florida, designed to evoke the warm climate appeal of winter events in a high houses using television month to a large cold weather segment of the North American population. WOW Factor A guaranteed purse of 3.6 million dollars over a total of 8 races. Growth Attendance increased by 41% over a year ago and wagering handle increased 32% (2003 to 2004). TV viewership grew 15% (2003 to 2004) making Sunshine Millions the 7th highest rated sports show of the week!

30 second simulcast commercials Broadcast Advertising Rates and Inventory 30 second Commercial Spots Opening/Closing Billboards (production included) In-Broadcast Features (production included)

11 MEC Network Participation In-house and simulcast TV broadcasts of 30 second spots and poster/pos program ad distribution and placement. Additional Opportunities Sunshine Millions presenting or title sponsor Special vignette sponsor Promotional prize sponsor On-site signage and exposure On-site hospitality at both or individual tracks 30 second simulcast commercials Broadcast Advertising Rates and Inventory 30 second Commercial Spots Opening/Closing Billboards (production included) In-Broadcast Features (production included) Sponsored features also available during broadcast: Current day race replays (totalling 8 races with 1 and 2 replays per race) Field images for all upcoming races that day (1 per race, 8 races to be run) Race results for all races that day (1 per race, 8 races to be run)

12 Don t Get Left Behind! This document and the information therein have been prepared strictly for the purposes of this presentation and the mutual exploration of potential business opportunities by MEC and the recipient with each other, and is not to be used by the recipient for any other purpose. This document is not an invitation or solicitation to invest in MEC. This document represents bona fide research, information and beliefs available to those preparing the document at the time of printing. However, such information is subject to change, uncertainties and differing interpretations and conclusions, and MEC makes no representations or warranties other than those which may be embodied in a written agreement between the recipient and MEC.

13 MEC Racetracks Bay Meadows, located in San Mateo, California between San Francisco and San Jose, commenced its inaugural meet in The facilities at Bay Meadows include a one-mile oval track with 1 1/4 mile and 3/4 mile chutes and a 7/8 mile turf course. MEC acquired the operations at Bay Meadows and leased the facility in November Colonial Downs, located 20 miles west of Williamsburg, Virginia, commenced its inaugural meet in September The facilities at Colonial Downs include harness racing s only one-turn mile racetrack. Horses start from a chute on the backstretch, race in a half mile straightaway once departing the gate, maneuver through a sweeping quarter mile turn, then face a 1,300 foot stretch drive resulting in fast times. MEC currently holds a management contract with Colonial Downs. Flamboro Downs is located in Hamilton, Ontario approximately 45 miles from Toronto. Since opening in 1975 it has acquired a reputation as Canada s Fastest Track. Flamboro offers live harness racing five days a week, year-round and daily simulcast wagering on-track and at 7 OTB locations. The facility also features 750 slot machines. MEC completed its acquisition of Flamboro Downs in April Golden Gate Fields, located approximately eight miles from Oakland and 11 miles from San Francisco commenced its inaugural meet in Golden Gate Fields facilities sit on 181 acres of land and include a one-mile main track and a 9/10-mile turf course. MEC acquired Golden Gate Fields in December Great Lakes Downs is located in Muskegon, Michigan about 35 miles from Grand Rapids. Great Lakes Downs facilities include a 5/8-mile dirt track. MEC acquired Great Lakes Downs in February Gulfstream Park is located in Halandale, Florida just north of Miami. Known as the home of the Florida Derby, Gulfstream is the premier east coast thoroughbred racetrack which operates during the winter months. Having first opened in 1939, Gulfstream Park is located on approximately 255 acres of land. The Breeders Cup has been held at Gulfstream Park three times in 1989, 1992 and Its racing facilities include a one-mile main track and a 7/8-mile turf track. MEC acquired the facility in September Laurel Park, located between Baltimore, Maryland and Washington D.C., first appeared on the racing scene on October 2, The facilities at Laurel Park include a 1 1/8-mile oval track with a seven-furlong chute and a one-mile turf course. MEC acquired a majority interest in the operations of Laurel Park and its sister track, Pimlico, in November Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie, located in Grand Prairie, Texas about 12 miles west of Dallas, is one of the newest horse racing facilities in the United States. Lone Star Park s facilities sit on 285 acres of land and include a one-mile dirt track and a 7/8-mile turf course. MEC acquired the operations of Lone Star Park and leased the facility in October Magna Racino, a brand new horse racetrack and gaming facility is the most recent addition to the MEC family, opening in April Magna Racino is located near Vienna, Austria and offers both thoroughbred and standardbred racing with a modern grandstand and massive video wall. The Meadows is located in the greater Pittsburgh area in Pennsylvania, on approximately 155 acres of land. It first opened in 1963 and has a year-round racing schedule. Pacers and trotters race on a 5/8-mile harness track. The 4 OTB facilities that MEC acquired with The Meadows are also located in the greater Pittsburgh area and offer wagering on simulcast races from racetracks across the country. MEC acquired The Meadows harness facility, its first standard racetrack, in April Multnomah Greyhound Park is located in Portland, Oregon. It offers live greyhound racing approximately six months per year as well as simulcasting of horse racing and greyhound racing around the country. MEC acquired this facility in October Pimlico Race Course, located in Baltimore, Maryland, opened its doors on October 25, 1870, making this track the second oldest in the nation behind Saratoga, which debuted in Pimlico is the home of the renowned Preakness Stakes. The facilities at Pimlico include a one-mile oval track with 1 1/4-mile and 3/4-mile chutes and a 7/8-mile turf course. MEC acquired a majority interest in Pimlico and its sister track, Laurel Park, in November Portland Meadows is located in the Delta Park area of Portland, Oregon. MEC acquired Portland Meadows in Remington Park is located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and offers a total of approximately 80 live racing days each year. Remington Park s facilities include a one-mile dirt track, a 7/8-mile turf course and recently installed lighting to permit night racing. Santa Anita Park is located in Arcadia, California about 14 miles northeast of Los Angeles. Widely acclaimed as one of the most beautiful settings for racing anywhere, Santa Anita Park is known as The Great Race Place. Santa Anita first opened for thoroughbred horse racing in 1934 and was acquired by MEC in Famed for its art-deco style grandstand and view of the San Gabriel Mountains, Santa Anita is situated on 305 acres of land and features a one-mile oval dirt track and a 7/8-mile turf course. Of the most popular spots at Santa Anita is Frontrunners Restaurant, a gourmet dining facility that seats up to 750 people and the newly opened Sirona s, a high-energy sports bar located across from the walking ring. There, customers are able to enjoy a variety of professional sports on four big-screen TVs and more than 20 other screens located throughout the restaurant and bar. Thistledown is located about 10 miles southeast of downtown Cleveland in Ohio. Annually, Thistledown hosts the Ohio Derby, which is the premier graded stakes races in Ohio and one of the top races for threeyear olds in the country. Thistledown s facilities include a one-mile oval track. MEC acquired Thistledown in November 1999.

AH manual layout 12/12/03 1:16 PM Page 1. Aurora Hospitality Services, Inc.

AH manual layout 12/12/03 1:16 PM Page 1 Aurora Hospitality Services, Inc. AH manual layout 12/12/03 1:16 PM Page 2 Aurora Hospitality at a Glance AH manual layout 12/12/03 1:16 PM Page 3 Tom Dillon President