The Philadelphia Orchestra Retains Ruder Finn as Official PR Agency for the Third Consecutive Year

Asia. Ruder Finn Asia has again partnered with The Philadelphia Orchestra as their Official PR Agency for the 2016 China Residency and Tour of Asia. This will be the third consecutive year for the successful partnership. The three-week tour, led by Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin, includes Residency in China and concerts in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, Macao, Tokyo, Osaka and Kawasaki. Ruder Finn is responsible for strategic PR communications, media coordination for both online and offline, in the run up, during and post tour. The Ruder Finn team also provides strategic council for the China market, as well as future initiatives in China.

The multi-city tour consists of multiple concerts, small pop-up performances at important cultural sites, master classes, lectures and community outreach visits.

The year 2016 marks the 43rd year since The Orchestra first visit to China. In 2011, The Orchestra signed a historic five-year agreement with the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) in Beijing to develop a pilot partnership which was jointly designed to unite The Orchestra members with talented young Chinese musicians and develop their skills to be orchestral players. It was also designed to bring orchestral music to China’s major cities and the provinces.

Throughout the years, the popular orchestra has gained significant appreciation from the Chinese pubic and local communities. They have received a very positive and warm welcome in all the cities they have played in, working with local governments, communities and cultural partners.

Craig Hamilton, Vice President for Global Initiatives and Government Relations, The Philadelphia Orchestra: “We are delighted to have retained Ruder-Finn again as the official PR Agency for our annual work in People-to-People Exchange between the United States and China, not the least of which is the upcoming 2016 China Residency and Tour of Asia. It has become clear in the course of our partnership that few other firms rival the focus on – and understanding of – the arts and cultural industry in both countries, and their strategy, execution and media placements have been both targeted and wide-ranging – allowing us to get our message to millions of people each year and ensure that our key audiences receive specialized and targeted messages. The results have been extremely helpful to the Orchestra to spread the word about our many projects – and their outcomes – to our stakeholders around the globe.”

Jean-Michel Dumont, Chairman of Ruder Finn Asia: “It’s been a great privilege to partner with the Philadelphia Orchestra. It has been an amazing experience working with such talented people who are genuinely committed to creating an emotional connection with the people of China. The response and rapport from the audience and communities in the different cities have been tremendous. The Philadelphia Orchestra has made a difference to Chinese people’s lives since their first visit in 1973.”

The Orchestra became the first American orchestra to perform in Mainland China in 1973, returning again 20 years later in 1993, and again in 1996, and also in 2001. In 2008 the Orchestra commemorated 35th Anniversary of its historic visit to China. Two years later, in 2010, The Orchestra helped open the World Expo in Shanghai.