The synthesis and photophysical properties of a ruthenium(II) complex bearing an electron-accepting 2,2';6',2''-terpyridine ligand and an electron-donating N,N'-dimethyl-N,N'-dipyridin-2-ylpyridine-2,6-diamine (ddpd) ligand are presented. The heteroleptic complex is easily prepared isomerically pure and features intense low-energy metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (MLCT) absorption bands and intense room temperature (3)MLCT emission with a long (3)MLCT lifetime. The favorable photophysical properties are due to the strong ligand field imposed by the ddpd ligand.