Comcast and The Philly POPS Partner to Present 'Salute Series' to Honor Vets

The Philly POPS Salute Series recognizes those who dedicate themselves to a life of service and commitment by celebrating their service on holidays of American tradition. The Salute Series includes large-scale, free performances on Memorial Day, July 3 on Independence Mall, July 4 at Philadelphia's Independence Day morning ceremony and evening concert, Veterans Day ceremonies at several locations throughout the city, and December's Third Annual Comcast NBCUniversal I'll Be Home for Christmas: A Salute to the Military and First Responders benefit concert. Salute performances recognize the sacrifice of those dedicated to a collective identity of American values and tradition, often in locations of particular resonance to those who attend. Salute concerts feature the presentation of the colors, the Star Spangled Banner and other patriotic music. Over 50,000 are expected to attend Salute Series events in 2016-17 - the largest audience for any Philly POPS concert series.

In 2015, Comcast NBCUniversal committed to hiring 10,000 veterans, National Guard and Reserve members, and military spouses by the end of 2017. Members of the military community work in a variety of positions across all levels of the organization, including network engineering, technology, operations, theme parks and resorts, programming, customer service, marketing, human resources, and other careers. The company fosters a culture that supports veterans and reservists within its ranks, including enhanced leave and health care policies for service members, and employee resource groups that offer veterans mentoring and professional/personal development.

"The Philly POPS is honored to have the support of Comcast NBCUniversal, a company that stands out among private-sector businesses for its commitment to engage the military community and hire thousands of veterans and reservists," said Frank Giordano, President and CEO, Philly POPS. "We see a perfect fit with our Salute Series' goal of creating moments of support and recognition for these exemplary members of our community."

"The Philly POPS has sustained its commitment to recognizing the military community and first responders for many years, and we are pleased to partner with the POPS as the sponsor of the Salute Series again this year," said Brigadier General (Retired) Carol Eggert, Vice President, Military and Veteran Affairs at Comcast. "Like Philly POPS, we share a commitment to give back to those who serve, and recognize that service matters."

In December 2015, Comcast NBCUniversal signed on as Key Sponsor of the Salute Series in time for last year's I'll Be Home for Christmas benefit concert at which the Philly POPS hosts over 2,000 members of the military, police and fire departments, and their families on opening night of its popular Christmas series. This year's Presenting Sponsorship represents an upgrade in support and commitment to the Salute Series, after a successful year of partnership that included a first annual Memorial Salute at the Mann Center and three POPS appearances during Independence Week.

In March 2016, Brigadier General (Retired) Eggert joined the Philly POPS Board of Directors. Eggert provides strategic leadership to Comcast NBCUniversal's programs and outreach that engage the military and veteran community. She plays a vital role on the POPS Board in identifying opportunities to recognize and support veterans and service members.

On July 19, Comcast NBCUniversal hosted the Philly POPS's third annual Christmas in July event at Comcast Center in Philadelphia. The Philly POPS, in coordination with Comcast NBCUniversal, Amazon, L'Oréal, National HR and a number of private donors, gave hundreds of bicycles and helmets to children of members of the military, Philadelphia police and fire departments.

The Salute Series is made possible by Comcast NBCUniversal, John Templeton Foundation, Key Bank, George Bochetto and Mr. and Mrs. Manning Smith, along with other private donations. The Salute Series is also supported by partnerships with the City of Philadelphia, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, the Philadelphia Police Department, the Philadelphia Fire Department, the USO, the Salute Coalition, Visit Philly, PHL CVB, and a large number of veterans organizations throughout the tristate area.

About The Philly POPS
The Philly POPS, the largest standalone pops orchestra in the United States, delights audiences with the inspired performance of American popular music. The POPS celebrates this distinctive musical heritage through an expanding repertoire of innovative concert presentations and a robust set of educational and engagement initiatives.

Now in its 38th season, the official POPS orchestra of Pennsylvania serves a consistently growing audience of over 100,000 annually. Music Director Michael Krajewski and the 65-piece Philly POPS orchestra keeps listeners tapping their toes to an impressive repertoire of songs from American traditions of music up through today's chart toppers.

Outside the concert hall, Salute Series performances - including POPS on Independence on July 3 and the I'll Be Home for Christmas: A Salute to the Military and First Responders - celebrate the American tradition of service around important national holidays; POPS in Schools enhances music education for Philadelphia School District students; and POPS Outside brings POPS music to local communities.

The Philly POPS performs as a founding resident company of The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, and at venues throughout the mid-Atlantic region.

About Comcast Corporation

Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company with two primary businesses, Comcast Cable and NBCUniversal. Comcast Cable is one of the nation's largest video, high-speed Internet and phone providers to residential customers under the XFINITY brand and also provides these services to businesses. NBCUniversal operates news, entertainment and sports cable networks, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, television production operations, television station groups, Universal Pictures and Universal Parks and Resorts. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information.