Absolut Vodka and Madison Square Garden to Kick Off Concert Series with One-Night-Only Jay-Z Charity Performance on September 11

Absolut Vodka has announced a creative collaboration with Madison Square Garden that will offer music fans a series of high-profile concerts at the iconic venue.

Showcasing performances ranging from rock-and-roll heavyweights to country crooners, the two brands will kick off the series with a benefit show featuring hip-hop artist Jay-Z on September 11, to aid the New York Police & Fire Widows' & Children's Benefit Fund. The performance will air live and commercial-free on Fuse TV at 9pm.

"This charity and concert encompass the true spirit of New York City," commented Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter. "We are asking everyone to 'answer the call' and support and honor the families of those that lost their lives in the line of duty. There is a true camaraderie and resiliency this city showed the world in 2001 and we continue that today by taking care of our own."

"On behalf of The New York Police & Fire Widows' & Children's Benefit Fund's Board of Directors and the families of our fallen heroes, we are truly grateful for Jay-Z's choice to support our charity and "answering the call," said Stephen J. Dannhauser, President and CEO of the New York Police & Fire Widows' & Children's Benefit Fund.

For this live event, the groups said that 100 percent of the proceeds from ticket sales and concert merchandise will go directly to "New York Police & Fire Widows' & Children's Benefit Fund." Since its inception, New York Police & Fire Widow's & Children's Benefit Fund has distributed over $114 million to the families of New York City police and fire personnel who have lost their lives in the line of duty. Though the Benefit Fund was initially created to assist families of New York City Fire Fighters and Police Officers, the non-profit now includes the families of Emergency Medical Services and Port Authority Officers as well.

"Madison Square Garden is an iconic venue known world-wide for presenting concert events year after year. Absolut has a history of supporting the creative visions of artists in every genre. In celebration of Absolut's ongoing partnership with musical visionaries, this collaboration with Madison Square Garden seems natural. Performing at MSG is certainly a defining moment in many artists' careers and we recognize MSG as a creative force in entertainment," said Tim Murphy, Vice President of Marketing, Pernod Ricard USA. "Jay-Z's concert will be a great kick-off and a sensational experience for our consumers and concert goers."

"Madison Square Garden is committed to providing the highest quality of entertainment to our patrons and we are thrilled to work with such an iconic brand, Absolut, to bring the best in music entertainment to concert-goers," says Lew Sherr, SVP Marketing Partnerships, MSG Entertainment. "We are proud of our storied history in music performers and look forward to launching our relationship with Absolut as we bring a pre-eminent roster of performers to our venue. Together, MSG and Absolut will create unforgettable music experiences at the World's Most Famous Arena."

Pernod Ricard USA is a spirits and wine company in the U.S., and the largest subsidiary of Paris, France-based Pernod Ricard SA. In July, 2008, Pernod Ricard completed the acquisition of the iconic Absolut Vodka brand from the V&S Group, and Pernod Ricard USA.

Madison Square Garden is owned by Cablevision Systems Corp.

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