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The Paley Center for Media’s grand reopening drew a star-studded crowd, including notable figures from the media world and sports legends like Eli Manning and Robert Kraft. The event celebrated the unveiling of the newly revamped theater at the Paley Museum.
Giants legend Manning and Patriots owner Kraft were joined by NBCUniversal News Chairman Cesar Conde, AMC Networks CEO Kristin Dolan, and Andreas Dracopoulos from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation—who all serve on the Paley board. Together with Paley President and CEO Maureen Reidy and Chairman Frank A. Bennack Jr., they participated in the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The ceremony marked the opening of the Bennack Theater and the George J. Gillespie III Theater within the Midtown museum. This development is the initial phase of a major renovation of the 50-year-old institution, which Bennack described as “a national treasure.”
In addition to the theaters, the renovated public spaces feature the newly christened Bloomberg Gallery and the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Entrance, all housed within the striking Philip Johnson-designed museum.
The Paley Center for Media, which operates the Paley Museum, was established by CBS founder William S. Paley in 1975. Since 1991, the nonprofit organization has been led by Frank A. Bennack Jr., the former CEO of Hearst.
“For five decades, Paley has stood at the intersection of media, culture, and education, serving as a trusted resource for public audiences and educators alike,” said Bennack. “Recognized as the premier gathering place for the industry — presenting programs with unmatched convening power — Paley has evolved to its place as the preeminent media industry nonprofit… On this 50th anniversary, as we look to the future, Paley will continue to innovate and lead — shaping the conversation and inspiring generations to come.”
Maureen J. Reidy, president and CEO of the Paley Center, added in a statement for the 50th anniversary event: “With the unveiling of our newly renovated theaters and galleries, we extend our deepest gratitude to our generous donors — including the William S. Paley Foundation, Bloomberg Philanthropies, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, and the Hearst Foundations — for making these new spaces possible.”
The center’s current PaleyFest NY runs through Nov. 16, featuring conversations with Manning, country singer Trisha Yearwood and the casts and creative teams from the television shows “Pluribus,” “Landman,” “Power Book IV: Force” and “A Man on the Inside.”
On Nov. 22, museum will launch PaleyLand, its annual holiday exhibit steps from Rockefeller Center.
For those keeping score, Manning beat the Pats in two Super Bowls, in 2008 and 2012.