St. Louis, MO—September 12, 2023—This summer, Nine PBS producers traveled to London to cover the activities of local business and civic leaders as they promoted St. Louis on the global stage. A delegation led by Greater St. Louis, Inc., Explore St. Louis, and World Trade Center St. Louis spent a week highlighting the Gateway City and pitching global business investment in the St. Louis metro area. The team from Nine PBS was on hand every step of the way, covering important events and stories.
In Power of the Pitch, a special airing on Nine PBS September 18, Emmy Award-winning Nine PBS producer Anne-Marie Berger explores professional sports in the Stratford District of London, home to London Stadium, and a historically disinvested area of the city that was revitalized by the construction of the stadium and arrival of Premiere League team, West Ham United.
The special examines all the ways professional sports can impact a city and looks at the way London parallels what is happening in St. Louis. It’s a story about our Downtown West neighborhood transformed by a great MLS expansion team, spurring development and renewed community spirit. It’s a story about taking risks, betting on what’s possible, exceeding expectations, and learning from our past mistakes to build a stronger future for all.
“We’re committed to our role as a trusted hub of information for the region,” said Aja Williams, Vice President and Chief Content Officer of Nine PBS. “We’re here to tell the stories that matter—stories that lift this community up, show possibilities, and highlight solutions that can help our region thrive. Power of the Pitch is a great example of how Nine PBS is working to change the narrative of our city by showcasing positive steps to build a vibrant St. Louis.”
The trip coincided with the two-game series between the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs, and an event at the United States Embassy including a panel discussion featuring former Cardinals Ozzie Smith, Al Hrabosky, and Ted Simmons and moderated by Cardinals’ radio broadcaster John Rooney. Business and civic leaders from St. Louis also participated in a panel discussion with leaders from London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. The discussion focused on the power of sports to catalyze social and economic change in urban neighborhoods.
In addition to the MLB series and panel discussion with high-ranking business and civic leaders, Nine PBS producers traveled to the East London neighborhood where the London Stadium is located for interviews and wrapped up production with more interviews in St. Louis.
“There are a lot of challenges our region needs to address and overcome, but we also have opportunities in front of us that can affect change, not only Downtown but across our region,” said Berger. “We examined what we can learn from the East End of London and what’s at stake if we don’t. It’s an incredible opportunity to connect St. Louis to the wider world, and we’re proud to tell the story.”
Power of the Pitch airs September 18 at 7 pm on Nine PBS. Stream anytime following the broadcast on the free PBS App. Power of the Pitch is supported by UMB Bank.
About Nine PBS
As an essential community institution, Nine PBS magnifies and deepens understanding of our community to help our region flourish. We tell stories that move us. We meet people where they are the most comfortable consuming content. Nine PBS’s platforms include four distinct broadcast channels, ninepbs.org, social media, the free PBS App, streaming services, live and virtual events, and the Public Media Commons. Since 1954, Nine PBS has accepted the community’s invitation into their homes, schools, and businesses. Follow Nine PBS on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok.
For more information, contact:
Sarah Brandt
Director of Communications
(314) 359-2121
sbrandt@ninepbs.org