About Us

MetLife Becomes an Official Sponsor of the Bolshoi Theater of Russia

Press release

MOSCOW, Sept. 22, 2011 – MetLife, Inc., a leading global provider of insurance, annuities and employee benefit programs has become an official sponsor of Russia’s cultural icon – the State Academic Bolshoi Theater. A world-famous performing arts institution, now in its 236th season, the Bolshoi has an unrivaled focus on quality that mirrors MetLife’s own commitment to excellence. Both institutions share many qualities, including a proud past and grand tradition, that have earned them global recognition and admiration. In Russia, MetLife has been present on the insurance market for more than a decade and operates as ZAO "ALICO".

"We have a steadfast commitment to the Russian market," said William J. Toppeta, president, MetLife International, " and it’s only fitting that our company comes together with the Bolshoi to celebrate hard work and great achievement. We are invested in building the best insurance company in Russia, and, through this sponsorship, we want to become an even stronger part of the social and cultural fabric of this great country".

Anatoly Iksanov, CEO of the Bolshoi Theater, said, "We are very excited to have MetLife, a successful company with impressive heritage, as our official sponsor. This season is very important for the Bolshoi – we will re-open the historic main stage to the public after a long renovation and will be performing on both stages – and MetLife’s support is especially valuable now".

President of ZAO "ALICO", Alexander Zaretskyi, added that the idea of sponsoring the Bolshoi had been germinating for a long time and could finally be realized when ZAO "ALICO" became part of MetLife in November 2010. "With our new corporate parent, our dream to become a sponsor of one of the world’s greatest theaters has come true", Zaretskyi said. "The sponsorship clearly demonstrates MetLife’s serious intentions and long-term business outlook for Russia. We are proud to promote great art, and we are proud about our company’s role in developing the Russian insurance market, improving insurance literacy in the country, and helping our customers get the right financial protection solutions for themselves and their families".

MetLife is the first ever American company to sponsor the Boshoi.

MetLife Alico in Russia
ZAO "ALICO Insurance Company" or ZAO "ALICO" (hereafter - MetLife Alico) - a company of MetLife Inc. group, has been acting in Russia since 1994 on the basis of the license C № 3256 77 issued by the Federal Service of Insurance Supervision (FSIS).
In 2010 MetLife Alico has marked its 16th anniversary of market entry in Russia.
Through diversified sales network in 18 cities in Russia and via its partners, working over the whole territory of Russia from Kaliningrad to Vladivostok, MetLife Alico provides consumers and businesses with products and services for life, accident and health insurance.
According to the FSIS official statistics in 2008-2010 MetLife Alico ranked No. 1 on the Russian life insurance market by total premium collection.
More than 600 000 individual clients have implicitly entrusted their insurance coverage and provision of long-term savings to MetLife Alico. About 730 leading Russian and international companies have chosen MetLife Alico as reliable partner and provider of insurance services to their employees.
Strong financial position and high level of services of MetLife Alico has been confirmed by the highest credit rating "ruAAA" assigned by the international rating agency "Standard&Poor's".
For more details please visit www.metlifealico.com

MetLife in the world
MetLife, Inc. is a leading global provider of insurance, annuities and employee benefit programs, serving 90 million customers in over 50 countries. Through its subsidiaries and affiliates, MetLife holds leading market positions in the United States, Japan, Latin America, Asia Pacific, Europe and the Middle East.

For more details please visit www.metlife.com

For additional information please contact:
Elena Solomentseva, Head of PR and communications.
Tel. +7 495 937 5995 ext. 2237, Elena.Solomentseva@alico.ru