Philadelphia and the Countryside - Press Room

The Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC) today announced that WTXF-FOX 29 will be the official media sponsor of its Historic Philadelphia campaign, an effort that promotes the lively area between Front to 7^th Streets and Race to Spruce Streets. The partnership gives the attractions, restaurants, galleries and shops in the city’s most historic area—nearing the end of a $300 million transformation—television exposure during the busy summer tourism season and provides FOX 29 with a chance to tout the neighborhood in which its station is located.

Here’s a look at what the partnership includes:

• One half-hour special produced by FOX 29 about Historic Philadelphia that will include GPTMC’s 30-second commercial
• Live weather remotes in Historic Philadelphia during “Good Day Philadelphia” with Sue Serio and “The FOX 29 News at Five” with John Bolaris
• Video vignettes featuring neighborhood attractions to run from May 23 through fall
• Appearances by “Good Day Philadelphia” co-hosts John Anderson and Sheinelle Jones in the Historic Philadelphia video, which runs on the trolley itself and on the Visitor Channel accessible in 10,000 hotel rooms
• Prominent station identification on the Historic Philadelphia Trolley Loop and in Historic Philadelphia collateral materials
• A dedicated Web page for the area at myfoxphilly.com, including a link to gophila.com/history

“We are delighted to team up with FOX 29 Philadelphia to promote the beautiful neighborhoods of Historic Philadelphia,” said Meryl Levitz, president and CEO, GPTMC. “We developed this year-long partnership to encourage residents to be tourists in their own town. Once in the area, visitors are within easy walking distance—or a quick trolley ride—of historic sights, restaurants, shops, galleries and more.”

“FOX 29 is thrilled to partner with GPTMC to promote Historic Philadelphia,” said Mike Renda, vice president and general manager, WTXF-FOX 29. “It’s exciting coming to work each day in the birthplace of America, and many of our viewers don’t get the opportunity to experience that on a daily basis. Our historic attractions aren’t just for out-of-towners. With gas prices at an all-time high, it’s the perfect time for locals to check out what Historic Philadelphia has to offer. We’ll show our viewers where to go and what to do all summer long.”

FOX 29 (WTXF-TV) is known for popular programming such as “American Idol,” “The Simpsons,” “24” and “House.” It launched the tri-state area’s first hour-long, prime time newscast, “FOX 29 News At Ten” in 1986. Additional local programming includes “Good Day Philadelphia,” the area’s only all-local, all-live, morning program, weekdays from 5-9 a.m., “First News at 11 on FOX 29” weekdays from 11 to 11:30 a.m., “The FOX 29 News at Five,” weekdays from 5 to 6 p.m. and “The FOX 29 News at Six,” Saturdays and Sundays at 6 p.m. The FOX Television Stations group is one of the nation’s largest owned-and-operated network broadcast groups, comprising 35 stations in 26 markets and covering nearly 45% of U.S. television homes. This includes six duopolies in the top 10 markets: New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, Washington D.C. and Houston; as well as duopolies in Minneapolis, Phoenix and Orlando. For more information about FOX 29, visit our Web site at www.myfoxphilly.com.

The Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC) makes Philadelphia and The Countryside® a premier destination through marketing and image building that increases business and promotes the region’s vitality. For more information about travel to Philadelphia, visit www.gophila.com or call the Independence Visitor Center, located in Independence National Historical Park, at (800) 537-7676.

Contact(s):

• Eric Cortes, (215) 599-0790