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Spencer Ambrosius Named Ilitch Sports + Entertainment Senior Vice President of Ticket Sales & Service

Chris McGowan, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ilitch Sports + Entertainment (IS+E), announced today that Spencer Ambrosius has been promoted to Senior Vice President of Ticket Sales & Service. Ambrosius will lead all ticket and premium sales and retention efforts, in addition to private event sales and service across Ilitch Sports + Entertainment companies and properties, including the Detroit Red Wings and Detroit Tigers.

Ambrosius, who grew up in Traverse City, Mich., and previously held the title of Vice President of Ticket Sales & Service with the Detroit Red Wings, begins his new post immediately and reports directly to McGowan.

“Spencer has done a tremendous job leading the ticket sales and service team for the Red Wings over the past three seasons, and we’re pleased to expand his role to oversee all ticketing and private events functions across our sports and entertainment properties,” said McGowan. “He is respected across our industry, and as a native Michigander he has a great passion for our amazing fan base.”

In leading the Red Wings’ ticket sales and service teams the past three seasons, Ambrosius and his staff have accomplished several key benchmarks and implemented programs that engaged fans in highly impactful ways. Those include launching a management training program, and leading the rebrand of the Red Wings season ticket holder base as the “Winged Wheel Nation”.

His standout leadership has manifested in results as the fan base’s excitement has grown, as evidenced by the Red Wings’ ticketing team surpassing its revenue goal for the 2021-22 season and renewing a significant number of the club’s full and half-season ticket memberships for the upcoming campaign.

Ambrosius has more than 10 years of ticket sales and service experience in professional sports. Prior to joining IS+E, he served as General Manager at Legends, where he managed the agency’s work with the Los Angeles Chargers. He was also the Director of Ticket Sales and Service for Los Angeles FC (LAFC)/Legends, Manager of Inside Sales and Organizational Recruiting for the Cleveland Cavaliers and began his full-time career in various ticket sales and service roles with the Atlanta Hawks.

“I’m incredibly humbled and grateful for this opportunity to lead the ticketing side of our business as we continue to amaze, inspire and unite our fans and guests,” Ambrosius said. “It’s an exciting time for our organization and Red Wings and Tigers fans, and I’m looking forward to being a part of it for years to come.”

Ambrosius earned his Bachelor of Arts in marketing from Salve Regina University in Newport, RI, where he was a four-year letterwinner and quarterback on the football team. Ambrosius and his wife, Melissa, reside in Metro Detroit with their two young children, son, Max and daughter, Madison.

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Downtown Detroit Partnership Establishes Non-Profit Subsidiary to Administer Funding for the Development of Academic Research Building at the Detroit Center for Innovation

Non-profit, the Detroit Partnership for Innovation, to accept land and funding for the project, initiate the start of construction, set to break ground in 2023

Academic Research Building to be transferred to and operated by the University of Michigan upon completion

DPI to receive initial $100 million donation from foundation of Stephen Ross, contribution of land from Ilitch organization and $100 million investment by the state of Michigan

Downtown Detroit Partnership, Inc. (DDP), Related Companies and Olympia Development of Michigan today announced that DDP will serve in a fiduciary role for the Detroit Center for Innovation (DCI) by establishing a new non-profit organization, the Detroit Partnership for Innovation (DPI). The DPI will support the DCI by facilitating the funding and construction of the Academic Research Building. The DPI Board will be responsible for supporting the operations of the DCI. The Academic Research Building (ARB), which will form the cornerstone of the Detroit Center of Innovation, will be transferred upon completion from the non-profit to the University of Michigan to run its academic programming.

The Detroit Partnership for Innovation will receive an initial $100 million donation from the foundation of Stephen Ross, the donation of land from the Ilitch organization, the $100 million investment by the State of Michigan, as well as other donations in support of the construction of the ARB. In 2023, DPI will initiate the start of construction of the building.

The three-building DCI campus will be built in The District Detroit and is being anchored by this $250 million, 200,000 square foot world-class research and education center operated by the University of Michigan. Programs will focus on research and innovation, with the goal of supporting the economic development of Detroit and providing the state with a pipeline of talent. The DCI will also include a technology incubator, housing and green space, while providing a critical skills and educational pathway for students from Detroit Public Schools Community District and beyond. Additionally, Wayne State University and the University of Michigan are expected to explore programmatic partnerships through the DCI.

For 100 years, DDP has cultivated economic and social impact in Downtown Detroit and beyond by connecting private, public, philanthropic and civic sectors, providing stewardship of public spaces, executing innovative strategies and developing programs that engage and benefit all Detroiters. DDP has served as the parent organization of numerous affiliates that have contributed to building a more connected and vibrant Detroit, including MoGo Bike Share, Build Institute, the Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix, the Downtown Detroit Business Improvement Zone, the Detroit Experience Factory, Live Detroit, Spirit Plaza, M-1 RAIL and the 2006 NFL Super Bowl and more. These programs connect Downtown to the greater area through investment, mobility, education and community outreach.

“Detroit’s public, private and philanthropic leadership have recognized that, in most cases, we don’t need to recreate the depth and breadth of infrastructure that DDP represents. Instead, organizations can use DDP’s existing backbone, expertise and governance. One of the significant benefits DDP brings to opportunities such as the DCI is its ability to quickly and efficiently support investments, ideas and actions that address real needs that have resonating impacts throughout our community,” said Eric B. Larson, CEO of the Downtown Detroit Partnership.

“The DDP has long been a trusted fiduciary committed to ensuring that investments in Downtown Detroit work hard for Detroiters and nowhere is that more critically important than the realization of DCI,” said Stephen M. Ross, Chairman and Founder of Related Companies.

Christopher Ilitch praised the agreement and thanked the DDP for its dedication to Detroit.

“Thanks to our long, cooperative relationship, I know the Downtown Detroit Partnership is the right partner to manage the financial aspects of this philanthropic endeavor that will have a positive, transformational impact on Detroit and the region,” said Christopher Ilitch, President and CEO of Ilitch Holdings, Inc. “I’d like to thank the DDP team for their continued support of our hometown and for taking on this important responsibility.”

Mayor Duggan also expressed support for the creation of the DPI.

“The establishment of this new non-profit is an important part of what will take the vision of the Detroit Center for Innovation and its campus and make it a reality,” said Mayor Mike Duggan. “The DDP is the right organization to take on this central role and we appreciate Eric Larson’s partnership with Stephen Ross and Chris Ilitch to move this transformational project forward.”

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Behind The Scenes: Detroit Red Wings Media Day

Olympia Development and Related Companies Continue Community Engagement Activities With Tours of The District Detroit

Olympia Development and Related continue to actively engage stakeholders from the Detroit community to gather feedback on existing and potential future development. As part of these efforts, residents from Detroit City Council Districts 7 and 3 recently participated in special guided tours of The District Detroit. Community members, selected by Councilman Fred Durhal and Councilman Scott Benson, were shuttled to The District Detroit and visited new construction and historic renovation developments encompassing affordable and market-rate housing, higher education, office and entertainment venues.

“These tours are one way we engage with the community so that we are building cooperatively with Detroit residents and bringing the kind of inclusive development that meets community needs,” said Rian Barnhill, Vice President of Government and Community Relations at Olympia Development of Michigan.

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Each of the two tours included time for attendees to ask questions and speak their minds about what is important to them regarding future real estate development in Detroit. This important dialogue is a critical element of Olympia Development and Related’s inclusive development strategy.

“Talking with community leaders and residents helped identify affordable housing, education, employment, economic inclusion, environmental justice, and engagement as core values for our development,” said Ryan Friedrichs, Vice President of Development for Related. “These tours focus on the actions in those areas that will build the strongest bridges into Detroit’s neighborhoods.”

The tours of The District Detroit included stops at:

The Mike Ilitch School of Business at Wayne State University
Eddystone residences
Little Caesars Arena
Little Caesars world headquarters campus
The historic Fox Theatre

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At each stop, tour members engaged in two-way communication with experts from the development, as well as other senior leaders from both Olympia and Related. Additional tours are planned to reach more community members across Detroit.

By seeking and incorporating feedback from the community through tours and other methods, Olympia Development and Related will ensure the vision for The District Detroit reflects and supports local priorities that will influence how and when the development takes shape. Community conversations are exploring the core values and priorities of the purpose-driven development, including education, engagement, employment, economic inclusion and environmental justice.

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Little Caesars Honors Military Veterans Through Longstanding Programs

Little Caesars founder Mike Ilitch—a military veteran—instilled a deep appreciation for servicepeople within Little Caesars.

In 2006, Ilitch founded the Little Caesars Veterans Program, which provides veterans and Gold Star families financial incentives to open a Little Caesars franchise of their own. In addition to offering financial incentives, Little Caesars donates $10,000 to an organization of the franchisee’s choosing that supports veterans and active-duty service members.

In 2019, Little Caesars strengthened its commitment to Ilitch’s promise to help those who serve by partnering with the Charles Humphrey Keating IV (C4) Foundation, which offers customized neuroscience-based programs designed to help Navy SEAL families overcome the unique stressors that they endure.

The C4 Foundation was established after decorated Navy SEAL Charles Humphrey Keating IV (known by the nickname “C4”) was tragically killed in the line of duty in Telskuf, Iraq. His family created the nonprofit in honor of his memory and later acquired a 560-acre ranch in San Diego to serve as a sanctuary for SEALs and their families.

“It’s important to ensure that military families and service personnel have the time they need to reunite, reconnect and reestablish their bonds,” said Bryan Ketelhut, Director of U.S. Development at Little Caesars.

Recently, family and friends of C4 visited Detroit and were recognized by the Detroit Tigers and Little Caesars. As part of the event, C4’s fellow SEAL and friend, Kelly Cooper, threw the ceremonial first pitch of the July 27 game versus the San Diego Padres. “I’ve never done anything like this before,” said Cooper. “I hope I can bring awareness to the C4 foundation through this so I can spread the word on how wonderful, magical and extremely important this foundation and their mission is to our Navy SEAL families.”

C4 was an accomplished athlete who was passionate about family and community. He decided to join the military after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. He was given the nation’s second-highest award for extraordinary valor in combat—for his courageous actions during an attack two months before his death.

“It’s our hope that our charitable donations, along with spreading awareness of this great organization, will help elevate the C4 Foundation and its network of elite warriors,” said Ketelhut. “We’re honored to support a program dedicated to helping people who have given us so much.”

Today, there are hundreds of veteran-owned Little Caesars stores across the country. The latest store to open through the Veterans Program is owned by military veterans Mechelle and Thomas Fitzgerald in Marshfield, Missouri.

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