Visa USA Announces Renewed Partnership with Broadway

Visa USA today announced a renewal of its relationships with Tony Award Productions, The League of American Theatres and Producers, Inc. and The American Theatre Wing. A proud sponsor of live theatre since 1999, Visa will remain the only card that allows consumers to experience the excitement of the American Theatre Wing's Tony Awards®, as well as remaining the preferred card of Live Broadway.

"As part of our commitment to offering the best in live entertainment and the arts, Visa provides access to the magic of Broadway to Visa cardholders," said Michael Lynch, senior vice president, Visa USA. "Visa Signature cardholders in particular enjoy special ticket access, pre-sale ticket offers, and special events for some of Broadway's hottest shows - including seven shows nominated for Tony Awards in 2006 and many of the most-coveted shows for 2007."

Visa's comprehensive relationship with Broadway offers substantial pass-through rights to member and merchant partners to drive their business. The partnership includes activation at a number of levels, from the Tony Awards to touring companies to point of sale.

"We are pleased that Visa has continued to ally itself with Broadway, one of the strongest brands in the entertainment industry," said Gerald Schoenfeld, chairman of The League of American Theatres and Producers. "By renewing its commitment to Broadway as a cornerstone partner of the League and proud sponsor of the Tony Awards, Visa generates enormous value for our industry by allowing us to benefit from Visa's marketing muscle and brand equity. We are grateful to Visa for working with us to forge an ongoing strategic alliance that is a winning relationship for all parties."

"Visa has been an outstanding partner for Broadway, and a staunch supporter of theatre communication and education across America through its partnership with the American Theatre Wing," said Sondra Gilman, chairman of the American Theatre Wing. "Visa shares our longstanding commitment to excellence in theatre and we look forward to sustaining this partnership for the benefit of theatre audiences everywhere."

Visa has demonstrated its support for the Broadway industry by sponsoring a $25,000 grant to the Regional Theatre Tony Award recipient for the past two years. This grant celebrates one regional theatre company for artistic achievement and contributes to the growth of theatre nationally. Recipients have included the Theatre de la Jeune Lune of Minneapolis, MN in 2005 and the Intiman Theatre of Seattle, WA in 2006.

Visa Signature seeks to match the lifestyle interests of affluent cardholders by delivering exclusive ticket access to the best in live entertainment and the arts. For the quarter ending June 30, 2006, Visa reported sales volume for Visa Signature grew by more than 20 percent over the same period last year.

The Visa Signature card is the rewards card that rewards you for living. As part of Visa Signature Access, cardholders can secure pre-sale tickets and preferred seating at select theatre and music venues, such as House of Blues clubs nationwide, as well as premium offers and access to exclusive events such as the Kentucky Derby and the Tony Awards. In addition to a choice of numerous airline, hotel, and other premium reward partners, cardholders can secure reservations for hard to reserve tables at some of the hottest restaurants across the country through Visa Signature Dining and access to round-the-clock complimentary concierge services through the Visa Signature Concierge. Since the Visa Signature card is accepted at millions of merchants worldwide, cardholders have even more opportunities to make their Signature wishes come true.

For additional information about Visa Signature and Broadway ticket offers and packages, visit www.visa.com/signature

About Visa USA

Visa USA is the nation's leading payment brand and largest payment system, enabling banks to provide their consumers and business customers with a wide variety of payment alternatives tailored to meet their evolving needs. Visa USA is committed to increasing the choice, convenience, acceptance and security of Visa payments for all stakeholders in the payment system — members, cardholders and merchants. Through its 13,432 member financial institutions, more than 510 million Visa-branded cards have been issued to cardholders in the United States. Last year, U.S.-based financial institutions relied on Visa's processing system, VisaNet, to facilitate $1.6 trillion in transactions with unparalleled reliability. Worldwide, cardholders in more than 150 countries carry more than 1 billion Visa-branded cards, accounting for more than $3 trillion in annual transaction volume. Visa offers a trusted, reliable and convenient way to access and mobilize financial resources — anytime, anywhere, anyway.

About Tony Award Productions

Tony Award Productions is a joint venture of the American Theatre Wing and The League of American Theatres and Producers. The American Theatre Wing's Tony Awards®, presented by the League and the Wing, recognize distinguished achievement in Broadway theatre, both on stage and behind the scenes. For 60 years they have stood as the pinnacle of achievement in the theatrical profession, recognizing both established stars and new talents who take on the challenge of live stage performance in the legendary theatres of Broadway. As the only prime-time national network program focusing on theatre each year, The Tony Awards ceremony is broadcast across America and around the world, showcasing performances from Broadway's biggest hits, in a program that is itself acclaimed and honored as the most entertaining of all award shows. The official Tony Awards web site is www.TonyAwards.com.

About The League of American Theatres and Producers, Inc.

The League of American Theatres and Producers, Inc., founded in 1930 and operating under the trademark "Live Broadway," is the national trade association for the Broadway industry. The League's 600-plus members include theatre owners and operators, producers, presenters, and general managers, as well as suppliers of goods and services to the theatre industry. Each year, League members bring Broadway to nearly 30 million people in New York and on tour in more than 240 cities across the U.S. and Canada. www.LiveBroadway.com.

About The American Theatre Wing

The American Theatre Wing is a not-for-profit service organization dedicated to recognizing excellence and supporting education in the theatre. ATW's programs include the long-running Working in the Theatre Seminars, broadcast in New York on CUNY-TV and now available as books from Continuum Publishing; a grants and scholarship program awarding support to New York not-for-profit theatre companies and theatre students; "Downstage Center," a weekly theatrical interview show on XM Satellite Radio; the Theatre Intern Group, a professional development and networking organization for interns in commercial and not-for-profit theatre; and SpringboardNYC, a two week boot camp for college students planning for careers in the New York theatre. ATW's media work is available for free, on-demand from the company's website, www.americantheatrewing.org.