GlobalHue tapped by largest African-American developer for N.Y. gaming venue pitch

(September 3, 2009) GlobalHue, the nation's largest minority-owned marketing firm, has been tapped as the lead marketing firm for the proposed MGM Grand at Aqueduct in Queens, New York, it was announced today by R. Donahue Peebles, the lead developer in the team vying for the right to build New York City's first gaming venue. The team also includes MGM MIRAGE as operator of the facility, Perini Building Company and Harbinger Capital Partners.

"The MGM Grand at Aqueduct will be one of New York's finest entertainment destinations and will be made possible through the collaboration of a world-class team as diverse as Queens," said R. Donahue Peebles, CEO of The Peebles Corporation, the largest African-American-owned real estate development company in North America."

"Furthermore, the addition of GlobalHue enhances the team with one of the leading marketing firms in the world which also happens to be a premier MWBE firm. They are an award-winning company with the expertise to effectively present the MGM Grand to a diverse audience. We are delighted to have them with us. I am committed to assembling a world-class team with diverse sensibilities. That is what our country and the Queens community are about. It is what our team stands for and intends to deliver."

"We are excited about the opportunity to apply our strategic thinking, innovative tactics, brilliant creative skills and significant experience with the MGM Grand brand to ensure the success of the MGM Grand at Aqueduct," said Don Coleman, Chairman and CEO of GlobalHue. "We have built our business and reputation on ability, creativity and expertise in reaching diverse audiences. Much of GlobalHue's success comes from the firm's diverse make up, which is a perfect complement to the diversity of the Peebles-led team."

GlobalHue boasts several blue-chip clients, including Verizon, Walmart, Chrysler LLC, U.S. Navy, Bermuda Department of Tourism, U.S. Census Bureau, FedEx, MGM Grand Detroit and Subway. The firm has market expertise reaching out to African-American, Hispanic, Asian American, urban and youth consumers. GlobalHue's largest office is located in New York City with other offices in Los Angeles and Detroit.

The addition of GlobalHue is the latest step taken by R. Donahue Peebles in demonstrating the team's commitment to significant MWBE participation.

Last week Peebles announced the innovative "Community First" initiative; a bold commitment to job creation for minority and women-owned businesses as well as Queens' residents and companies. The multi-faceted initiative will create thousands of jobs, boost the local economy, and offer growth opportunities to local, small, minority and women-owned companies that deserve opportunity.

Elements of the plan include priority consideration to local businesses for bidding to supply many of the goods and services for construction of the $550 million mixed-use development and establishment of a project labor agreement that achieves significant participation of qualified LBE and MWBE firms in the construction and operation of the facility with an aggressive target of 40 percent participation.

In addition to creating nearly 4,000 construction and permanent jobs, MGM Grand at Aqueduct will produce approximately $17 billion in revenue for the State of New York and $5 billion for support of the horse racing industry over the initial 30 years.

The MGM Grand at Aqueduct complex will ultimately include a gaming facility with 4,500 video lottery terminals, an upscale, full-service hotel, a business conference center, an event center and dining facilities at various price points, all of which will be available to the community.


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