1 00:00:03,960 --> 00:00:08,309 Audio: Thank you, New York. Today we're reminded of the power 2 00:00:08,309 --> 00:00:13,139 Audio: of community and the power of coming together. Athletes, on 3 00:00:13,139 --> 00:00:18,630 Audio: your mark. The first woman to finish for the second 4 00:00:18,630 --> 00:00:22,410 Audio: straight year here in the New York City Marathon is Miki Gorman, 5 00:00:22,410 --> 00:00:26,189 Audio: a smiling Miki Gorman. And why not? 2: 29:30, the 6 00:00:26,189 --> 00:00:29,939 Audio: time for (inaudible) Look at the emotion of Shalane Flanagan as 7 00:00:29,940 --> 00:00:33,389 Audio: she comes to the line. Pointing to his chest, pointing 8 00:00:33,389 --> 00:00:39,989 Audio: to the USA he so proudly wears across his chest. 9 00:00:39,989 --> 00:00:44,001 Audio: A great day for (inaudible) 10 00:00:44,070 --> 00:00:47,670 Rob Simmelkjaer: Hey, everybody, and welcome to another episode of Set the 11 00:00:47,670 --> 00:00:50,880 Rob Simmelkjaer: Pace, the official podcast of New York Road Runners, presented 12 00:00:50,880 --> 00:00:53,639 Rob Simmelkjaer: by Peloton. I'm the host of Set the Pace and 13 00:00:53,639 --> 00:00:57,210 Rob Simmelkjaer: the CEO of New York Road Runners, Rob Simmelkjaer, and we 14 00:00:57,210 --> 00:01:00,780 Rob Simmelkjaer: are missing my co- host, Becs Gentry. She's off doing 15 00:01:00,870 --> 00:01:04,589 Rob Simmelkjaer: fancy things, traveling, having a great time. We miss Becs. 16 00:01:04,709 --> 00:01:06,809 Rob Simmelkjaer: She'll be back next week, but I'm going to try 17 00:01:06,809 --> 00:01:09,119 Rob Simmelkjaer: to carry the load again here this week for a 18 00:01:09,120 --> 00:01:12,150 Rob Simmelkjaer: very special episode of Set The Pace. We are here 19 00:01:12,150 --> 00:01:15,390 Rob Simmelkjaer: with a live studio audience in the headquarters of one 20 00:01:15,390 --> 00:01:18,390 Rob Simmelkjaer: of our amazing partners, Peloton. I know many of you 21 00:01:18,390 --> 00:01:21,689 Rob Simmelkjaer: out there are Peloton users and riders, and so we're 22 00:01:21,690 --> 00:01:24,450 Rob Simmelkjaer: so thrilled to be here live at Peloton with this 23 00:01:24,450 --> 00:01:30,569 Rob Simmelkjaer: great audience. Say hi, everybody. Say hi, audience. Absolutely. You 24 00:01:30,569 --> 00:01:33,240 Rob Simmelkjaer: know, June is a big, big month from New York 25 00:01:33,240 --> 00:01:36,959 Rob Simmelkjaer: Road Runners. We've got four big races, including, of course, 26 00:01:36,959 --> 00:01:41,009 Rob Simmelkjaer: the MasterCard, New York Mini 10K, and coming up this 27 00:01:41,010 --> 00:01:44,910 Rob Simmelkjaer: weekend, the Citizens Queens 10K. But even with over 40 28 00:01:44,910 --> 00:01:47,549 Rob Simmelkjaer: events a year, the TCS New York City Marathon is 29 00:01:47,549 --> 00:01:50,820 Rob Simmelkjaer: always on our minds. And so today we're actually recording 30 00:01:50,820 --> 00:01:54,600 Rob Simmelkjaer: this episode in the middle of our annual TCS New 31 00:01:54,600 --> 00:01:58,709 Rob Simmelkjaer: York City Marathon Partner Forum. So we're talking marathon in 32 00:01:58,710 --> 00:02:01,530 Rob Simmelkjaer: June. And for any of you who have run the marathon, and 33 00:02:01,770 --> 00:02:03,719 Rob Simmelkjaer: I know all of your listeners out there, all of 34 00:02:03,719 --> 00:02:05,580 Rob Simmelkjaer: you, a lot of you are running it or you're 35 00:02:05,580 --> 00:02:08,310 Rob Simmelkjaer: training for it, at some point, you'll run past a 36 00:02:08,310 --> 00:02:11,820 Rob Simmelkjaer: bunch of logos. You'll see all these companies on the 37 00:02:11,820 --> 00:02:14,550 Rob Simmelkjaer: side of the course and probably not give that a 38 00:02:14,550 --> 00:02:17,518 Rob Simmelkjaer: lot of thought. And that's okay. You're running a marathon, 39 00:02:17,520 --> 00:02:21,120 Rob Simmelkjaer: we understand that. But behind every single one of those 40 00:02:21,120 --> 00:02:25,139 Rob Simmelkjaer: logos is an incredible commitment to what you are doing 41 00:02:25,410 --> 00:02:29,130 Rob Simmelkjaer: and, frankly, a commitment that is allowing you to do 42 00:02:29,130 --> 00:02:31,590 Rob Simmelkjaer: what you're doing and run the TCS New York City 43 00:02:31,590 --> 00:02:35,008 Rob Simmelkjaer: Marathon. Because we would not have an event like this 44 00:02:35,190 --> 00:02:37,710 Rob Simmelkjaer: if it weren't for the incredible partnership of some of 45 00:02:37,710 --> 00:02:40,379 Rob Simmelkjaer: these brands that we work with year in and year 46 00:02:40,379 --> 00:02:42,960 Rob Simmelkjaer: out. So today we're actually going to talk to three 47 00:02:42,960 --> 00:02:45,960 Rob Simmelkjaer: of the people from those partners who make everything we 48 00:02:45,960 --> 00:02:49,079 Rob Simmelkjaer: do possible and, of course, there is so much passion 49 00:02:49,110 --> 00:02:52,110 Rob Simmelkjaer: in each of those organizations for the sport of running. 50 00:02:52,110 --> 00:02:54,000 Rob Simmelkjaer: So I'm so thrilled to have with us three of 51 00:02:54,000 --> 00:02:57,389 Rob Simmelkjaer: our partners, Anne Valentzas, who's the Senior Vice President of 52 00:02:57,389 --> 00:03:01,079 Rob Simmelkjaer: Consumer Marketing and Sponsorships for MasterCard. Big hand for Anne. 53 00:03:01,139 --> 00:03:01,828 Anne Valentzas: Hi, Rob. 54 00:03:04,830 --> 00:03:09,059 Rob Simmelkjaer: Tom Carleo, who's the Vice President of Running, North America 55 00:03:09,059 --> 00:03:15,690 Rob Simmelkjaer: for New Balance. Hey, Tom. And one of our newest 56 00:03:15,690 --> 00:03:19,590 Rob Simmelkjaer: partners, Denise Wolffs. She's the Senior Vice President and Director 57 00:03:19,590 --> 00:03:23,460 Rob Simmelkjaer: of Sponsorships and Experiential Marketing and Internal Events for the 58 00:03:23,460 --> 00:03:27,570 Rob Simmelkjaer: sponsor of The Citizens Queens 10K, Citizens. Hey, Denise. 59 00:03:27,840 --> 00:03:28,620 Denise Wolffs: Hello, everybody. 60 00:03:30,660 --> 00:03:33,719 Rob Simmelkjaer: Thank you. It's Audioland out there so you can't see, 61 00:03:33,719 --> 00:03:37,410 Rob Simmelkjaer: but Denise is wearing a Citizens' green sweater vest and 62 00:03:37,410 --> 00:03:40,500 Rob Simmelkjaer: a Citizen's green folder as well so we're thrilled. Oh, and 63 00:03:40,500 --> 00:03:43,080 Rob Simmelkjaer: the sneakers have green, so it's all about green at 64 00:03:43,080 --> 00:03:45,960 Rob Simmelkjaer: Citizens. And Denise, we're going to start with you actually 65 00:03:45,960 --> 00:03:49,738 Rob Simmelkjaer: on this since it's the week of the Citizens Queens 10K 66 00:03:49,740 --> 00:03:53,159 Rob Simmelkjaer: as we dropped this podcast. You are, like me, a 67 00:03:53,160 --> 00:03:56,850 Rob Simmelkjaer: longtime New Yorker, but last year was actually your first 68 00:03:56,850 --> 00:04:00,600 Rob Simmelkjaer: time ever actually attending the TCS New York City Marathon 69 00:04:00,960 --> 00:04:04,290 Rob Simmelkjaer: in person. What was it like for you to be 70 00:04:04,290 --> 00:04:06,569 Rob Simmelkjaer: there for the first time as a partner and a 71 00:04:06,570 --> 00:04:07,980 Rob Simmelkjaer: part of this event? 72 00:04:08,820 --> 00:04:10,740 Denise Wolffs: That's a great question, Rob. I'm going to take it 73 00:04:10,740 --> 00:04:12,900 Denise Wolffs: back a little bit, if you don't mind. I just 74 00:04:12,900 --> 00:04:15,240 Denise Wolffs: want to remind people if you don't know that Citizens 75 00:04:15,240 --> 00:04:18,960 Denise Wolffs: became a sponsor of New York Road Runners and the TCS 76 00:04:18,960 --> 00:04:21,808 Denise Wolffs: New York City Marathon last August, you know what that 77 00:04:21,809 --> 00:04:26,969 Denise Wolffs: meant? Only three months until Marathon Sunday. We kept saying 78 00:04:26,969 --> 00:04:29,159 Denise Wolffs: it was a sprint, not a marathon, and it really 79 00:04:29,160 --> 00:04:31,230 Denise Wolffs: was, and we did it. We wanted to show up, 80 00:04:31,230 --> 00:04:33,900 Denise Wolffs: glow green, tell her a story about being along the 81 00:04:33,900 --> 00:04:37,589 Denise Wolffs: route and in your neighborhood and we did. So yes, 82 00:04:37,890 --> 00:04:42,150 Denise Wolffs: last year on November 5th, it was 4: 45 in the morning. I was 83 00:04:42,150 --> 00:04:47,160 Denise Wolffs: cold, I was tired, I had no coffee. My colleague 84 00:04:47,160 --> 00:04:49,380 Denise Wolffs: Jeff out there said to me, " Come on, it's time 85 00:04:49,380 --> 00:04:52,770 Denise Wolffs: to go." We went from Manhattan to Staten Island at 4: 86 00:04:52,770 --> 00:04:57,750 Denise Wolffs: 45 in the morning. We got there and, oh my 87 00:04:57,839 --> 00:05:03,450 Denise Wolffs: goodness, Christine, Julie and everybody at New York Road Runners said, " 88 00:05:03,450 --> 00:05:05,430 Denise Wolffs: Denise, I know you're a New Yorker and you haven't 89 00:05:05,430 --> 00:05:07,860 Denise Wolffs: seen it. Get out there, see it and you're not 90 00:05:07,860 --> 00:05:10,260 Denise Wolffs: going to believe it." I don't know if I want 91 00:05:10,260 --> 00:05:12,270 Denise Wolffs: to smile or I want to cry, but when I 92 00:05:12,420 --> 00:05:15,450 Denise Wolffs: was at the starting line and I saw those Citizens 93 00:05:15,450 --> 00:05:18,509 Denise Wolffs: green buses flanking the starting line, I've got to tell 94 00:05:18,509 --> 00:05:21,238 Denise Wolffs: you, it's like nothing else I've ever seen or done 95 00:05:21,240 --> 00:05:22,830 Denise Wolffs: before. Terrific. 96 00:05:23,400 --> 00:05:26,640 Rob Simmelkjaer: And, Denise, not only did you guys show up, you 97 00:05:26,640 --> 00:05:28,529 Rob Simmelkjaer: showed up in such a big way. I think people 98 00:05:28,529 --> 00:05:30,870 Rob Simmelkjaer: who were running the marathon, they had to notice Citizens. 99 00:05:30,870 --> 00:05:33,360 Rob Simmelkjaer: It was hard not to notice you guys last year, 100 00:05:33,360 --> 00:05:36,000 Rob Simmelkjaer: so thank you for being a part of this community. 101 00:05:36,300 --> 00:05:39,450 Rob Simmelkjaer: Anne, not only are you involved in this as an 102 00:05:39,450 --> 00:05:42,029 Rob Simmelkjaer: executive at MasterCard, but you're involved as a runner. You 103 00:05:42,029 --> 00:05:45,870 Rob Simmelkjaer: are a pretty serious runner yourself. What has it been 104 00:05:45,870 --> 00:05:48,510 Rob Simmelkjaer: like for you, not just as a MasterCard employee, but 105 00:05:48,510 --> 00:05:50,940 Rob Simmelkjaer: as a runner to get to that finish line of 106 00:05:50,940 --> 00:05:53,459 Rob Simmelkjaer: a marathon, to hear all those people cheering for you? 107 00:05:54,299 --> 00:05:57,238 Anne Valentzas: I'll tell you what, Rob, there is nothing like the 108 00:05:57,240 --> 00:06:00,930 Anne Valentzas: TCS New York City Marathon and, for me, it's less 109 00:06:00,930 --> 00:06:05,190 Anne Valentzas: about the finish line and more about the spectators all 110 00:06:05,190 --> 00:06:10,589 Anne Valentzas: along the way. There are spectators lining the entire 26. 111 00:06:10,589 --> 00:06:15,089 Anne Valentzas: 2 miles, and in each neighborhood there's a different personality 112 00:06:15,089 --> 00:06:19,950 Anne Valentzas: to these spectators. But what's consistent is the energy. They're 113 00:06:19,950 --> 00:06:23,040 Anne Valentzas: out there and they're cheering for everybody. I always wear 114 00:06:23,250 --> 00:06:26,400 Anne Valentzas: my name on my shirt and I genuinely feel as 115 00:06:26,400 --> 00:06:30,330 Anne Valentzas: if they are cheering for me individually and hoping for 116 00:06:30,330 --> 00:06:34,020 Anne Valentzas: my success. It's a very powerful, incredible race. 117 00:06:34,920 --> 00:06:38,640 Rob Simmelkjaer: Tom, from New Balance, it probably won't surprise people to 118 00:06:38,640 --> 00:06:42,300 Rob Simmelkjaer: hear that someone, who dedicated their career to a place 119 00:06:42,300 --> 00:06:45,240 Rob Simmelkjaer: like New Balance and the sport of running, started as 120 00:06:45,240 --> 00:06:50,219 Rob Simmelkjaer: a pretty serious runner yourself. You actually qualified for the 121 00:06:50,219 --> 00:06:56,250 Rob Simmelkjaer: 1500 meters at the 1988 Olympics trial, so running is really 122 00:06:56,250 --> 00:07:01,080 Rob Simmelkjaer: in your bones, big time. How does it feel for 123 00:07:01,080 --> 00:07:04,020 Rob Simmelkjaer: you to stay a part of this and to be 124 00:07:04,020 --> 00:07:06,359 Rob Simmelkjaer: a part of the TCS New York City Marathon with 125 00:07:06,360 --> 00:07:07,169 Rob Simmelkjaer: New Balance? 126 00:07:08,610 --> 00:07:12,270 Tom Carleo: Yeah. So like you said, I ran the 1500 meters, 127 00:07:12,630 --> 00:07:16,530 Tom Carleo: which is much shorter than a marathon and so I 128 00:07:16,530 --> 00:07:19,260 Tom Carleo: have been around the New York City Marathon since the 129 00:07:19,260 --> 00:07:23,819 Tom Carleo: early '90s. I've worked for multiple brands over the years 130 00:07:23,820 --> 00:07:26,160 Tom Carleo: and I've been lucky enough to have been to pretty 131 00:07:26,160 --> 00:07:28,920 Tom Carleo: much all the majors and many of the other races 132 00:07:28,920 --> 00:07:32,490 Tom Carleo: around the world and there's truly nothing like New York. 133 00:07:32,580 --> 00:07:35,190 Tom Carleo: I think that's been said quite a bit here today, 134 00:07:35,190 --> 00:07:38,130 Tom Carleo: but there's nothing like New York, just based on everything 135 00:07:38,130 --> 00:07:41,010 Tom Carleo: we talked about. I have a family of runners, I 136 00:07:41,010 --> 00:07:43,139 Tom Carleo: have three boys that run in college or ran in 137 00:07:43,139 --> 00:07:48,030 Tom Carleo: college. My wife ran in high school. Watching how motivated 138 00:07:48,060 --> 00:07:52,470 Tom Carleo: people get at these marathons to continue moving, the individual 139 00:07:52,470 --> 00:07:56,729 Tom Carleo: stories are incredible at every marathon around the world, every half- 140 00:07:56,730 --> 00:07:59,580 Tom Carleo: marathon, around the world. But when you take all of 141 00:07:59,580 --> 00:08:03,268 Tom Carleo: that time and energy and passion and discipline that the 142 00:08:03,270 --> 00:08:05,459 Tom Carleo: runners had to go through to get to that starting 143 00:08:05,459 --> 00:08:08,160 Tom Carleo: line and then you drop those stories into New York 144 00:08:08,160 --> 00:08:11,130 Tom Carleo: City that truly like the melting pot of the world, 145 00:08:11,280 --> 00:08:13,860 Tom Carleo: there's really nothing like it. So it's been a blast 146 00:08:13,860 --> 00:08:17,639 Tom Carleo: now this last seven, eight years to be at this 147 00:08:17,639 --> 00:08:22,049 Tom Carleo: foundation level partnership with New York Road Runners, simply because 148 00:08:22,049 --> 00:08:25,080 Tom Carleo: we can participate in the marathon, but also really weave 149 00:08:25,080 --> 00:08:28,860 Tom Carleo: ourselves into all the events that happen throughout the year. 150 00:08:28,860 --> 00:08:33,210 Tom Carleo: So incredible for me. I still have no interest in 151 00:08:33,210 --> 00:08:37,020 Tom Carleo: actually running a marathon, but I get goosebumps every time 152 00:08:37,020 --> 00:08:39,510 Tom Carleo: I see the crowds and hear the stories. 153 00:08:40,320 --> 00:08:43,050 Rob Simmelkjaer: Tom, I often joke around that one of the best 154 00:08:43,080 --> 00:08:46,830 Rob Simmelkjaer: things about being CEO of New York Road Runners is 155 00:08:46,830 --> 00:08:51,478 Rob Simmelkjaer: that New Balance shoes are appropriate footwear anywhere I go. 156 00:08:51,480 --> 00:08:53,639 Rob Simmelkjaer: I could be going to a formal event, I could 157 00:08:53,639 --> 00:08:55,828 Rob Simmelkjaer: be going to the office and running shoes are pretty 158 00:08:55,830 --> 00:09:00,179 Rob Simmelkjaer: much always appropriate for me to wear. For you guys 159 00:09:00,179 --> 00:09:03,718 Rob Simmelkjaer: at New Balance, what has the impact been of being 160 00:09:03,720 --> 00:09:07,800 Rob Simmelkjaer: our partner, being the logo and in the middle of 161 00:09:07,800 --> 00:09:11,520 Rob Simmelkjaer: the expo and at the Run Center on your brand, 162 00:09:11,520 --> 00:09:13,679 Rob Simmelkjaer: on the recognition of your brand, here in New York 163 00:09:13,679 --> 00:09:14,939 Rob Simmelkjaer: City and around the world? 164 00:09:15,630 --> 00:09:17,160 Tom Carleo: Yeah, I mean I think it's done a ton of things. I 165 00:09:17,160 --> 00:09:20,730 Tom Carleo: mean, it's truly made the company feel smaller because there's 166 00:09:20,730 --> 00:09:24,780 Tom Carleo: not a department that is not involved with the marathon. 167 00:09:25,080 --> 00:09:29,460 Tom Carleo: The timeliness that is so critical and necessary has forced 168 00:09:29,460 --> 00:09:31,530 Tom Carleo: us to put teams together that are... We use that 169 00:09:31,530 --> 00:09:34,109 Tom Carleo: word integrated, but there's truly not a department at New 170 00:09:34,109 --> 00:09:37,920 Tom Carleo: Balance that's not involved, feels like they're part of it 171 00:09:37,920 --> 00:09:39,750 Tom Carleo: and feels the weight and the pressure of making sure 172 00:09:39,750 --> 00:09:41,250 Tom Carleo: that we not just do it, but we do it 173 00:09:41,250 --> 00:09:44,550 Tom Carleo: really well. So it's brought us together. We work with 174 00:09:44,550 --> 00:09:47,759 Tom Carleo: our friends at Strava and we build out all different 175 00:09:47,759 --> 00:09:51,929 Tom Carleo: types of programs that allows us to track, to be 176 00:09:51,929 --> 00:09:56,309 Tom Carleo: competitive and to set incentives for associates to come to 177 00:09:56,309 --> 00:09:59,550 Tom Carleo: these events and use them really as prizes. Just Brooklyn, 178 00:09:59,550 --> 00:10:01,679 Tom Carleo: a few weeks ago, we had close to a hundred 179 00:10:01,679 --> 00:10:04,710 Tom Carleo: associates from our retail groups from around the country. These 180 00:10:04,710 --> 00:10:08,250 Tom Carleo: are folks working in sometimes a factory store in California, 181 00:10:08,250 --> 00:10:10,828 Tom Carleo: comes in and runs the Brooklyn Half and gets to 182 00:10:10,830 --> 00:10:14,460 Tom Carleo: meet people from corporate, gets to experience things. We have 183 00:10:14,610 --> 00:10:17,640 Tom Carleo: integrated that, as I said, into almost everything that we 184 00:10:17,640 --> 00:10:19,950 Tom Carleo: do. You can't just set up for this one event 185 00:10:19,950 --> 00:10:22,110 Tom Carleo: and then shut down for the year because there's another 186 00:10:22,110 --> 00:10:27,000 Tom Carleo: event on the docket. So yeah, it's inspired us to 187 00:10:27,000 --> 00:10:30,179 Tom Carleo: be a running company. It's easier for us probably than 188 00:10:30,240 --> 00:10:34,020 Tom Carleo: other industries to make running really important internally, but to 189 00:10:34,020 --> 00:10:35,970 Tom Carleo: see people that never ran a step in their life 190 00:10:36,300 --> 00:10:39,118 Tom Carleo: now trying to run every event that is part of 191 00:10:39,120 --> 00:10:41,820 Tom Carleo: the portfolio of Road Runners is really, really cool to see. 192 00:10:42,509 --> 00:10:46,920 Rob Simmelkjaer: Denise, when Citizens became a partner of New York Road 193 00:10:46,920 --> 00:10:50,189 Rob Simmelkjaer: Runners and the TCS New York City Marathon, this was 194 00:10:50,190 --> 00:10:53,550 Rob Simmelkjaer: part of a much bigger move for your company. You 195 00:10:53,550 --> 00:10:56,758 Rob Simmelkjaer: guys were coming to New York really indeed for the first time, you- 196 00:10:56,759 --> 00:10:56,760 Denise Wolffs: We're in the Big Apple, baby. 197 00:10:56,760 --> 00:11:00,030 Rob Simmelkjaer: ... That's right. And you guys had roots in New 198 00:11:00,030 --> 00:11:02,968 Rob Simmelkjaer: England and other parts of the country, and now here 199 00:11:02,969 --> 00:11:06,540 Rob Simmelkjaer: you are in New York, in Queens in particular, as 200 00:11:06,540 --> 00:11:10,439 Rob Simmelkjaer: the title sponsor of the Citizens Queens 10K. How has 201 00:11:10,440 --> 00:11:14,640 Rob Simmelkjaer: the partnership with us helped you guys make a splash 202 00:11:14,820 --> 00:11:17,009 Rob Simmelkjaer: in this market? I know I see your branches now 203 00:11:17,099 --> 00:11:19,620 Rob Simmelkjaer: all over the place. I see the green taxi cabs 204 00:11:19,799 --> 00:11:21,990 Rob Simmelkjaer: during marathon. We haven't been able to get one yet, by the way. 205 00:11:22,170 --> 00:11:23,790 Rob Simmelkjaer: I got to get one of those cabs. But what- 206 00:11:23,790 --> 00:11:25,471 Denise Wolffs: I know someone who knows someone. 207 00:11:25,471 --> 00:11:26,760 Rob Simmelkjaer: ... You know somebody can get me one of those? 208 00:11:27,300 --> 00:11:30,750 Rob Simmelkjaer: How has it been for you in helping you make 209 00:11:30,750 --> 00:11:32,130 Rob Simmelkjaer: an entrance into this market? 210 00:11:33,179 --> 00:11:36,270 Denise Wolffs: So yes, we entered the most competitive market in the 211 00:11:36,270 --> 00:11:39,599 Denise Wolffs: world, the New York market in 2022, and we really 212 00:11:39,599 --> 00:11:42,450 Denise Wolffs: developed a strategy around the neighborhoods of New York City 213 00:11:42,690 --> 00:11:45,540 Denise Wolffs: and what makes them so unique. We wanted to partner 214 00:11:45,540 --> 00:11:48,929 Denise Wolffs: with an organization that shared our values and our passion 215 00:11:48,929 --> 00:11:51,870 Denise Wolffs: around connecting with the communities we serve and we looked 216 00:11:51,870 --> 00:11:54,809 Denise Wolffs: for one that had a highly engaged audience. And it's 217 00:11:54,809 --> 00:11:59,039 Denise Wolffs: no surprise that we actively sought out the opportunity, actively, 218 00:11:59,039 --> 00:12:01,620 Denise Wolffs: I may say, for over a year to partner with 219 00:12:01,620 --> 00:12:03,630 Denise Wolffs: New York Road Runners and a big, again, shout- out 220 00:12:03,630 --> 00:12:05,910 Denise Wolffs: to my colleague Jeff in the audience, who really made 221 00:12:05,910 --> 00:12:08,909 Denise Wolffs: it happen. And I'd say that the partnership with New 222 00:12:08,910 --> 00:12:11,549 Denise Wolffs: York Road Runners really helps us demonstrate our commitment to 223 00:12:11,550 --> 00:12:14,458 Denise Wolffs: New York. It really is a great way team to 224 00:12:14,460 --> 00:12:17,850 Denise Wolffs: elevate our exposure 12 months a year with marquee races 225 00:12:18,179 --> 00:12:21,480 Denise Wolffs: across the five boroughs, including the title sponsorship of the 226 00:12:21,480 --> 00:12:25,078 Denise Wolffs: inaugural Citizens Queens 10K happening on June 15th, I'll get 227 00:12:25,080 --> 00:12:28,770 Denise Wolffs: to that in a second and, of course, the iconic TCS 228 00:12:28,770 --> 00:12:30,990 Denise Wolffs: New York City Marathon. So when you come out to 229 00:12:30,990 --> 00:12:33,719 Denise Wolffs: Queens next week, you're not only going to see me, 230 00:12:33,719 --> 00:12:35,458 Denise Wolffs: you're not only going to see my colleagues, you're not 231 00:12:35,458 --> 00:12:38,250 Denise Wolffs: only going to see Team Citizens runners, but we believe 232 00:12:38,250 --> 00:12:41,850 Denise Wolffs: that being committed to the community is not just time 233 00:12:42,900 --> 00:12:46,139 Denise Wolffs: and money, but it's support in many ways. So you'll 234 00:12:46,139 --> 00:12:48,900 Denise Wolffs: see that we support and sponsor the Queens Night Market 235 00:12:49,139 --> 00:12:54,750 Denise Wolffs: where there are a hundred vendors each April through October, every Saturday, 236 00:12:54,960 --> 00:12:57,328 Denise Wolffs: that sell their wares at a discounted price to the 237 00:12:57,330 --> 00:13:00,300 Denise Wolffs: local community, thanks to the support of Citizens. But it's 238 00:13:00,300 --> 00:13:03,059 Denise Wolffs: more than that. It's our colleagues that are volunteering with 239 00:13:03,059 --> 00:13:07,139 Denise Wolffs: them. You'll actually see the CEO of Queens Night Market 240 00:13:07,139 --> 00:13:10,139 Denise Wolffs: running the Citizens Queens 10K, probably along with you, Rob, 241 00:13:10,139 --> 00:13:11,669 Denise Wolffs: who I know you met a couple of weeks ago 242 00:13:11,820 --> 00:13:14,730 Denise Wolffs: with our CEO when we did a panel in Queens 243 00:13:14,730 --> 00:13:17,848 Denise Wolffs: just talking about our commitment. You'll see next week when 244 00:13:17,850 --> 00:13:20,520 Denise Wolffs: we are so excited to have bib sign- up or 245 00:13:20,520 --> 00:13:22,380 Denise Wolffs: runner sign- up. It's going to be at the New 246 00:13:22,380 --> 00:13:23,909 Denise Wolffs: York Run Center, but it's also going to be at 247 00:13:23,910 --> 00:13:26,759 Denise Wolffs: our branch in Queens in Woodside, Queens where we went 248 00:13:26,759 --> 00:13:28,889 Denise Wolffs: out and we tried to figure where was the best 249 00:13:28,889 --> 00:13:31,470 Denise Wolffs: place for people to come. Go check it out. You're 250 00:13:31,470 --> 00:13:34,500 Denise Wolffs: going to hear a radio station. We've got a big 251 00:13:34,500 --> 00:13:36,360 Denise Wolffs: stage. I'm not going to share too much more. It's 252 00:13:36,360 --> 00:13:38,700 Denise Wolffs: very exciting, but we want to see you there. Last 253 00:13:38,700 --> 00:13:41,879 Denise Wolffs: but not least, when you go to the festival after 254 00:13:41,880 --> 00:13:44,370 Denise Wolffs: the race, again, we have a post- race festival that 255 00:13:44,370 --> 00:13:48,510 Denise Wolffs: I think will be phenomenal, family- friendly. We've got bands, 256 00:13:48,510 --> 00:13:50,970 Denise Wolffs: we've got face painting, thank you to my friends at 257 00:13:51,660 --> 00:13:55,559 Denise Wolffs: MasterCard who taught me about it last year with the 258 00:13:55,559 --> 00:13:58,769 Denise Wolffs: MasterCard Mini, but you'll see so many activities. And last 259 00:13:58,770 --> 00:14:00,990 Denise Wolffs: but not least, back to the Queens Night Market and our 260 00:14:00,990 --> 00:14:05,369 Denise Wolffs: support of it, we'll actually be giving out some of 261 00:14:05,369 --> 00:14:09,598 Denise Wolffs: our Queens Night Market vendors food to the participants and 262 00:14:09,600 --> 00:14:12,240 Denise Wolffs: their families free of charge, thanks to Citizens. 263 00:14:12,510 --> 00:14:14,880 Rob Simmelkjaer: I love it. You know, Denise, you may have a 264 00:14:14,880 --> 00:14:18,630 Rob Simmelkjaer: very happy set of runners who will really love Citizens after 265 00:14:18,630 --> 00:14:21,540 Rob Simmelkjaer: that race. Because what I am told it is the 266 00:14:21,570 --> 00:14:27,540 Rob Simmelkjaer: flattest, fastest 10K that New York Road Runners puts on 267 00:14:27,540 --> 00:14:30,390 Rob Simmelkjaer: throughout the year. So there are a lot of people, I may 268 00:14:30,390 --> 00:14:32,580 Rob Simmelkjaer: be one of those people, we'll see how I'm feeling 269 00:14:32,580 --> 00:14:35,249 Rob Simmelkjaer: that day, who will be out trying to set a 270 00:14:35,250 --> 00:14:38,070 Rob Simmelkjaer: PR in your race. And I think anyone who sets 271 00:14:38,070 --> 00:14:41,369 Rob Simmelkjaer: a PR in the Citizens Queens 10K should just go 272 00:14:41,369 --> 00:14:42,870 Rob Simmelkjaer: open an account the next day. Don't you think? 273 00:14:42,870 --> 00:14:45,540 Denise Wolffs: I like the way you're thinking, Rob. Multiple accounts. 274 00:14:45,840 --> 00:14:47,580 Rob Simmelkjaer: All right. We'll see how that plays out. 275 00:14:47,609 --> 00:14:47,879 Denise Wolffs: Okay. 276 00:14:48,210 --> 00:14:51,750 Rob Simmelkjaer: Anne, MasterCard has been a partner New York Road Runners 277 00:14:51,750 --> 00:14:56,940 Rob Simmelkjaer: since 2020, and your team specializes in connecting your card 278 00:14:56,940 --> 00:15:00,600 Rob Simmelkjaer: holders to their passions. A big part of that is 279 00:15:00,780 --> 00:15:03,900 Rob Simmelkjaer: this amazing Priceless brand that you have had for quite 280 00:15:03,900 --> 00:15:06,480 Rob Simmelkjaer: a while at MasterCard and I don't think there's a 281 00:15:06,480 --> 00:15:11,250 Rob Simmelkjaer: better sort of activation at the marathon than the Priceless 282 00:15:11,250 --> 00:15:14,909 Rob Simmelkjaer: Start that we have every single year, which is an exclusive 283 00:15:14,969 --> 00:15:17,909 Rob Simmelkjaer: thing for MasterCard card holders. Can you talk about what 284 00:15:17,910 --> 00:15:22,650 Rob Simmelkjaer: that Priceless Start is and how that community that you 285 00:15:22,650 --> 00:15:25,980 Rob Simmelkjaer: guys have created through that and other activations has been 286 00:15:25,980 --> 00:15:27,150 Rob Simmelkjaer: so important to MasterCard? 287 00:15:27,660 --> 00:15:32,190 Anne Valentzas: Yeah, sure. Happy to. I'll start by just explaining a 288 00:15:32,190 --> 00:15:34,679 Anne Valentzas: little bit about what we mean by priceless because we 289 00:15:34,680 --> 00:15:37,620 Anne Valentzas: do, as you say, we connect our card holders to 290 00:15:37,620 --> 00:15:43,290 Anne Valentzas: their passions through priceless experiences. And by priceless experiences, we 291 00:15:43,290 --> 00:15:48,809 Anne Valentzas: really mean things money can't buy. These are once- in- a- 292 00:15:48,809 --> 00:15:56,730 Anne Valentzas: lifetime opportunities. The Priceless Start is really remarkable. We have 293 00:15:56,730 --> 00:16:00,660 Anne Valentzas: a group of card holders and employees and influencers who 294 00:16:00,660 --> 00:16:05,519 Anne Valentzas: start the TCS New York City Marathon before the elite 295 00:16:05,550 --> 00:16:08,730 Anne Valentzas: athletes so they are the first feet to christen that 296 00:16:08,730 --> 00:16:13,320 Anne Valentzas: course. And as they're heading out, those spectators, they're the 297 00:16:13,320 --> 00:16:17,970 Anne Valentzas: first runners these spectators see, and they get received with 298 00:16:18,030 --> 00:16:21,690 Anne Valentzas: great, great joy and excitement. But there's something magical that 299 00:16:21,690 --> 00:16:26,429 Anne Valentzas: also happens when those elite runners approach because, first of 300 00:16:26,429 --> 00:16:30,149 Anne Valentzas: all, the crowds are roaring, but those elite runners are 301 00:16:30,150 --> 00:16:34,200 Anne Valentzas: coming up behind our runners and those runners are experiencing 302 00:16:34,200 --> 00:16:37,650 Anne Valentzas: it firsthand. Imagine that, you're really feeling what it feels 303 00:16:37,650 --> 00:16:41,939 Anne Valentzas: like to be that elite athlete and feeling their pace 304 00:16:41,940 --> 00:16:45,929 Anne Valentzas: as they come past you and maybe running with them 305 00:16:45,929 --> 00:16:50,460 Anne Valentzas: for a second or two so it is truly priceless. 306 00:16:50,910 --> 00:16:53,190 Rob Simmelkjaer: Wouldn't it be crazy if one of those Priceless Start 307 00:16:53,190 --> 00:16:54,600 Rob Simmelkjaer: runners just won the marathon? 308 00:16:55,590 --> 00:16:57,060 Anne Valentzas: I think we have people who want to. They're going to try. 309 00:16:59,400 --> 00:17:01,590 Rob Simmelkjaer: That gives nightmares to our pro athletes team if something 310 00:17:01,590 --> 00:17:03,599 Rob Simmelkjaer: like that were ever to happen. But, hey, they're in 311 00:17:03,599 --> 00:17:04,470 Rob Simmelkjaer: the lead for a little bit, so- 312 00:17:04,470 --> 00:17:04,889 Anne Valentzas: That's right. 313 00:17:04,889 --> 00:17:09,510 Rob Simmelkjaer: ... they got a chance. You know, Tom, I've had 314 00:17:09,510 --> 00:17:11,340 Rob Simmelkjaer: a chance to go up to New Balance, to your 315 00:17:11,340 --> 00:17:16,770 Rob Simmelkjaer: headquarters in Boston, see the passion for running that is 316 00:17:16,770 --> 00:17:21,359 Rob Simmelkjaer: throughout the organization, not just the people, but the investment 317 00:17:21,359 --> 00:17:23,940 Rob Simmelkjaer: you guys have made. There's an incredible track, for those 318 00:17:23,940 --> 00:17:26,908 Rob Simmelkjaer: who don't know, right across the street from your headquarters. 319 00:17:26,910 --> 00:17:29,820 Rob Simmelkjaer: You guys host a lot of indoor track and field 320 00:17:29,820 --> 00:17:34,200 Rob Simmelkjaer: events there, collegiate events, all of that. What about among 321 00:17:34,200 --> 00:17:37,290 Rob Simmelkjaer: the employees? Is it all runners? Is there a lot 322 00:17:37,290 --> 00:17:42,750 Rob Simmelkjaer: of competition between employees to get out there and pound 323 00:17:42,750 --> 00:17:45,720 Rob Simmelkjaer: the pavement and be fast? What's the culture like internally 324 00:17:45,720 --> 00:17:46,379 Rob Simmelkjaer: there with running? 325 00:17:47,130 --> 00:17:49,918 Tom Carleo: Yeah. I mean, at a certain level, it's hyper- competitive. 326 00:17:51,210 --> 00:17:53,190 Tom Carleo: I would say, and I'm sort of proud of this, 327 00:17:53,190 --> 00:17:57,210 Tom Carleo: when I joined New Balance 16- ish years ago, my 328 00:17:57,210 --> 00:18:00,059 Tom Carleo: personal bests in running, I was one of the faster 329 00:18:00,059 --> 00:18:03,720 Tom Carleo: people in the company. And between us refocusing on the 330 00:18:03,720 --> 00:18:07,560 Tom Carleo: category and hiring the right people, there's probably over 20 331 00:18:07,560 --> 00:18:09,690 Tom Carleo: people that ran a lot faster than I did in 332 00:18:09,690 --> 00:18:12,869 Tom Carleo: the company today. Our head of sports marketing was second 333 00:18:12,869 --> 00:18:16,678 Tom Carleo: in the NCAAs. We have two NCAA champions, US champions that 334 00:18:16,680 --> 00:18:21,869 Tom Carleo: work in our group so it's become incredibly fun and 335 00:18:21,869 --> 00:18:26,668 Tom Carleo: competitive. The athletes at New Balance, we really build a 336 00:18:26,670 --> 00:18:29,789 Tom Carleo: culture where the athletes are part of the group, part 337 00:18:29,790 --> 00:18:33,539 Tom Carleo: of the family. It's not something where they're put on 338 00:18:33,540 --> 00:18:36,840 Tom Carleo: such a pedestal that they're unreachable. We can text them, 339 00:18:36,840 --> 00:18:40,650 Tom Carleo: call them for the smallest things or sometimes big things 340 00:18:41,400 --> 00:18:45,570 Tom Carleo: within the company. So that family mentality that I think 341 00:18:45,570 --> 00:18:49,830 Tom Carleo: comes with a privately- owned company is real. And having 342 00:18:49,830 --> 00:18:52,859 Tom Carleo: come from bigger companies and seeing the difference, it's really 343 00:18:52,859 --> 00:18:57,000 Tom Carleo: real. So I mentioned the internal, the Strava portal and 344 00:18:57,000 --> 00:18:58,948 Tom Carleo: some of the local races we do and the races 345 00:18:58,950 --> 00:19:03,119 Tom Carleo: here. Everybody is supporting everybody all the time and, again, 346 00:19:03,119 --> 00:19:06,119 Tom Carleo: seeing people that never was into running got inspired by 347 00:19:06,119 --> 00:19:10,590 Tom Carleo: the facility across the street, the organic nature we have, 348 00:19:10,590 --> 00:19:15,030 Tom Carleo: even with our athletes in other sports. Yesterday, I was 349 00:19:15,030 --> 00:19:19,109 Tom Carleo: on the phone with Cameron Brink, who's the basketball player 350 00:19:19,109 --> 00:19:21,090 Tom Carleo: out in LA. Her mom and dad and I worked 351 00:19:21,090 --> 00:19:23,460 Tom Carleo: together years ago, and Cameron was just coming back from 352 00:19:23,460 --> 00:19:26,698 Tom Carleo: doing a running television spot. So someone who's not a 353 00:19:26,700 --> 00:19:29,249 Tom Carleo: runner, but running is part of her life. It's very, 354 00:19:29,250 --> 00:19:32,910 Tom Carleo: very fun to see that organic nature. So yeah, it 355 00:19:32,910 --> 00:19:37,740 Tom Carleo: feels like a running company, first and foremost, running almost 356 00:19:37,740 --> 00:19:40,440 Tom Carleo: above company. You can see we don't invest in head 357 00:19:40,440 --> 00:19:42,960 Tom Carleo: shots. If you look here, that was I think a selfie. 358 00:19:43,710 --> 00:19:48,690 Tom Carleo: That was a selfie in a bar I think, actually. But 359 00:19:48,690 --> 00:19:51,090 Tom Carleo: we do put a ton of investment into the running 360 00:19:51,090 --> 00:19:53,580 Tom Carleo: community and then what we have at our facilities. 361 00:19:54,180 --> 00:19:57,750 Rob Simmelkjaer: Denise, Citizens is not a running shoe company, it's a 362 00:19:57,750 --> 00:20:01,319 Rob Simmelkjaer: bank, but you still had 80 runners as part of 363 00:20:01,320 --> 00:20:07,830 Rob Simmelkjaer: Team Citizens and 250 Citizens volunteers, staffing fluid stations along 364 00:20:07,830 --> 00:20:12,359 Rob Simmelkjaer: the course. How does bringing employees to an event like 365 00:20:12,359 --> 00:20:16,349 Rob Simmelkjaer: the TCS New York City Marathon and infusing running into 366 00:20:16,349 --> 00:20:19,679 Rob Simmelkjaer: the culture of the company, how does that change things 367 00:20:19,679 --> 00:20:20,760 Rob Simmelkjaer: in a place like Citizens? 368 00:20:21,240 --> 00:20:23,850 Denise Wolffs: Well, I'd say across the company, everyone wanted to get 369 00:20:23,850 --> 00:20:27,210 Denise Wolffs: involved in some way, whether they were in Boston, whether 370 00:20:27,210 --> 00:20:30,030 Denise Wolffs: they were in New York. Rob, just so you know, 371 00:20:30,330 --> 00:20:32,001 Denise Wolffs: we only had three months to get those people (inaudible) 372 00:20:32,001 --> 00:20:34,980 Denise Wolffs: this year. So yes, we had more than 250 373 00:20:34,980 --> 00:20:37,529 Denise Wolffs: colleagues that were part of Team Citizens. They were either 374 00:20:37,530 --> 00:20:41,340 Denise Wolffs: running the actual race. We actually did a contest to 375 00:20:41,340 --> 00:20:43,678 Denise Wolffs: make sure that we got the right runners there. They 376 00:20:43,680 --> 00:20:45,720 Denise Wolffs: all had to tell their stories. We saw and we 377 00:20:45,720 --> 00:20:48,178 Denise Wolffs: heard a lot of stories, whether they were volunteering at 378 00:20:48,180 --> 00:20:50,940 Denise Wolffs: the expo. Hopefully some of you went to the expo 379 00:20:50,940 --> 00:20:52,859 Denise Wolffs: last year, I may talk about it later and saw 380 00:20:52,859 --> 00:20:56,250 Denise Wolffs: us illuminate green. They were volunteering at our cheer zones. 381 00:20:56,429 --> 00:20:58,469 Denise Wolffs: As you said, they were handing out water with community 382 00:20:58,469 --> 00:21:01,920 Denise Wolffs: partners. We actually put on a live stream show at 383 00:21:02,130 --> 00:21:05,850 Denise Wolffs: Mile Marker 12. They hosted customers, clients, and their families 384 00:21:06,119 --> 00:21:09,000 Denise Wolffs: at venues along the course. It was terrific. But I 385 00:21:09,000 --> 00:21:12,210 Denise Wolffs: also say we had, I can say this in this 386 00:21:12,210 --> 00:21:16,740 Denise Wolffs: room, we're in New York, two- time NFL, you can 387 00:21:16,740 --> 00:21:20,550 Denise Wolffs: guess it yet, quarterback from the New York Giants, Eli 388 00:21:20,550 --> 00:21:24,000 Denise Wolffs: Manning, who addressed our entire Team Citizens and actually did 389 00:21:24,000 --> 00:21:26,850 Denise Wolffs: a virtual training and a pep session, which was great. 390 00:21:26,940 --> 00:21:29,609 Denise Wolffs: And lastly, I would say it wasn't just the runners 391 00:21:29,609 --> 00:21:32,188 Denise Wolffs: themselves and the people that participated, but it was the 392 00:21:32,190 --> 00:21:35,398 Denise Wolffs: people that participated from their computers, from their phones. We 393 00:21:35,400 --> 00:21:38,340 Denise Wolffs: had a record number of colleagues that engaged with us 394 00:21:38,340 --> 00:21:41,730 Denise Wolffs: on the intranet, that watched our hype videos, that read 395 00:21:41,730 --> 00:21:45,418 Denise Wolffs: our articles, that read the customer and colleague stories, wanted 396 00:21:45,420 --> 00:21:48,539 Denise Wolffs: to tell some of their own. They posted on their social 397 00:21:48,540 --> 00:21:51,630 Denise Wolffs: channels and then, most importantly, learned how they can get 398 00:21:51,630 --> 00:21:52,769 Denise Wolffs: more involved this year. 399 00:21:53,549 --> 00:21:56,398 Rob Simmelkjaer: Love it. Love it. Anne, at MasterCard, is there a lot 400 00:21:56,400 --> 00:21:59,398 Rob Simmelkjaer: of pressure to run fast for the runners there? You 401 00:21:59,400 --> 00:22:02,040 Rob Simmelkjaer: guys have a pretty big group of runners as well. 402 00:22:02,160 --> 00:22:04,500 Rob Simmelkjaer: I know you're one of them. Is there pressure to 403 00:22:04,500 --> 00:22:07,320 Rob Simmelkjaer: perform well with the MasterCard logo on your shirt? 404 00:22:07,320 --> 00:22:09,478 Anne Valentzas: Well, we are a competitive set of folks there. I'll 405 00:22:09,480 --> 00:22:12,270 Anne Valentzas: tell you that. So the New York Runners partnership actually 406 00:22:12,270 --> 00:22:17,070 Anne Valentzas: inspired the start of the MasterCard Run Club, which has 407 00:22:17,070 --> 00:22:21,960 Anne Valentzas: now grown to over 600 members globally. And the Run 408 00:22:21,960 --> 00:22:26,069 Anne Valentzas: Club members get access to things like race bibs through 409 00:22:26,070 --> 00:22:29,220 Anne Valentzas: our New York Road Runners partnership, like the MasterCard Mini 410 00:22:29,279 --> 00:22:33,540 Anne Valentzas: 10K. We have 50 Run Club members running in that 411 00:22:33,540 --> 00:22:37,530 Anne Valentzas: race. And we also provide access to some of our 412 00:22:37,530 --> 00:22:42,330 Anne Valentzas: ambassadors. So our Run Club members get coaching advice, inspiration 413 00:22:42,330 --> 00:22:48,179 Anne Valentzas: from Shalane Flanagan and from Olympian Alexi Pappas. This is 414 00:22:48,180 --> 00:22:53,940 Anne Valentzas: an incredible opportunity to ask questions directly to these elite athletes. 415 00:22:54,810 --> 00:22:57,210 Rob Simmelkjaer: A lot of folks out there may not know that 416 00:22:57,210 --> 00:23:00,629 Rob Simmelkjaer: much about the sports sponsorship business. Maybe they've got a 417 00:23:00,630 --> 00:23:03,000 Rob Simmelkjaer: kid who wants to get into this business. The whole 418 00:23:03,000 --> 00:23:08,850 Rob Simmelkjaer: process of deciding to sponsor an events or an athlete 419 00:23:09,210 --> 00:23:11,609 Rob Simmelkjaer: is actually an interesting one. Tom, for you guys at 420 00:23:11,609 --> 00:23:14,638 Rob Simmelkjaer: New Balance, you sponsor athletes from a pretty wide range 421 00:23:14,638 --> 00:23:18,240 Rob Simmelkjaer: of sports. You're very active in baseball and you've got 422 00:23:18,240 --> 00:23:20,700 Rob Simmelkjaer: tennis now with Coco Gauff, who's had such a great 423 00:23:20,700 --> 00:23:23,908 Rob Simmelkjaer: run. And, of course, you've got amazing runners like Emily 424 00:23:23,910 --> 00:23:27,030 Rob Simmelkjaer: Sisson and our friend Meb Keflezighi, who is now got a new 425 00:23:27,030 --> 00:23:29,700 Rob Simmelkjaer: deal with you guys that we're so excited about. What 426 00:23:29,760 --> 00:23:33,270 Rob Simmelkjaer: do you look for in an athlete at New Balance 427 00:23:33,270 --> 00:23:36,990 Rob Simmelkjaer: when you're thinking about partnering with them to represent the brand? 428 00:23:38,910 --> 00:23:41,279 Tom Carleo: Yeah. I mean, beyond the obvious that you want to 429 00:23:41,279 --> 00:23:45,330 Tom Carleo: associate with excellent athletes, it's a culture- first mentality. And 430 00:23:45,330 --> 00:23:47,638 Tom Carleo: I think those of you who were around when we 431 00:23:47,640 --> 00:23:49,950 Tom Carleo: were first meeting with New York Road Runners, it was 432 00:23:49,950 --> 00:23:53,010 Tom Carleo: the cultural alignment that just made it seem like a no- 433 00:23:53,010 --> 00:23:56,668 Tom Carleo: brainer. We want athletes that sincerely want to give back 434 00:23:56,670 --> 00:23:59,849 Tom Carleo: to where they come from or to communities that need 435 00:23:59,910 --> 00:24:04,350 Tom Carleo: more within their community, whether it's directly related to fitness 436 00:24:04,680 --> 00:24:09,059 Tom Carleo: or another cause. And across all sports that we're in, 437 00:24:09,330 --> 00:24:12,719 Tom Carleo: that's embedded into our athlete agreements that they give back 438 00:24:12,719 --> 00:24:16,049 Tom Carleo: to the communities that they live within around the world. 439 00:24:16,830 --> 00:24:19,680 Tom Carleo: So that piece of it, again, may sound really cliche, 440 00:24:19,680 --> 00:24:22,440 Tom Carleo: but it's something that's incredibly important to us, that cultural 441 00:24:22,440 --> 00:24:26,488 Tom Carleo: fit. We've had a lot of athletes where management has 442 00:24:26,490 --> 00:24:29,040 Tom Carleo: come to us. We've had the meetings, very, very good 443 00:24:29,040 --> 00:24:32,698 Tom Carleo: athletes, inspiring athletes on their field of play, but they 444 00:24:32,700 --> 00:24:35,879 Tom Carleo: just weren't the right cultural fit for where we are. 445 00:24:35,910 --> 00:24:39,150 Tom Carleo: So first and foremost, it's like understanding our values well 446 00:24:39,150 --> 00:24:42,359 Tom Carleo: enough that it's really easy to see those values reflected 447 00:24:43,020 --> 00:24:46,469 Tom Carleo: in our partners. I mentioned before the accessibility to our 448 00:24:46,469 --> 00:24:50,309 Tom Carleo: athletes, but all of us can tell stories. I was 449 00:24:50,309 --> 00:24:53,850 Tom Carleo: at an indoor track meet maybe seven or eight years 450 00:24:53,850 --> 00:24:57,180 Tom Carleo: ago, and a poor young girl, a good runner, miscounted the 451 00:24:57,180 --> 00:25:00,480 Tom Carleo: laps and she kicked like crazy, thought she had one 452 00:25:00,480 --> 00:25:02,760 Tom Carleo: lap to go. She had two laps to go and 453 00:25:02,760 --> 00:25:06,809 Tom Carleo: she was devastated, bawling her eyes out and I just 454 00:25:06,809 --> 00:25:09,719 Tom Carleo: went over to the family. We had an elite athlete 455 00:25:09,719 --> 00:25:11,519 Tom Carleo: at the time who had done the same thing on 456 00:25:11,549 --> 00:25:14,760 Tom Carleo: almost a world stage level. I texted that athlete and 457 00:25:14,760 --> 00:25:16,290 Tom Carleo: I went up this girl, didn't know who I was 458 00:25:16,290 --> 00:25:18,570 Tom Carleo: and I said, " So-and- so wants to talk to you." 459 00:25:18,720 --> 00:25:20,730 Tom Carleo: I handed the phone and they were able to have 460 00:25:20,730 --> 00:25:23,730 Tom Carleo: this conversation. And the fact that that was easy to 461 00:25:23,730 --> 00:25:27,449 Tom Carleo: do is a reflection on the type of partnerships that 462 00:25:27,450 --> 00:25:28,169 Tom Carleo: we seek out. 463 00:25:29,160 --> 00:25:32,609 Rob Simmelkjaer: Same question to you, Anne, for MasterCard. You have a lot 464 00:25:32,609 --> 00:25:37,530 Rob Simmelkjaer: of sponsorships, baseball, here at Road Runners. It's a big 465 00:25:37,530 --> 00:25:39,630 Rob Simmelkjaer: part of your business, how you get your brand out 466 00:25:39,630 --> 00:25:41,790 Rob Simmelkjaer: there. What do you look for when you're thinking about 467 00:25:41,940 --> 00:25:44,190 Rob Simmelkjaer: putting your logo in front of a property? What are 468 00:25:44,190 --> 00:25:45,240 Rob Simmelkjaer: the characteristics? 469 00:25:45,359 --> 00:25:47,398 Anne Valentzas: Yeah, that's right and it comes back to what I 470 00:25:47,400 --> 00:25:50,968 Anne Valentzas: was talking about earlier with the priceless experiences. So we 471 00:25:50,970 --> 00:25:54,330 Anne Valentzas: are looking to connect our cardholders to their passions, whether 472 00:25:54,330 --> 00:25:59,309 Anne Valentzas: it's sports, culinary, music and entertainment, arts and culture and 473 00:25:59,309 --> 00:26:03,089 Anne Valentzas: we want to connect them in a way that gives 474 00:26:03,089 --> 00:26:08,850 Anne Valentzas: them a very memorable experience, something that has an impression 475 00:26:08,850 --> 00:26:13,560 Anne Valentzas: on them, something that is truly something money can't buy. 476 00:26:13,680 --> 00:26:16,500 Anne Valentzas: That is the soul of priceless. 477 00:26:16,830 --> 00:26:19,229 Rob Simmelkjaer: Denise, you guys at Citizens have gone the team route 478 00:26:19,230 --> 00:26:21,690 Rob Simmelkjaer: a lot, and that's an interesting way to go as 479 00:26:21,690 --> 00:26:25,020 Rob Simmelkjaer: well because we all know how passionate people are about 480 00:26:25,020 --> 00:26:28,500 Rob Simmelkjaer: their teams. When you've got your logo next to one 481 00:26:28,500 --> 00:26:31,859 Rob Simmelkjaer: of those teams, it drives a certain amount of passion 482 00:26:31,859 --> 00:26:34,408 Rob Simmelkjaer: as well. It's a different approach to take. What do 483 00:26:34,410 --> 00:26:36,509 Rob Simmelkjaer: you look for there when it comes to the team 484 00:26:36,509 --> 00:26:39,388 Rob Simmelkjaer: sponsorships? How does that impact the way people see you 485 00:26:39,388 --> 00:26:40,020 Rob Simmelkjaer: in the community? 486 00:26:40,379 --> 00:26:42,119 Denise Wolffs: I think a lot of it is what Anne said when 487 00:26:42,119 --> 00:26:45,570 Denise Wolffs: she was talking about people being passionate about sports and 488 00:26:45,570 --> 00:26:50,129 Denise Wolffs: really looking for a brand like Citizens really is connected 489 00:26:50,130 --> 00:26:53,010 Denise Wolffs: to the community. We really want to make sure that 490 00:26:53,010 --> 00:26:56,429 Denise Wolffs: the teams that we support are committed to the community, 491 00:26:56,429 --> 00:26:59,340 Denise Wolffs: both on and off the field. And I'm smiling up 492 00:26:59,340 --> 00:27:01,260 Denise Wolffs: here as I get ready to go to the London 493 00:27:01,260 --> 00:27:05,668 Denise Wolffs: series tonight with the Philadelphia Phillies who are currently in 494 00:27:05,670 --> 00:27:09,000 Denise Wolffs: first place, yes, Citizens Bank Park. We did that deal 495 00:27:09,000 --> 00:27:13,500 Denise Wolffs: 20 years ago. But let's be honest, team. You can't 496 00:27:13,500 --> 00:27:16,289 Denise Wolffs: always win. I think we'd love to win. Everybody would 497 00:27:16,289 --> 00:27:17,850 Denise Wolffs: love to win every day. But what I will tell 498 00:27:17,850 --> 00:27:20,760 Denise Wolffs: you is our partners, especially our teams, are winning on 499 00:27:20,760 --> 00:27:22,830 Denise Wolffs: and off the field. So for example, I'll give you 500 00:27:22,830 --> 00:27:25,228 Denise Wolffs: just a... If we think about the New York Football 501 00:27:25,230 --> 00:27:28,380 Denise Wolffs: Giants, we really spend a lot of time going into 502 00:27:28,380 --> 00:27:31,770 Denise Wolffs: the communities and going into the schools and working with 503 00:27:31,770 --> 00:27:34,468 Denise Wolffs: the Giants on a program called Play 60. And the 504 00:27:34,469 --> 00:27:37,590 Denise Wolffs: essence of it is very simple, which is getting out 505 00:27:37,590 --> 00:27:41,280 Denise Wolffs: there moving, whatever you're doing, for 60 minutes a day 506 00:27:41,280 --> 00:27:44,730 Denise Wolffs: really helps. It helps mentally and it helps physically. So 507 00:27:44,730 --> 00:27:47,070 Denise Wolffs: we go out into the communities and the schools with 508 00:27:47,070 --> 00:27:50,398 Denise Wolffs: the Giants. It's not about playing football, it's about running 509 00:27:50,400 --> 00:27:53,580 Denise Wolffs: races. It's about climbing the monkey bars. By the way, 510 00:27:53,580 --> 00:27:56,188 Denise Wolffs: don't do that after age 30, it's really not good, 511 00:27:56,369 --> 00:28:00,300 Denise Wolffs: and playing all kinds of games. But in all seriousness, it's 512 00:28:00,300 --> 00:28:03,599 Denise Wolffs: terrific to see the smiles on these kids' faces. And 513 00:28:03,599 --> 00:28:06,719 Denise Wolffs: as we all know, being active is very good for 514 00:28:06,719 --> 00:28:08,100 Denise Wolffs: the mind and for the body. 515 00:28:09,929 --> 00:28:12,510 Rob Simmelkjaer: I want to talk specifically to Denise and Anne for 516 00:28:12,510 --> 00:28:15,000 Rob Simmelkjaer: a second about where we are with women's sports right 517 00:28:15,000 --> 00:28:18,930 Rob Simmelkjaer: now. And people talk a lot about this breakthrough moment 518 00:28:18,930 --> 00:28:22,350 Rob Simmelkjaer: that we're in now, driven by Caitlin Clark and other 519 00:28:22,950 --> 00:28:25,888 Rob Simmelkjaer: women out there who are doing great things. But in 520 00:28:25,888 --> 00:28:28,620 Rob Simmelkjaer: running, this is not a new thing. The breakthrough was in 521 00:28:29,100 --> 00:28:32,100 Rob Simmelkjaer: the late '60s and the early '70s when it came to 522 00:28:32,100 --> 00:28:35,369 Rob Simmelkjaer: running. The MasterCard Mini 10K is a race that's been 523 00:28:35,369 --> 00:28:39,180 Rob Simmelkjaer: around since the early '70s. That was the breakthrough. And, 524 00:28:39,270 --> 00:28:42,120 Rob Simmelkjaer: of course, we're seeing more and more women compete at 525 00:28:42,120 --> 00:28:45,959 Rob Simmelkjaer: a high level. But, Anne, through the sponsorship of the 526 00:28:45,960 --> 00:28:50,760 Rob Simmelkjaer: MasterCard New York Mini 10K, MasterCard's showing that commitment to 527 00:28:50,760 --> 00:28:55,140 Rob Simmelkjaer: women in sports. Why? What is it about sports that 528 00:28:55,320 --> 00:28:58,500 Rob Simmelkjaer: you think is so critical and supporting women's sports, in 529 00:28:58,500 --> 00:29:00,090 Rob Simmelkjaer: particular, is so critical to you, guys? 530 00:29:00,240 --> 00:29:02,520 Anne Valentzas: Yeah. I don't know if you've heard this stat, but 531 00:29:02,520 --> 00:29:10,140 Anne Valentzas: we recently heard that 94% of female C- suite executives 532 00:29:10,500 --> 00:29:15,479 Anne Valentzas: once played a sport. So at MasterCard, we're hoping that 533 00:29:16,320 --> 00:29:20,369 Anne Valentzas: exposing more people to women's sports can help have a 534 00:29:20,370 --> 00:29:26,520 Anne Valentzas: positive influence and impact the future leaders of tomorrow. That's 535 00:29:26,520 --> 00:29:30,090 Anne Valentzas: why we sponsor not only the MasterCard Mini 10K, but 536 00:29:30,090 --> 00:29:34,530 Anne Valentzas: we do sponsor the New York Road Runners female elite 537 00:29:34,530 --> 00:29:35,730 Anne Valentzas: runners, the pro field. 538 00:29:37,020 --> 00:29:39,629 Rob Simmelkjaer: What has it meant for you, personally? You're an athlete, 539 00:29:40,469 --> 00:29:42,690 Rob Simmelkjaer: you're a senior executive at a pretty big company. Why 540 00:29:42,690 --> 00:29:46,020 Rob Simmelkjaer: do you think it is that women who have played sports tend to 541 00:29:46,020 --> 00:29:47,340 Rob Simmelkjaer: do so well in business? 542 00:29:47,640 --> 00:29:51,989 Anne Valentzas: You know, I think sports are a way that we learn to 543 00:29:51,990 --> 00:29:55,770 Anne Valentzas: train ourselves. We learn to pace ourselves, we learn to 544 00:29:55,770 --> 00:30:00,149 Anne Valentzas: set goals, we learn confidence. When you set that goal 545 00:30:00,150 --> 00:30:03,120 Anne Valentzas: and you achieve that goal, you become more confident and 546 00:30:03,120 --> 00:30:06,420 Anne Valentzas: you realize that there's nothing really that should hold you 547 00:30:06,420 --> 00:30:09,570 Anne Valentzas: back. That's an important lesson in life. And by the 548 00:30:09,570 --> 00:30:13,499 Anne Valentzas: way, also, you're going to have some setbacks. You're going 549 00:30:13,500 --> 00:30:16,199 Anne Valentzas: to have a bad race, you're going to have struggles, 550 00:30:16,199 --> 00:30:19,890 Anne Valentzas: you're going to have a bad workout. Bouncing back and 551 00:30:19,890 --> 00:30:23,220 Anne Valentzas: realizing that you can overcome that and that you can 552 00:30:23,220 --> 00:30:27,450 Anne Valentzas: have more success next time, that's a really important lesson 553 00:30:27,660 --> 00:30:29,280 Anne Valentzas: that applies to business as well. 554 00:30:30,090 --> 00:30:34,440 Rob Simmelkjaer: Denise, when you began your career, you were probably the 555 00:30:34,440 --> 00:30:38,850 Rob Simmelkjaer: only woman in a lot of rooms. You oftentimes, I'm 556 00:30:38,850 --> 00:30:41,460 Rob Simmelkjaer: sure, looked around and there were a bunch of guys 557 00:30:41,460 --> 00:30:45,540 Rob Simmelkjaer: and there was you, especially in this world of sponsorship 558 00:30:45,540 --> 00:30:48,479 Rob Simmelkjaer: and sports marketing and things like that. Now you actually 559 00:30:48,480 --> 00:30:51,629 Rob Simmelkjaer: mentor women who want to be in this space through 560 00:30:51,750 --> 00:30:55,890 Rob Simmelkjaer: a great organization called WISE, Women in Sports and Events. 561 00:30:56,040 --> 00:30:58,410 Rob Simmelkjaer: When you do that mentoring, or for anybody out there 562 00:30:58,410 --> 00:31:00,450 Rob Simmelkjaer: who maybe they're listening or they've got a daughter who 563 00:31:00,450 --> 00:31:03,449 Rob Simmelkjaer: wants to be in a job like yours someday, what's the advice 564 00:31:03,450 --> 00:31:06,240 Rob Simmelkjaer: you give to a young woman who is starting a 565 00:31:06,240 --> 00:31:08,880 Rob Simmelkjaer: career and wants to be in the sports marketing space? 566 00:31:09,030 --> 00:31:13,320 Denise Wolffs: It's really simple. Get involved. It doesn't matter what you 567 00:31:13,320 --> 00:31:16,290 Denise Wolffs: do. If you want to help your mom or your 568 00:31:16,290 --> 00:31:20,040 Denise Wolffs: dad with a Little League team, get involved, talk to 569 00:31:20,040 --> 00:31:23,549 Denise Wolffs: the coaches, meet the other players, understand what grit is 570 00:31:23,550 --> 00:31:25,559 Denise Wolffs: all about. And as you said, you're going to have 571 00:31:25,559 --> 00:31:28,739 Denise Wolffs: some setbacks all the time and that happens. But don't 572 00:31:28,740 --> 00:31:32,580 Denise Wolffs: be afraid to ask questions. And I tell people, all 573 00:31:32,580 --> 00:31:35,100 Denise Wolffs: you have to do is ask. The worst thing that 574 00:31:35,100 --> 00:31:37,590 Denise Wolffs: can happen is they say no. And you do it 575 00:31:37,590 --> 00:31:39,899 Denise Wolffs: again, and you do it again, and you do it 576 00:31:39,900 --> 00:31:42,750 Denise Wolffs: again. And I can promise you, I've seen so many 577 00:31:42,750 --> 00:31:46,799 Denise Wolffs: young women from all walks of life get involved in 578 00:31:46,799 --> 00:31:48,810 Denise Wolffs: the business of sports in one way or another. 579 00:31:49,800 --> 00:31:52,620 Rob Simmelkjaer: I love it. It's great. I've got a couple daughters 580 00:31:52,620 --> 00:31:54,480 Rob Simmelkjaer: and I could see at least one of them wanting 581 00:31:54,480 --> 00:31:56,729 Rob Simmelkjaer: to go down that path so it's great advice. All 582 00:31:56,730 --> 00:31:58,049 Rob Simmelkjaer: right. Before we let you guys go, I want to 583 00:31:58,290 --> 00:32:01,530 Rob Simmelkjaer: get one kind of memory or moment or something you're 584 00:32:01,530 --> 00:32:04,590 Rob Simmelkjaer: really even looking forward to this year when it comes 585 00:32:04,590 --> 00:32:08,280 Rob Simmelkjaer: to the marathon, the TCS New York City Marathon. Is 586 00:32:08,280 --> 00:32:11,190 Rob Simmelkjaer: there a favorite memory? Tom, I'll start with you. Something 587 00:32:11,190 --> 00:32:14,849 Rob Simmelkjaer: that's really stood out to you as something really great 588 00:32:14,849 --> 00:32:17,669 Rob Simmelkjaer: when it comes to being a part of this event 589 00:32:17,670 --> 00:32:20,460 Rob Simmelkjaer: and everything that it represents in the sport of running 590 00:32:20,460 --> 00:32:21,659 Rob Simmelkjaer: and here in New York? 591 00:32:22,709 --> 00:32:26,880 Tom Carleo: I think this year, the intensity we have around community, 592 00:32:26,880 --> 00:32:30,360 Tom Carleo: around integrating our ambassadors, our athletes, getting all of the 593 00:32:30,360 --> 00:32:34,500 Tom Carleo: internal New Balance- type stuff we talked about earlier, fully 594 00:32:34,500 --> 00:32:37,649 Tom Carleo: wired again and seeing that come to life a few 595 00:32:37,650 --> 00:32:39,989 Tom Carleo: weeks ago in Brooklyn and knowing what that's going to 596 00:32:39,990 --> 00:32:43,530 Tom Carleo: feel like next year at the Big One is super 597 00:32:43,530 --> 00:32:46,680 Tom Carleo: exciting. I think last year we all just left with 598 00:32:46,860 --> 00:32:49,500 Tom Carleo: the tangibles. It was the best year we ever had 599 00:32:49,500 --> 00:32:53,160 Tom Carleo: in terms of our service to the runners, the sales 600 00:32:53,190 --> 00:32:55,649 Tom Carleo: line at the expo and at the Run Hub and 601 00:32:55,650 --> 00:33:00,030 Tom Carleo: online, but also those intangibles of just like how excited 602 00:33:00,330 --> 00:33:02,520 Tom Carleo: people were to truly feel like they were part of 603 00:33:02,520 --> 00:33:05,820 Tom Carleo: something that was bigger than them. So yeah, this year, 604 00:33:05,970 --> 00:33:08,250 Tom Carleo: this whole year so far, has felt really special. 605 00:33:09,030 --> 00:33:11,790 Rob Simmelkjaer: Anne, what about MasterCard? What has stood out to you 606 00:33:11,790 --> 00:33:15,300 Rob Simmelkjaer: in terms of a great moment? Something priceless for MasterCard at- 607 00:33:15,719 --> 00:33:19,920 Anne Valentzas: Yeah. You know what, if you think about it, this marathon is 608 00:33:19,920 --> 00:33:23,940 Anne Valentzas: a cultural and economic force for the city, but the 609 00:33:23,940 --> 00:33:28,320 Anne Valentzas: backbone of that, the backbone of our communities really is 610 00:33:28,320 --> 00:33:32,280 Anne Valentzas: small businesses. We use this as an opportunity to shine 611 00:33:32,280 --> 00:33:35,520 Anne Valentzas: a light on this diverse small businesses across New York 612 00:33:35,520 --> 00:33:39,810 Anne Valentzas: City and we've done some incredible work with some amazing 613 00:33:39,810 --> 00:33:43,890 Anne Valentzas: small businesses. One of them was our partners, Sol Cacao. 614 00:33:43,890 --> 00:33:47,880 Anne Valentzas: They are a chocolatier in the Bronx. If you haven't 615 00:33:47,880 --> 00:33:52,290 Anne Valentzas: tried them, you should. It's delicious. And they were actually 616 00:33:52,559 --> 00:33:55,709 Anne Valentzas: struggling a bit. They just opened their doors in 2018 617 00:33:55,710 --> 00:34:00,060 Anne Valentzas: and when COVID hit, they were really struggling with their business. 618 00:34:00,060 --> 00:34:03,660 Anne Valentzas: They needed to expand their business online and find a 619 00:34:03,660 --> 00:34:07,319 Anne Valentzas: new footprint. So we have tools and resources to help 620 00:34:07,320 --> 00:34:10,109 Anne Valentzas: small businesses. We have something called Digital Doors that help 621 00:34:10,109 --> 00:34:15,540 Anne Valentzas: small businesses get online. We brought Sol Cacao into the 622 00:34:15,540 --> 00:34:19,860 Anne Valentzas: expo and we gave them that exposure to the 50, 000- 623 00:34:19,860 --> 00:34:23,520 Anne Valentzas: plus runners and friends and family who attend that expo. 624 00:34:23,790 --> 00:34:26,670 Anne Valentzas: We enabled them with tools like Apple Tap to pay 625 00:34:26,670 --> 00:34:31,830 Anne Valentzas: on iPhone, which allowed them to accept payments without a 626 00:34:31,830 --> 00:34:33,930 Anne Valentzas: point of sale device. You just need a phone, an 627 00:34:33,930 --> 00:34:37,620 Anne Valentzas: iPhone and we gave them that incredible exposure. Their business 628 00:34:37,620 --> 00:34:39,660 Anne Valentzas: is booming today. You can actually find them now at 629 00:34:39,660 --> 00:34:42,690 Anne Valentzas: Target so they're a fantastic partner. And that's the stuff 630 00:34:42,690 --> 00:34:46,529 Anne Valentzas: that thrills us. See these small businesses really benefit from 631 00:34:46,529 --> 00:34:49,859 Anne Valentzas: our support and it's an important part of our business. 632 00:34:50,340 --> 00:34:53,280 Rob Simmelkjaer: Denise, Citizens hasn't been with us for just quite a 633 00:34:53,280 --> 00:34:55,380 Rob Simmelkjaer: year yet, but what's been the highlight so far? 634 00:34:55,800 --> 00:35:01,260 Denise Wolffs: Oh, I'd say besides being there very early that last 635 00:35:01,710 --> 00:35:04,709 Denise Wolffs: November 5th at the starting line, it was the entire 636 00:35:04,709 --> 00:35:07,500 Denise Wolffs: day. But what I'd say really is this. It's really 637 00:35:07,500 --> 00:35:10,469 Denise Wolffs: about connecting with the runners and connecting with the running 638 00:35:10,469 --> 00:35:13,980 Denise Wolffs: community, which is not just about runners. It's the runners, 639 00:35:13,980 --> 00:35:17,099 Denise Wolffs: it's the friends, it's the families, it's the spectators. And 640 00:35:17,099 --> 00:35:19,229 Denise Wolffs: when you think about that expo booth that we did 641 00:35:19,230 --> 00:35:22,558 Denise Wolffs: last year that was illuminated, it was all about really 642 00:35:22,559 --> 00:35:25,500 Denise Wolffs: connecting to the different communities of New York. As I 643 00:35:25,500 --> 00:35:27,930 Denise Wolffs: said, we wanted to show people that we were along 644 00:35:27,930 --> 00:35:31,170 Denise Wolffs: the route and in your neighborhood, and we did. People 645 00:35:31,170 --> 00:35:33,179 Denise Wolffs: were able to go to five different boroughs of New 646 00:35:33,179 --> 00:35:37,110 Denise Wolffs: York, take customized selfies, which was terrific. We were so 647 00:35:37,110 --> 00:35:39,150 Denise Wolffs: proud to partner with New York Road Runners and have 648 00:35:39,150 --> 00:35:43,770 Denise Wolffs: a Citizens green stage with 19 different topics that were 649 00:35:43,770 --> 00:35:46,260 Denise Wolffs: taking place over the three days. But the other thing 650 00:35:46,260 --> 00:35:48,150 Denise Wolffs: I'd say, really, and just to sum it up, is 651 00:35:48,150 --> 00:35:50,730 Denise Wolffs: connecting with the runners and their friends and the families 652 00:35:50,820 --> 00:35:53,579 Denise Wolffs: and seeing the smiles on the faces when they left 653 00:35:53,580 --> 00:35:56,969 Denise Wolffs: the Javits Center and were able to take Citizens- branded 654 00:35:56,969 --> 00:36:00,510 Denise Wolffs: taxis back to their hotels or homes, I should preface 655 00:36:00,510 --> 00:36:04,259 Denise Wolffs: it within a two- mile radius, free of charge, when 656 00:36:04,260 --> 00:36:06,300 Denise Wolffs: they were tired or they wanted to save their legs, 657 00:36:06,510 --> 00:36:09,600 Denise Wolffs: really added to the excitement of the pre- race festivities. 658 00:36:09,719 --> 00:36:12,809 Denise Wolffs: And we couldn't be more excited to continue with the 659 00:36:12,809 --> 00:36:15,959 Denise Wolffs: Citizens Queens 10K to be part of all of the 660 00:36:15,960 --> 00:36:19,230 Denise Wolffs: marquee races that we are so delighted and so honored 661 00:36:19,230 --> 00:36:21,180 Denise Wolffs: to be a part of and to be there on 662 00:36:21,180 --> 00:36:22,230 Denise Wolffs: November 3rd. 663 00:36:22,380 --> 00:36:24,180 Rob Simmelkjaer: Denise, before I say goodbye, I just want you to 664 00:36:24,180 --> 00:36:27,150 Rob Simmelkjaer: know, I ran with a guy this morning who wanted 665 00:36:27,150 --> 00:36:30,960 Rob Simmelkjaer: to thank Citizens for the bib pickup in Queens for the 666 00:36:30,989 --> 00:36:34,080 Rob Simmelkjaer: Citizens Queens 10K. He was running the race and loved 667 00:36:34,080 --> 00:36:36,089 Rob Simmelkjaer: being able to pick up his bib out there with 668 00:36:36,090 --> 00:36:37,081 Rob Simmelkjaer: you guys. So that- 669 00:36:37,081 --> 00:36:37,351 Denise Wolffs: That's terrific. 670 00:36:37,980 --> 00:36:45,660 Rob Simmelkjaer: Can we get a big hand for our incredible group? On 671 00:36:45,660 --> 00:36:48,540 Rob Simmelkjaer: behalf of all of our runners and our members at 672 00:36:48,540 --> 00:36:51,179 Rob Simmelkjaer: New York Road Runners, thank you all for your support 673 00:36:51,179 --> 00:36:52,889 Rob Simmelkjaer: of what we do at New York Road Runners. It 674 00:36:52,889 --> 00:36:55,950 Rob Simmelkjaer: would not be possible without all of you and your 675 00:36:55,950 --> 00:36:58,710 Rob Simmelkjaer: company so thank you very much. Again, thank you to 676 00:36:58,710 --> 00:37:02,309 Rob Simmelkjaer: Peloton for letting us invade and record live here at 677 00:37:02,309 --> 00:37:05,790 Rob Simmelkjaer: Peloton headquarters, this beautiful space here in New York City. 678 00:37:06,030 --> 00:37:10,859 Rob Simmelkjaer: Thanks again to Anne Valentzas, Tom Carleo and Denise Wolffs, and I 679 00:37:10,859 --> 00:37:13,890 Rob Simmelkjaer: am already excited for November. I hope all of you 680 00:37:13,890 --> 00:37:16,319 Rob Simmelkjaer: are as well. If you like this episode of Set 681 00:37:16,320 --> 00:37:19,980 Rob Simmelkjaer: the Pace, make sure to subscribe, rate, leave a comment 682 00:37:19,980 --> 00:37:23,399 Rob Simmelkjaer: for the show, wherever you are listening. This helps other 683 00:37:23,400 --> 00:37:26,430 Rob Simmelkjaer: people find the show as well. Thank you so much. 684 00:37:26,759 --> 00:37:28,529 Rob Simmelkjaer: We'll see you next time on Set the Pace. Enjoy 685 00:37:28,529 --> 00:37:29,130 Rob Simmelkjaer: the miles. 686 00:37:29,639 --> 00:37:31,950 Speaker 6: Get ready to go the extra mile with walking and 687 00:37:31,950 --> 00:37:35,520 Speaker 6: running content fit for all levels, available on the Peloton 688 00:37:35,520 --> 00:37:38,760 Speaker 6: app. Tap in and track your workouts all in one 689 00:37:38,760 --> 00:37:41,759 Speaker 6: place with the Just Walk or Just Run features to 690 00:37:41,759 --> 00:37:46,679 Speaker 6: easily get moving towards your goals. No equipment needed. Find 691 00:37:46,680 --> 00:37:49,650 Speaker 6: the Peloton app in the Apple, Android and Google App 692 00:37:49,650 --> 00:37:53,580 Speaker 6: Stores. Peloton, the official digital fitness partner for New York 693 00:37:53,580 --> 00:37:53,820 Speaker 6: Road Runners.