To be named to this list a company must demonstrate long-term stability, in-depth industry knowledge and expertise, steady growth and outstanding customer service. Empire Tickets was included because of its proven record of a strong return on investment for its customers and continued innovation in its ticketing solutions and services offerings.

"Being recognized for having a solid business model is always something we are proud of," says Donna Garcia, vice president of marketing and development for Empire Tickets. "But even more important to us is having a strong record of helping our customers achieve success, whether it is through enabling them to secure the best seats or building a brand that goes beyond good seat locations and ticket prices. We want to give an experience that lasts a lifetime, hence our tagline, 'Make life an event!' "

Catalyst Magazine's Top 50 Entrepreneurs list highlights entrepreneurs with companies that stand out amongst their peers, and shows a renewed interest in achieving excellence. This is the fourth year that Catalyst Magazine has published this list.

Empire Tickets leverages a comprehensive set of integrated processes and strategic alliances in order to streamline operations, drive costs down and increase the level of customer service that they provide to their clients. With all of these elements in place Empire Tickets is able to provide more than just tickets - they supply an event experience that is unparalleled in their industry, offering premium tickets to major entertainment events across the United States. They successfully retail tickets to individuals, corporations and groups - anyone who wants great seats.

Catalyst Magazine offers executive level decision makers in companies with revenues of $5 million to well over $300 million innovative solutions for growing businesses. More than 100,000 top-level executive entrepreneurs in Metropolitan Atlanta read Catalyst monthly.

Empire Tickets, Inc. is an Atlanta-based ticket broker specializing in premium seats to high-profile sporting events, concerts, and theatre productions across the United States. The company offers tickets for a broad spectrum of events, with a mission to consistently secure premium seats at popular entertainment events across the United States and provide customers with easy, reliable access to hard-to-get tickets. For more information, please visit www.empiretickets.com or call 1-800-725-0112.

The agreement positions Empire Tickets as the exclusive ticket broker for all ticket giveaways, on-site remote broadcasts and event promotions through 680 The Fan.

Empire Tickets will help 680 The Fan promote certain events by providing tickets for giveaways, auctions, on-site remotes and other promotions. It also will host a Web-based event calendar on the 680 The Fan Web site (www.680thefan.com). Updated monthly, the calendar will provide visitors with information on music, sports, theatre and other entertainment events.

According to Empire Tickets Founder and President Robbi Raitt, the partnership is part of an overall marketing push for the company, which wants to “Make Life an Event” for customers nationwide.

“Many of our customers are hard-core sports fans, just like listeners of 680 The Fan,” said Mr. Raitt, “so the partnership raises our visibility with a key target market. Plus, our overall corporate philosophies match-up very well. Empire Tickets and Dickey Broadcasting are both emerging companies with good momentum in our respective marketplaces and strong reputations for integrity. They are the type of company we want to partner with for the long-term, creating agreements that benefit everyone involved.”

Selecting a sole ticket broker with which to partner was easy for David Dickey, president and co-owner of Dickey Broadcasting Co., parent company of 680 The Fan.

“Empire Tickets stood out to us in the ticket brokerage business for its integrity, honesty, trustworthiness and reliability,” said Mr. Dickey. “It’s important to us to keep our listeners happy, and access to tickets for the hottest events in town will do just that.”

Dickey Broadcasting Company is an Atlanta-based, privately held broadcast company, headquartered in Buckhead, which owns and operates WCNN-AM (680 the Fan), WALR-AM and WFOM-AM (Talk Radio 1340). Dickey Broadcasting has been in business almost fifty years and has owned and operated stations in Atlanta since 1992. For more information, please visit www.680thefan.com or www.talkradio1340.com or call 404-688-0068.

“Classic Rock still rules the concert scene, with the Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen and Paul McCartney among the highest-grossing revenue acts of 2002,” said Empire Tickets Founder and President Robbi Raitt. “Z93 has been a very strategic partner for us over the years because they, like us, are focused on quality and innovation within their industry. By becoming preferred partners, we hope to leverage each others brand equity and continue over-delivering to our respective target markets.”

According to Mr. Raitt, the partnership is part of an overall marketing push for the company, which wants to “Make Life an Event” for customers nationwide.

Empire Tickets will help Z93 promote certain events by providing tickets and sponsoring a calendar for the Z93 Web site (www.z93.com). The calendar will be updated monthly and provide visitors with information on music, sports, theatre and other entertainment.

“We’re pleased to partner with such a reputable ticket source, and look forward to our now - official relationship with Empire Tickets,” said Rich Piombino, director of marketing and promotion for Z93. “This is a great match, as we both have a very similar corporate focus. As Z93 continues to forge that unique balance between tradition and evolution, we are excited to offer our listeners additional opportunities to tap into events and concerts they may have not been able to access before.”

Z93 is an Infinity Broadcasting radio station. Infinity Broadcasting is one of the nation’s largest radio groups, with 185 radio stations in over 40 markets. Infinity Broadcasting is a division of Viacom, which also includes media brands such as CBS, MTV, UPN, BET, VH1, Viacom Outdoor, Paramount Movies and BlockBuster Video.

Mrs. Pedersen will be responsible for evaluating, monitoring and developing all aspects of the corporation’s procedures, systems, growth and strategies. She will lead the strategic financial direction of Empire Tickets.

“Jessica will be a significant force in our overall growth strategy for Empire Tickets,” said Robbi Raitt, company founder and president. “We are excited about Jessica’s talent and dedication, which will make our vision become reality in this fast-paced environment.”

Mrs. Pedersen joined Empire Tickets from Napoli & Long, CPA, P.C. Previously, she served as a finance representative for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, one of the largest pediatric healthcare systems in the country.

A resident of Atlanta, GA., Mrs. Pedersen holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Georgia State University.

Empire Tickets, a national ticket brokerage firm based in Atlanta, has hired Donna Garcia as vice president of marketing and development. Her quick work is already being seen by thousands of commuters in Empire Tickets new billboard campaign, promising to “Make Life an Event in 2003” for Atlantans.

Under Mrs. Garcia’s leadership, Empire Tickets plans to advance its marketing efforts and raise its visibility nationwide.

“Donna is a great addition to our team, and joining us at a time when our business is really taking off,” said Robbi Raitt, company founder and president. “Empire Tickets strives to stand out in the ticket brokerage business for its integrity, honesty, trustworthiness and reliability. Donna’s experience and marketing expertise already are helping us communicate that this is what our brand is all about.”

Mrs. Garcia brings a particular talent for creative services, branding and marketing. She has more than twelve years of corporate marketing experience. Prior to joining the company, Mrs. Garcia successfully re-branded one of the country’s leading childcare franchise companies, Primrose School Franchising Company, creating a new brand strategy, image and campaigns.
She also previously helped direct the marketing effort (International and Domestic) for software developer Manhattan Associates, where her efforts helped take the company public at $15 a share through the development of new brand and marketing communications strategies. Mrs. Garcia also has held marketing management positions with Blockbuster Entertainment, and she spent three years as an International Marketing Specialist at the United States Embassy in London, England.

Mrs. Garcia graduated Summa Cum Laude with a master’s degree in communications from Southern Polytechnic State University. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in international relations from Stonehill College in Boston, MA, where she received the prestigious Novak Award for Excellence in International Studies and graduated with Cum Laude honors.