| NEW DELHI: Further developing their world-class
entertainment vision for Caesars Singapore, Harrah’s Operating Company, Inc
(a subsidiary of Harrah’s Entertainment) and Keppel Land today announced
they had joined forces with Asia’s leading media and entertainment company
Star group.
Under terms of the agreement,
Star will work with Caesars Singapore to create a wide range of entertainment
attractions at the Marina Bay integrated resort based on the broadcaster’s
popular media brands and assets, according to an official statement. Star,
a fully-owned subsidiary of News Corporation reaching 300 million people across
53 countries in Asia, will also have access to live entertainment and events hosted
by Caesars Singapore on a year-round basis. “Our agreement with
Star is another significant step toward the creation of an experientially compelling
entertainment destination at Singapore’s Marina Bay,” Richard Mirman,
senior vice president of business development for Harrah’s, was quoted in
the statement. “We believe having a powerful media partner will help
drive tourism and build awareness for the integrated resort throughout Asia and
specifically the countries of China and India,” Mirman added. Star,
Harrah’s and Keppel will create a state-of-the-art broadcast studio, a Channel
[V] club, a Star-branded attraction within the iPort, and will integrate broadcast
capabilities into all the live entertainment venues. The broadcast studio
will be the home of Star in Singapore and will be a high-energy area of the integrated
resort with activities throughout the day. Caesars Singapore will also provide
viewing space outside of the studio so that visitors will be able to watch their
favourite shows being broadcast live. Star, Harrah’s and Keppel will
also create a Channel [V]-branded club that will feature eye-catching live productions.
The partners will work with leading record labels and promoters to source talent
for performances at the club. Star Entertainment chief operating officer
and president Steve Askew said, “The agreement with Caesars Singapore provides
us an unique opportunity to extend our popular media brands and assets into a
whole different realm, where visitors to Singapore can experience the magic of
television productions firsthand.” The announcement comes less than
two weeks after Harrah’s and Keppel announced that Hollywood icon James Cameron
had signed on as executive producer of iPort – a 16-story, one million-square-foot
immersive entertainment experience. Star plans to create a themed attraction
within iPort, giving visitors the opportunity to watch their favourite shows being
recorded; to participate in live and taped shows, such as quiz shows or sporting
events; and to visit famous sets used in popular shows. Entertainment Media
Ventures president Sandy Climan represented Harrah's Entertainment in its discussions
with Star. Climan also represented Harrah’s in the James Cameron, iPort experience
unveiled at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Harrah’s
and Keppel have assembled a creative and cutting-edge talent lineup as they pursue
this premier project in Asia. Previously announced players include world-famous
gallery Centre Pompidou, renowned architect Daniel Libeskind, Anschutz Entertainment
Group, Inc.'s AEG Live Division, convention promotion and management specialist
SMG, Suntec Singapore International Convention and Exhibition Centre, retail giants
Taubman Asia Ltd., Gordon Group Holdings (Taubman/Gordon) and celebrated luxury-retail
designer Peter Marino. Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. is the world's largest
provider of branded casino entertainment through operating subsidiaries. Keppel
Land is the property arm of the Keppel Group, one of Singapore’s largest
multi-national groups with key businesses in offshore and marine, infrastructure
and property. | 
