On Wednesday, May 1, the Financial Times hosted a 125th anniversary party at a mansion in New York to celebrate the news organization’s milestone year. The exclusive, invitation-only event was the first in a series of global receptions hosted by John Ridding, CEO, FT Group, and Lionel Barber, Editor, Financial Times, and gathered more than 300 leaders in business, media, technology, luxury, politics and academia.
Following remarks from John Ridding and Lionel Barber, special guest speaker Mayor Michael Bloomberg shared his congratulations and proclaimed, “it is no secret why this is one of the great newspapers of the world, and it is because the Financial Times is direct, insightful, independent, fair and you can trust what you read in this paper. The paper has always been on the cutting edge of financial journalism since its first days. With the Financial Times you’re getting world class journalism from top tier talent, and as you know, they are an indispensable business resource trusted by professionals from every industry in every corner of the world.”
Guests enjoyed creative and whimsical canapés prepared by Mary Giuliani Events and pink champagne and wine generously provided by Moët Hennessy. The event featured entertainment from an Élan Artists jazz trio performing in a moonlit courtyard and alumni from Syracuse University College of Visual and Performing Arts bid farewell to guests wearing nineteenth century newsboy garb.
Event sponsors included Moët Hennessy, Links of London, Godiva, Alpine Creative Group and Aromatherapy Associates.
The event capped off a week of activities celebrating the 125th anniversary, including a special subscription offer for US readers, FT branded hot air balloons in New York City and New Jersey, FT executives ringing the Closing Bell at the New York Stock Exchange, the Empire State Building lighting up FT pink in honor of the anniversary and appearances on Charlie Rose, MSNBC Morning Joe, CNBC Closing Bell with Maria Bartiromo, and Fareed Zakaria GPS.
Photos are available here.