Hard Rock International World’s First Chinese Memorabilia Displayed at City of Dreams
By Prne, Gaea News NetworkWednesday, April 1, 2009
ORLANDO, Florida - Superstar Jacky CHEUNG Hok-yau First Chinese Artist Featured in Hard Rock Memorabilia
Hard Rock International and City of Dreams today announced that Mr. Jacky Cheung Hok-yau will become the first Chinese Superstar to join the league of internationally renowned artists donating to the Hard Rock Memorabilia Collection. Some of the star’s most important items from throughout his music career will be exhibited at the Hard Rock Hotel at City of Dreams, an integrated entertainment resort set to become the “must experience” destination in Macau, which is being developed by Melco Crown Entertainment Limited (Nasdaq: MPEL), an entertainment company listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market.
The Hard Rock Memorabilia Collection is widely considered to be one of the most valuable in the world. The collection has grown over the years through donations, auctions, and acquisitions from some of the world’s greatest musicians and artists. Hard Rock strives to showcase this collection for music fans everywhere while preserving some of the most memorable moments of rock ‘n’ roll history.
Mr. Cheung said he was particularly honoured to be the first Chinese Superstar to be featured in the Hard Rock Memorabilia Collection. “Being a part of Hard Rock’s renowned memorabilia is a significant recognition of an artist’s achievement,” he said. “This honour does not belong just to myself. It is also a recognition of the dedication and talents of all Chinese artists around the world.”
Mr. Hamish Dodds, President and Chief Executive Officer of Hard Rock International said that he admired Mr. Cheung’s exceptional musical talent. “Jacky’s music not only touches the hearts of Asians, but also music lovers from many other parts of the world, breaking down the boundaries that separate music enthusiasts of different cultures. His creative spirit in music parallels the beliefs of Hard Rock. We are very pleased to have Jacky’s collectibles featured in the Hard Rock Hotel, Macau through this strategic cooperation with Melco Crown Entertainment,” said Mr. Dodds.
Mr. Lawrence Ho, Co-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Melco Crown Entertainment Limited, said, “Melco Crown Entertainment is glad to bring to Macau our flagship project, City of Dreams, with an expected opening date in June this year. Housing the world famous Hard Rock brand and its Memorabilia Collection with a Chinese artist being featured for the first time, we believe that City of Dreams will soon become the hottest tourist attraction in the region.”
The Jacky Cheung collection will feature unique items representing his outstanding achievements, including a guitar that accompanied the star during the Jacky 1999 Live in Concert World Tour and two glamorous sequined outfits and a scarf woven with metal chains that Mr. Cheung wore during The Year of Jacky Cheung World Tour 2007-2008, which toured 58 cities around the world for 12 months with over 105 shows and attracted more than 2 million fans.
The launch of the Jacky Cheung Hard Rock Memorabilia Collection also marks the first joint charitable action as Mr. Cheung, City of Dreams and Hard Rock International will together donate HK$600,000 to Children’s Cancer Foundation & ORBIS Macau.
Safe Harbor Statement
This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by words or phrases such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “target,” “aim,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “potential,” “continue,” “is/are likely to” or other similar expressions. The parent company of City of Dreams, Melco Crown Entertainment Limited (”Melco Crown Entertainment”) may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about beliefs and expectations of Melco Crown Entertainment, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors affecting Melco Crown Entertainment could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: growth of the gaming market and visitation in Macau; finalization of credit facilities to finance construction of projects; the completion of the construction of our hotel casino resort projects; the acquisition and development of the Macau Peninsula site; increased competition and other planned casino hotel and resort projects in Macau and elsewhere in Asia; the completion of infrastructure projects in Macau; government regulation of the casino industry; the ability to raise additional financing; obtaining approval from the Macau government for an increase in the developable gross floor area of the City of Dreams site; the formal grant of an occupancy permit for City of Dreams; our anticipated growth strategies; and our future business development, results of operations and financial condition. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in Melco Crown Entertainment Annual Report on Form 20-F filed on March 31, 2009 and other documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Melco Crown Entertainment does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this release, and Melco Crown Entertainment undertakes no duty to update such information, except as required under applicable law.
About Hard Rock International
With 123 high-energy Hard Rock Cafes and nine Hotels/Casinos in 49 countries, Hard Rock International is one of the world’s most globally recognized brands. Beginning with an Eric Clapton guitar, Hard Rock owns the world’s greatest collection of music memorabilia, which is displayed at its locations around the globe. Hard Rock is also known for its collectible fashion and music-related merchandise, Hard Rock Live performance venues and an award-winning website. In addition to the two flagship Seminole Hard Rock Hotels and Casinos in Tampa and Hollywood, Fla., Hard Rock Hotels/Casinos are located in Las Vegas, Biloxi, Orlando, Chicago, San Diego, Pattaya and Bali. Additional hotel and casino projects have been announced in Macau and Penang, both scheduled to open in 2009; Singapore in 2010; Palm Springs, Atlanta and Panama, scheduled to open in 2011; Dubai and Abu Dhabi, scheduled to open in 2012. Hard Rock International, Inc. is owned by Seminole Hard Rock Entertainment, Inc. For further details on Hard Rock Hotels and Casinos, visit www.hardrockhotels.com. For more information on Hard Rock International, visit www.hardrock.com.
About City of Dreams
City of Dreams is being developed by Melco Crown Entertainment Limited (NASDAQ: MPEL), an entertainment company listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, and will be an integrated entertainment resort that is set to become the “must experience” destination in Macau. Combining electrifying entertainment, stylish nightclubs, a diverse array of accommodation, regional and international dining, world-class shopping and a spacious and contemporary casino, City of Dreams will usher in a new era of gaming and entertainment when it opens in Cotai during the first half of 2009. The resort brings together a dream team of world-renowned brands such as Crown, Grand Hyatt, Hard Rock and Dragone to create an exceptional entertainment experience that will appeal to the broadest spectrum of visitors from around Asia and the world. The initial opening of City of Dreams will feature a 420,000-square-foot casino with approximately 520 gaming tables and approximately 1,350 gaming machines; over 20 restaurants and bars; an impressive array of some of the world’s most sought-after retail brands; and an iconic and spectacular audio visual multimedia experience; Crown Towers offering approximately 300 guest rooms and the Hard Rock Hotel offering approximately 300 guest rooms. Grand Hyatt Macau offering approximately 800 guest rooms will be completed in the third quarter of 2009 and a Dragone inspired theatre production will open in the purpose-built Theatre of Dreams soon thereafter. The final planned phase of development at City of Dreams will feature an apartment hotel consisting of approximately 800 units. For more information please visit: www.cityofdreamsmacau.com
Source: Hard Rock International
Hard Rock International: Marissa Mastellone, Dan Klores Communications, +1-212-981-5210, marissa_mastellone at dkcnews.com, or Michelle Messina, Hard Rock International, +1-407-445-7740, Michelle_messina at hardrock.com, City of Dreams: Charles Ngai, +853-8868-8953, charlesngai at cod-macau.com, or Jennifer Lam, +853-8868-8989, jlam at cod-macau.com
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