Charles Croce Appointed VP Marketing and PR at Kimmel Center

Anne Ewers, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia, announced the appointment of Charles Croce to the position of Vice President for Marketing and Public Relations at the Kimmel Center.

Croce comes from the Philadelphia Museum of Art, where he served in a similar position for over eight years. During his tenure, he has been responsible for creating and implementing the marketing communications and public relations campaigns for some of the most popular major exhibitions presented by the Museum, including Salvador Dali, Frida Kahlo, Van Gogh, Degas and the Dance, Manet and the Sea, as well as conceiving the successful format for the Museum's Friday night series Art After Five.

"We are delighted to welcome Charles to the Kimmel Center's senior management team," said Kimmel. "His background, knowledge of the arts and experience with major cultural institutions including the Art Museum make him a valued addition to our organization."

"I am honored and feel privileged to have been asked to join the Center's management, and am eager to work together with Anne, Natalye Paquin, the Board of Directors and the resident companies as they continue to increase the visibility, diversity and attendance at the Kimmel Center and the Academy of Music," Charles Croce explained in commenting on his appointment.

Kimmel Center Board Chairman William Hankowsky in commenting on Croce's appointment said, "Engaging a proven, experienced professional like Charles in this leadership role in our senior management will build upon and broaden our marketing efforts and we are very pleased to welcome him on board."

In his new position, Croce will oversee all advertising, promotions, public relations, sales and marketing for both the Kimmel Center Presents and Broadway at the Academy series, as well as organize and facilitate collaborations with the Center's resident companies. He will also work closely with the institutional advancement staff with corporate sponsorships.

A senior communications professional with a diverse background in the corporate, agency and not-for-profit sectors, Croce has over 25 years of experience in marketing communications, public relations and corporate sponsorship. Prior to joining the Philadelphia Museum of Art in 2000, he served as Director of Corporate Communications, North and South America, for Lufthansa German Airlines; Vice President, Public Relations at N.W. Ayer in New York City; and before that held several key positions in major arts organizations including Director of Public Relations for the New York Philharmonic; Director of Publicity for the Saratoga Performing Arts Center in Saratoga Springs, New York; and Director of Sales and Promotion for the Washington Opera at the Kennedy Center.

Croce resides in the Fairmount area of Philadelphia with his wife Anne Callahan, a professional cellist for the past 25 years.

Kimmel Center, Inc., a charitable, not-for-profit organization owns, manages, supports and maintains The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, which includes Verizon Hall, Perelman Theater, Innovation Studio and the Merck Arts Education Center. Kimmel Center, Inc. also manages the Academy of Music, owned by the Philadelphia Orchestra Association. The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts and the Academy of Music together serve as home to eight Resident Company performing arts organizations including: The Philadelphia Orchestra, Opera Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Ballet, Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, American Theater Arts for Youth, PHILADANCO, Philadelphia Chamber Music Society, and Peter Nero and the Philly Pops. Kimmel Center, Inc.'s mission also includes arts in education, community outreach and a rich diversity of programming through its Kimmel Center Presents and Broadway at the Academy series of performances.

For more information, visit: http://www.kimmelcenter.org

Photo courtesy Kimmel Center

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