Corporate Partnership
CTA's Corporate Partnership program is a strategic initiative designed to create partnerships with well-established sponsors for a broad range of CTA assets.
This innovative program creates business across the board. It delivers unique opportunities, dynamic communication and promotion platforms, access to CTA’s world-class iconic assets, and innovative branding connections.
Through this program, CTA is seeking long-term partnerships that will provide value and benefits. Strategic partnership opportunities will be customized to meet specific requirements and, in addition to business generation, will include communication and promotion, access to facilities, branding, hospitality, events and naming rights of assets.
Our Partners
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The Chicago Sun-Times is the exclusive sponsor of First Day of School Free Rides, which provides free rides on the first day of school for grade and high school students and their parents, encouraging attendance on the first day of school and ensuring that our community’s children start the school year off strong. |
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MillerCoors is the official sponsor of CTA’s Penny Rides program, which provides free rides on New Year’s Eve to encourage safe and responsible celebration of the New Year’s holiday. |
Opportunities
Due to the response of interested potential partners, we have extended the deadline for Station Sponsorship proposals to 12 Noon CST on Friday, September 28, 2012.
Addendum #1 to Station Sponsorship Requests for Proposals:
Announcing that the pending Requests for Proposals relating to station sponsorships are revised to permit proposals from businesses engaged in betting/gambling: Read addendum (.pdf)
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Asset
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Download Application Packet
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Release Date
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Response Due Date (12pm CDT)
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Term (years)
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Stations
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79th (Red)
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download
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May 30, 2012
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September 28, 2012
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8
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95th (Red)
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download
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May 30, 2012
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September 28, 2012
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8
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Ashland/63rd (Green)
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download
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May 30, 2012
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September 28, 2012
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8
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Addison (Red)
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download
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May 30, 2012
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September 28, 2012
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8
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Belmont (Red/Brown/Purple)
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download
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May 30, 2012
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September 28, 2012
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8
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Chicago (Red)
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download
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May 30, 2012
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September 28, 2012
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8
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Fullerton (Red/Brown/Purple)
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download
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May 30, 2012
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September 28, 2012
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8
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Grand (Red)
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download
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May 30, 2012
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September 28, 2012
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8
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Midway (Orange)
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download
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May 30, 2012
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September 28, 2012
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8
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North/Clybourn (Red)
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download
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May 30, 2012
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September 28, 2012
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8
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O’Hare (Blue)
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download
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May 30, 2012
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September 28, 2012
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8
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Candidate sponsor criteria
Prohibited categories
First, your brand will need to meet our advertising guidelines for acceptable brands, products and services. See CTA's advertising guidelines in this ordinance for more information:
- Ordinance 12-030: An ordinance repealing Ordinance Nos. 91-169, 97-144, and 008-147 related to advertising on the Chicago Transit Authority property, and adopting amended and restated guidelines
General Criteria
The following criteria will be considered in the review of responses to a request for proposals under the program:
- Filter Criteria
Proposers must meet the following criteria:
- Business already established in the U.S. or have fulfilled all legal requirements/compliance to establish a business within the U.S.
- Established for at least two (2) years
- Financially stable (must provide audited financial statements for the last 2 years)
- No history of fraudulent/unethical behavior
- Satisfactory record of contractual performance
- Businesses in the following categories will not be considered for participation: Adult Content, Political Parties and Messages, Arms/Guns, Family Names, Religious Groups and Associations
- Additional Desirable Criteria
- Corporate social responsibility policy in place or in-process
- Economic Criteria
If all criteria listed under “Filter Criteria” are met, CTA will take into consideration the financial offers and implementation proposals for each asset, which are listed below in order of relative importance:
- Financial Offer
- Ideas on activating the partnership deal
- Ideas on how to promote CTA
- Ideas on corporate social responsibility activities to be attached to the program
- Additional partnership and business generation ideas
- "Makes more sense"
How to apply
To apply, download an application packet (above) and return 5 copies of the complete forms via mail to:
Todd Parker, IMG
304 Park Avenue South
New York, NY 10010
Q&A
What is corporate partnership?
Corporate Partnership is a program created by CTA to promote corporate investment in our transit system. Companies can invest in a unique opportunity to promote their brand through CTA assets. Benefits to the Corporate Partner might include being promoted in CTA press releases, having the right to advertise on the CTA system, and having their name or logo incorporated into a CTA station name and signage.
Where will my brand name appear if I sponsor a program?
Benefits of sponsoring a program may include: advertising within a station or on trains and buses, company name or logo on CTA’s website, and recognition in CTA press releases. Please see individual asset information packages for specific benefits associated with sponsoring various assets.
What if I’m interested in an asset not listed under the list of available opportunities?
Interested parties may contact:
Todd Parker, IMG
T: 312-275-8238
todd.parker@imgworld.com
304 Park Avenue South
New York, NY 10010
What will the incremental revenue from the Corporate Partnership program be used for?
The incremental revenue generated with be utilized by the CTA to offset costs, including, but not limited to: operation and maintenance of the transit system, expanding current services and implementation of new projects.
Are there any other transit agencies with this kind of Corporate Partnership Program?
Various transit agencies worldwide have implemented or are considering this innovative option to develop additional revenue streams. Examples include the Dubai, UAE subway system; AT&T Station in Philadelphia; and Barclay’s Center Station in New York.
How will Corporate Sponsor partners be selected?
All submissions will be reviewed and evaluated by predetermined criteria (link to criteria), including financial value to CTA, concept for a partnership, and fit with the CTA and neighborhood identity.
Contact us
If you need help applying or have questions about this program, contact:
Todd Parker, IMG
T: 312-275-8238
todd.parker@imgworld.com
304 Park Avenue South
New York, NY 10010