FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 7, 2015
CONTACT:
Kenneth Gavin
Archdiocese of Philadelphia
215.587.3747 (office)
610.291.0838 (cell)
Meg Kane
Brian Communications
484.385.2938 (office)
215.704.4745 (cell)
Susan Blond
Susan Blond Group Inc.
ESM Productions
212.333.7728 ext. 101
SBlond@susanblondgroupinc.com
PRESS RELEASE
World Meeting of Families – Philadelphia 2015 Appoints ESM Productions
as Event Producer for Papal Events on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia anticipates two million visitors for Pope Francis’ visit
Philadelphia, PA (April 7, 2015) – World Meeting of Families – Philadelphia 2015 today announced the
appointment of ESM Productions, a premier, full-service event production company specializing in the
planning and execution of high-profile events, as the event producer for the September 2015 Papal events
being held on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. ESM Productions will be responsible for managing and
executing all facets of the two closing events for the Eighth World Meeting of Families in which Pope Francis
will be in attendance. The closing events include the Festival of Families, an intercultural celebration of family
life around the world, to be held on Saturday, September 26, and a Papal Mass to be held on Sunday, September
27.
ESM Productions brings more than 25 years of experience to the World Meeting of Families-Philadelphia 2015.
The firm specializes in a concept-to-completion approach for live events, design and new media production.
Led by President and Co-Founder, Scott Mirkin – one of America’s most successful event producers – ESM has
produced some of the highest-profile, large-scale events across the nation including presidential events,
historic gatherings, music variety television, and festivals. In Philadelphia alone, ESM Productions has played
an integral role in various events held on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and throughout the city. This
experience makes them uniquely qualified to execute the greatly anticipated World Meeting of Families Papal
events on the Parkway.
“In under seven months, Pope Francis will be standing on the iconic Benjamin Franklin Parkway overlooking
the millions who come together to share in this once-in-a-lifetime moment,” said Donna Crilley Farrell,
executive director of the World Meeting of Families – Philadelphia 2015. “It will truly be the largest event in
Philadelphia’s modern history and to ensure its flawless success, we enlisted the top tier talents of Scott Mirkin
and ESM Productions. With an extensive resume of high-profile event execution, there is no doubt in my mind
that ESM will deliver an outstanding experience for every single person on the Parkway.”
Co-sponsored by the Holy See’s Pontifical Council for the Family and the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, the World
Meeting of Families is a triennial global event that seeks to strengthen the sacred bonds of family across the
globe and highlight its intrinsic value to the good of society. This international gathering will welcome Pope
Francis to the United States for the first time in his Papacy. Being held in the United States for the first time
ever, the official theme for the 2015 World Meeting of Families is “Love is Our Mission: The Family Fully
Alive.”
“Being tasked with the responsibility to plan and execute the Papal events on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway
for the 2015 World Meeting of Families is an absolute honor and privilege,” said Mr. Mirkin. “When Pope John
Paul II celebrated Mass in Philadelphia’s Logan Circle in 1979, it was an event unlike any the city had ever seen
and one that people still talk about with reverence and affection to this day. Now, 35 years later, Philadelphia
will once again welcome and embrace the Holy Father, and ESM Productions is fully committed to producing
two inspiring events that every Philadelphian will be proud of – and that every visitor in attendance will never
forget.”
For more information regarding the World Meeting of Families 2015, please visit www.WorldMeeting2015.org.
You can also engage the World Meeting of Families – Philadelphia on Facebook (World Meeting of Families
2015) (Encuentro Mundial de las Familias – Filadelfia 2015), Twitter (@WMF2015) (@WMF2015ES) and
Instagram (WMF2015).
About ESM Productions
ESM Productions is a nationally recognized live event, design and media production company in Philadelphia,
PA. ESM has been at the helm of some of the highest profile events in the United States. From concept to
completion, ESM delivers results on stage, on screen and online.
About World Meetings of Families
Beginning with 1994, The Year of the Family, the Pontifical Council for the Family has been responsible for
organizing the World Meetings of Families in Rome (1994); Rio de Janeiro (1997); Rome (2000); Manila
(2003); Valencia (2006); Mexico City (2009); Milan (2012); and now, Philadelphia (2015). Since its inception
by Saint John Paul II, the World Meeting of Families has sought to strengthen the sacred bonds of family across
the globe.
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