BALTIMORE (January 14, 2016) -- The New York Red Bulls took home four awards at the MLS year-end awards ceremony on Thursday evening in Baltimore. Red Bulls General Manager Marc de Grandpre was named Doug Hamilton Executive of the Year.
The Red Bulls also won the Ticketing Sales Innovation Award, presented by the National Sales Center (Red Membership Campaign) and the Social Media Activation of the Year Award (#NYisRED). The New York Red Bulls and Red Bull Arena also earned the Security Staff of the Year Award.
The Red Bulls, along with Orlando City SC, led all MLS clubs with four awards. The club, and club personnel, were also named finalists for four other awards, Corporate Partnerships Team of the Year, Marketing Executive of the Year (Joseph Stetson), Marisa Colaiano Community Relations Department of the Year presented by MLS WORKS, and Digital Lead of the Year (Scott Sandalow).
As General Manager, de Grandpre oversees all aspects of the business operations for the Red Bulls and Red Bull Arena. He rejoined the Red Bulls in April 2014, and led the club to its most successful year in franchise history in his first full season back with the organization. de Grandpre played an instrumental role for the organization in it's transition from Giants Stadium to Red Bull Arena. He previously served as the team's Managing Director from 2006-2008.
de Grandpre also helped spearhead the entry of Red Bull into North America where he served as the Director of Marketing for the global brand. The graduate of Southern New Hampshire University also held top marketing positions with international brands KIND Snacks and IMAX.
de Grandpre, wife Kim and two children reside in New Jersey.
The New York Red Bulls 2016 Red Membership campaign earned the Ticketing Sales Innovation Award. In the summer of 2015 the Red Bulls announced that all current and future season ticket accounts would become Red Memberships. The initiative focuses on recognizing fans as members of the Red Bulls family and not just someone who owns a ticket to a match. The membership program also adds value to the season ticket plan, including a new ticket trade program, and an exclusive Red Member jacket, which will serve as the first team's pre-match jacket in 2016. The Red Bulls will continue to offer Red Members exclusive events and opportunities throughout the season.
The New York Red Bulls also won Team Ticketing awards for both Full Season Tickets and Group Tickets.
The #NYisRED campaign helped drive awareness and build conversation leading up to the inaugural New York Derby against MLS expansion club New York City FC, giving the league's newest rivalry weight before the teams took the field. #NYisRED grew beyond the rivalry and became a season-long rallying point for Red Bulls fans that encompassed social media posts, digital content, helped drive ticket campaigns, and was carried with pride by all areas of the organization from the academy through the first team.
The security staff at Red Bull Arena was recognized for outstanding work throughout the MLS season, and during a number of other events the arena hosts throughout the season. Red Bull Arena was noted for its security plan for the Eastern Conference Final against Columbus Crew SC in November during a heightened security period worldwide. RBA was commended by both local and state authorities for a layered plan that allowed for heightened security measures to be put into place without dramatically affecting the guest experience. The organization also made a commitment in 2015 to staff training in the areas of security and guest services. Securitas provides the security and guest service staffing for Red Bull Arena.
The New York Red Bulls open the 2016 season at home on Sunday, March 6, when Toronto FC visits Red Bull Arena. For information on tickets, visit www.newyorkredbulls.com or call 1.877.727.6223.
