Corporate Magic Orchestrates 15th Annual Red Kettle Campaign Kickoff during Cowboys Thanksgiving Game

	Red Kettle campaign at the Dallas Cowboys' Thanksgiving game halftime show.

For nearly 125 years, the Salvation Army's signature Red Kettle Campaign has collected billions of dollars to provide a critical lifeline to the homeless, counseling and safe harbor for the neglected and abused, and after-school meals, early education classes, physical fitness programs, and more for disadvantaged children. Thursday, November 28, marked the 17th year in which the Red Kettle Campaign was officially launched during the Dallas Cowboys' Thanksgiving game halftime show. Over the previous 14 years, the Salvation Army has raised more than $1.4 billion through the campaign. Army officials attribute an exponential increase in donations to the high-profile platform provided by the Cowboys since 1997.

Only the Super Bowl halftime show is seen by more people every year. This year's featured performer was pop sensation and Dallas native Selena Gomez.

This was also the 13th year in which the messaging architects at Corporate Magic were engaged by the Cowboys to help conceptualize, design, stage, and produce the globally televised show. Stephen Dahlem, Corporate Magic's senior creative director, was again tasked with ensuring that every detail of the presentation proceeded according to plan.

Dahlem's close collaboration with Gomez's team made for particularly smooth sailing this year.

"It's always a pleasure to work with an artist whose team is so engaged in the process," said Dahlem. "Selena's team is a dream. Charm La'Donna, her choreographer, is such an adorably talented pro. The fact that she was open to casting eight of her backup dancers in Dallas, instead of flying everyone in from Los Angeles, shows just how flexible she is. It's also a testament to the level of talent here in North Texas."

Charlotte Jones Anderson, executive vice president of brand management/president of charities for the Dallas Cowboys, has served since 2010 as national advisory board chairperson for the Salvation Army, the nation's largest faith-based social service charity. Anderson is also the visionary behind the annual halftime shows.

"Stephen and his team at Corporate Magic have done an extraordinary job on our halftime shows for more than a decade," said Jones Anderson. "I have complete faith in them to make certain everything goes off without a hitch, in spite of the challenges we face together. Selena's show was truly special, and Corporate Magic was right there behind the scenes orchestrating every last detail."

"It may sound strange, but I have so much fun working on the Cowboys' halftime shows that I can't think of a better way to spend Thanksgiving," said Dahlem. "Charlotte is always a joy to work with, and each year she challenges us to push the creative envelope even further. Her dedication to pulling off the best possible launch of the Red Kettle Campaign is laudable, and we take seriously our role in making it come to life."

The Salvation Army is one of the world's most important charitable organizations. Donations to the Red Kettle Campaign are dedicated to many life-sustaining programs, including those that help nourish, protect, and educate disadvantaged children.