31 May 2008 06:39 Africa/Lagos
Spike TV Announces 2008 'Guys Choice' Winners
SECOND ANNUAL SHOW HOSTED BY "HAROLD & KUMAR" STARS JOHN CHO AND KAL PENN
PREMIERES ON SPIKE TV SUNDAY, JUNE 22 AT 10:00 PM, ET/PT
DOUBLE MANTLER WINNER MATT DAMON NAMED THE ULTIMATE "GUY OF THE YEAR" AND "BIGGEST ASS KICKER"
LEGENDARY ACTOR HARRISON FORD GIVEN "BRASS BALLS" AWARD
"THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT MARY" INDUCTED INTO "GUY MOVIE HALL OF FAME"
Show Features Performances And Appearances By Robert Downey, Jr., Jack Black, Cameron Diaz, Ben Stiller, Anne Hathaway, Steve Carell, LeBron James, Marisa Miller, Eva Mendes, Tila Tequila, Eli Manning, Snoop Dogg, Disturbed, Katy Perry and Many More
To View Exclusive Footage From "Guys Choice" Log-On to www.spike.com
LOS ANGELES, May 31 /PRNewswire/ -- Winners were announced last tonight during the second annual Spike TV "Guys Choice" (http://www.spike.com/guyschoice/) held at the Sony Studios in Los Angeles. Hosted by stars John Cho and Kal Penn, the show that pays homage to the best in "guydom" premieres on Spike TV (http://www.spike.com/) Sunday, June 22 (10:00 PM-Midnight, ET/PT).
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060322/NYW096LOGO )
Matt Damon netted two of the night's top honors as he was voted "Guy of the Year" by Spike TV viewers, and his portrayal of Jason Bourne in "The Bourne Ultimatum" earned him "Best Ass Kicker" bragging rights.
Box office smash hit "Iron Man" garnered the "Guy Movie of the Year" honor. Star Robert Downey, Jr. and director Jon Favreau were on hand to receive the award.
Playboy editor-in-chief and chief creative officer and American icon, Hugh Hefner, was given the first ever "Alpha Male Award" for his pioneering vision and ground-breaking achievements that forever changed the face of entertainment for men.
The show also honored one of the most successful comedies of all time, as "There's Something About Mary" was inducted into the "Guy Movie Hall of Fame" with Bobby and Peter Farrelly, as well as castmembers Ben Stiller, Cameron Diaz, Lin Shaye and Markie Post on hand to accept the honor. Diaz was also there to receive the "Decade of Hotness" award.
In addition, fresh off winning Super Bowl XLII, Eli Manning took home two awards, "Most Unstoppable Jock" and sharing "Badass DNA" with his brother Peyton. Spike TV's "GUYS CHOICE" also included a house-shaking performance by Disturbed, and appearances by Chuck Liddell, Harrison Ford, Marisa Miller, Robert Downey, Jr., Anne Hathaway, Steve Carell, Kim Kardashian, LeBron James, Eva Mendes, Tila Tequila, Snoop Dogg, and Jeremy Piven, among others.
In addition to honoring the sexiest women and coolest guys from the past year, the show featured unforgettable tributes to legendary entertainers, rockers and babes, as well as edgy stand-up comedy and ground breaking musical performances. A full list of winners is included below:
GUY OF THE YEAR ALPHA MALE GUY MOVIE OF THE YEAR
Matt Damon Hugh Hefner "Ironman"
BRASS BALLS NEXT BIG THING HOTTEST GIRL ON THE PLANET
Harrison Ford Megan Fox Jessica Biel
BALLSIEST BAND FUNNIEST M.F. GUY MOVIE HALL OF FAME
Linkin Park Steve Carell "There's Something About Mary"
BIGGEST ASS KICKER SEXIEST SIREN MOST UNSTOPPABLE JOCK
Jason Bourne Rihanna Eli Manning
KING OF COMEDY MOST DANGEROUS MAN DECADE OF HOTNESS
Chris Rock Anderson Silva Cameron Diaz
HOT N' FRESH PLAY OF THE YEAR OUTSTANDING LITERARY ACHIEVEMENT
Marisa Miller David Tyree Slash
REAL SPORTS MIRACLE BADASS DNA TOP FANTASY LEAGUER
Kevin Everett Eli/Peyton Manning LeBron James
HOTTEST EVA SO HOT THEY'RE FAMOUS PRESIDENTIAL VOTING CATEGORY
Eva Mendes Tila Tequila Barack Obama
FEMME FATALE HOT & FUNNY FIERCEST FEMALE
Jessica Simpson Sarah Silverman Milla Jovovich ("Resident Evil")
VIRAL VIDEO LUCKIEST BASTARD HILARIOUS DOT COM AWARD
I'm F**king Ben Brian Austin Green Funny or Die
Affleck
SICKEST RHYMES KILLER QUOTE FOXIEST PRESIDENTIAL GROUPIE
Kanye West "Don't taze me, bro." Hillary Hottie
To view exclusive footage, interviews, behind-the-scenes access, and more from the "Guys Choice," log-on to www.spike.com
The official sponsors of Spike TV's "Guys Choice" (http://www.spike.com/guyschoice/) are Cingular, now the new AT&T, Corona, Degree Men, Pizza Hut, Sega: "The Incredible Hulk Video" Game, SoBe and the U.S. Army.
Casey Patterson, Spike TV's senior vice president, event production & talent development, Carol Donovan and Beth McCarthy-Miller are executive producers.
Spike TV is available in 96.1 million homes and is a division of MTV Networks. A unit of Viacom (NYSE:VIA) (NYSE:VIA.B) , MTV Networks is one of the world's leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. Spike TV's Internet address is www.spike.com.
Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060322/NYW096LOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Spike TV
CONTACT: Shana Agron, +1-917-952-4106, shana.agron@spiketv.com;
AileenBudow, +1-917-842-9653, aileen.budow@spiketv.com,
both of Spike TV
Web site: http://www.spike.com/
http://www.spike.com/guyschoice
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Dima Bilan Clinches Russia's First Victory in the Eurovision Song Contest
Dima Bilan clinches Russia's first victory in the Eurovision Song Contest. The show, held this year in Belgrade, drew a television audience of some 100 million for the annual glitz-fest now in its 53rd year.
© 2008 Reuters
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Embassy of Jordan in Washington, DC Hosts Special Screening for Award Winning 'Captain Abu Raed'
21 May 2008 06:17 Africa/Lagos
Embassy of Jordan in Washington, DC Hosts Special Screening for Award Winning 'Captain Abu Raed'
WASHINGTON, May 21 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Embassy of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan hosted a special screening last evening for the award winning Jordanian film, "Captain Abu Raed," marking the first time the film is shown to Washington's diplomatic and policymaking circles.
"Captain Abu Raed," the first Jordanian feature film ever exported to the world's cinemas, is a winner of the Audience Award at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival and the Dubai International Film Festival. "We are very proud of the film's success here in the United States' vast and competitive movie industry. Films are indeed a potent intercultural weapon that we hope to use more often to enhance people's understanding of the complex beauty of our region," said His Royal Highness Prince Zeid Ra'ad, Jordan's Ambassador in the United States, as he welcomed guests at the screening. He added, "We can only expect more Jordanian winning films in the near future; especially given the rich pool of young and talented Jordanians aspiring to become part of the world of film and the arts."
"Captain Abu Raed" presents a universal story of friendship, inspiration and heroism set in contemporary Jordan. It is also a story of everyday people intersecting across social boundaries and of individual destinies coming together into one. The film also captures breathtaking footage of Amman and especially of East Amman, where the first settlers of the Capital gave life to the city.
The special screening was followed by a vibrant discussion with the talented writer and director Amin Matalqa and the esteemed executive producer David Pritchard. The discussion was moderated by Foreign Editor of the Washington Post, Scott Wilson who lived in Amman-Jordan as well as Jerusalem as the Post's chief Middle East correspondent.
The special screening is part of the Embassy's cultural program, organized by the Jordan Information Bureau, which aims to introduce the American audience to Jordan's rich cultural heritage and its hospitable and complex people.
For More Information, Contact 202-265-1606 or jordaninfo@aol.com
Source: Jordan Information Bureau
CONTACT: Jordan Information Bureau, +1-202-265-1606, jordaninfo@aol.com
Monday, May 19, 2008
COMEDY CENTRAL'S 'The Gong Show With Dave Attell' Holds Open Call Auditions in New York City on Thursday, May 22 From 11:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. ET
19 May 2008 17:56 Africa/Lagos
COMEDY CENTRAL'S 'The Gong Show With Dave Attell' Holds Open Call Auditions in New York City on Thursday, May 22 From 11:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. ET
Auditions Held At Arlene's Grocery at 95 Stanton Street in New York City
'The Gong Show With Dave Attell' Premieres Thursday, July 17 At 10:30 P.M. ET/PT*
NEW YORK, May 19 /PRNewswire/ -- The most original and wonderfully bizarre comedy variety show is now casting! The New York open casting call for "The Gong Show with Dave Attell" will take place Thursday, May 22 at Arlene's Grocery at 95 Stanton Street in Manhattan, from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET.
Performers should submit their name, phone number, type of act and any links or videos to gongshowcasting@aol.com or call 310-840-5721 to register for the open call audition.
COMEDY CENTRAL and host Dave Attell are looking for the wackiest, wildest, most bizarre, unique performers out there! All acts are welcome -- from cutting edge variety to stupid human tricks and animal tricks, from the dark to the daring to the downright insane! "The Gong Show with Dave Attell" premieres Thursday, July 17 at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT.
COMEDY CENTRAL, the only all-comedy network, currently is seen in more than 95 million homes nationwide. COMEDY CENTRAL is owned by, and is a registered trademark of, Comedy Partners, a wholly-owned division of Viacom Inc.'s (NYSE:VIA) (NYSE:and) (NYSE:VIA.B) MTV Networks. COMEDY CENTRAL's Internet address is www.comedycentral.com. For up-to-the-minute and archival press information and photographs visit Press Central, COMEDY CENTRAL's press Web site at www.comedycentral.com/press.
*All Times ET/PT
Source: COMEDY CENTRAL Corporate Communications
CONTACT: Jamie Lee of COMEDY CENTRAL Corporate Communications,+1-212-767-3949, jamie.lee@comedycentral.com
Web site: http://www.comedycentral.com/
COMEDY CENTRAL'S 'The Gong Show With Dave Attell' Holds Open Call Auditions in New York City on Thursday, May 22 From 11:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. ET
Auditions Held At Arlene's Grocery at 95 Stanton Street in New York City
'The Gong Show With Dave Attell' Premieres Thursday, July 17 At 10:30 P.M. ET/PT*
NEW YORK, May 19 /PRNewswire/ -- The most original and wonderfully bizarre comedy variety show is now casting! The New York open casting call for "The Gong Show with Dave Attell" will take place Thursday, May 22 at Arlene's Grocery at 95 Stanton Street in Manhattan, from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET.
Performers should submit their name, phone number, type of act and any links or videos to gongshowcasting@aol.com or call 310-840-5721 to register for the open call audition.
COMEDY CENTRAL and host Dave Attell are looking for the wackiest, wildest, most bizarre, unique performers out there! All acts are welcome -- from cutting edge variety to stupid human tricks and animal tricks, from the dark to the daring to the downright insane! "The Gong Show with Dave Attell" premieres Thursday, July 17 at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT.
COMEDY CENTRAL, the only all-comedy network, currently is seen in more than 95 million homes nationwide. COMEDY CENTRAL is owned by, and is a registered trademark of, Comedy Partners, a wholly-owned division of Viacom Inc.'s (NYSE:VIA) (NYSE:and) (NYSE:VIA.B) MTV Networks. COMEDY CENTRAL's Internet address is www.comedycentral.com. For up-to-the-minute and archival press information and photographs visit Press Central, COMEDY CENTRAL's press Web site at www.comedycentral.com/press.
*All Times ET/PT
Source: COMEDY CENTRAL Corporate Communications
CONTACT: Jamie Lee of COMEDY CENTRAL Corporate Communications,+1-212-767-3949, jamie.lee@comedycentral.com
Web site: http://www.comedycentral.com/
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Updated - The 'Hottest Ticket on Television' Has Been Announced: The BET Awards '08
The official press release on the 2008 BET Awards was sent out last night, but I waited to preview the preparations and nominees before reporting it.
I bet you that indeed BET Awards '08 is the hottest ticket on TV this summer.
Quincy Jones Will Be Honoured With The 2008 BET Humanitarian Award
17 May 2008 14:00 Africa/Lagos
Updated - The 'Hottest Ticket on Television' Has Been Announced: The BET Awards '08
T-Pain Leads the Pack with Five Nominations, Chris Brown Follows Closely with Four Nods, Kanye West and Keyshia Cole with Three and Mary J. Blige, Flo Rida and Alicia Keys Hold Steady with Two Each
The Eighth Annual BET AWARDS '08 Will Be Televised LIVE from Los Angeles' Famed Shrine Auditorium on Tuesday, June 24 with Performances by Usher, Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige, Lil' Wayne and Nelly.
Legendary R&B Icon Al Green to Receive BET's Lifetime Achievement Award and Celebrated Producer/Arranger/Composer Quincy Jones Set for BET's Humanitarian Award
T-Pain
NEW YORK, May 17 /PRNewswire/ -- BET Networks, a unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA; VIA.B), today announced the nominees, performers and recipients of the Lifetime Achievement and Humanitarian honors for the BET AWARDS '08. The BET AWARDS '08 is raising the stakes and promises to be the "hottest ticket on television" for the eighth year running, as the biggest stars in music, sports and entertainment unite in Los Angeles' historic Shrine Auditorium for a night of explosive LIVE performances on Tuesday, June 24 at 8:00 PM ET/PT. As in years past, the BET AWARDS '08 will continue its landmark tradition of hot performances by some of today's heavy hitters, including Usher, Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige, Lil' Wayne and Nelly. The host, along with additional presenters and performers, will be announced shortly.
Chris Brown
At this year's most hyped event, BET will recognize the achievements of artists, entertainers and athletes in 15 categories. Hip hop R&B singer, songwriter and producer T-Pain tops the line-up with five nominations for his collaborations with Chris Brown, Kanye West and Flo Rida, followed by Chris Brown with four nods and rapper/producer Kanye West earning three nominations with his successful third album, "Graduation," in the Best Male Hip Hop Artist, Best Collaboration and Video of the Year categories.
Kanye West
Among the other multiple nominees are R&B songstress Mary J. Blige for Best Female R&B, as well as Video of the Year for "Just Fine," along with Ne-Yo, Flo Rida, Alicia Keys and Keyshia Cole.
Keyshia Cole
Those nominated for the second straight year include Jay-Z and Lil' Wayne for Best Male Hip Hop; Mary J. Blige for Best Female R&B; last year's Best Male R&B winner Ne-Yo; Angela Bassett and Chandra Wilson for Best Actress; last year's winner, basketball sensation LeBron James, boxer Floyd Mayweather, Jr., and golfing phenomenon Tiger Woods for Male Athlete of the Year; smash hitter and four-time category winner Serena Williams and b-ball superstar Tamika Catchings for Female Athlete of the Year.
In keeping with the history-making track record of the most highly anticipated night in Black entertainment, BET is pulling out all of the stops in naming this year's special honorees. Legendary R&B icon Al Green will be in the house to receive BET's Lifetime Achievement Award. Joining him will be celebrated producer/arranger/composer Quincy Jones, who will be honored with BET's prestigious Humanitarian Award for his outreach to young African- Americans through the Listen Up Foundation, a charity which connects youth with music, technology and culture. In addition, Jones helped launch the We Are the Future project, giving hope to children in poor and conflict-ridden areas.
For the past seven years, the BET AWARDS has boasted unforgettable moments such as Michael Jackson's surprise appearance during James Brown's tribute; Rick James in his final duet with Teena Marie; Will Smith presenting Muhammad Ali with the first-ever Humanitarian Award; Prince onstage backing Chaka Khan; Stevie Wonder, Yolanda Adams and India.Arie in a powerhouse tribute to Rufus' first lady of funk; Destiny's Child's steamy lap dance; the reunion of one of hip hop's most beloved trios, The Fugees; and last year's touching opening performance with Jennifer Hudson and Jennifer Holliday and Public Enemy's tribute to James Brown.
BET has once again teamed with Cossette Productions, the famed producers of the GRAMMY Awards(R) and the seven record-setting BET AWARDS shows, to handle production of the telecast. Stephen Hill, BET Executive Vice President, Music and Programming, along with Lynne Harris-Taylor, BET Vice President of Specials, will executive produce the telecast.
BET AWARDS '08 will be sponsored by Dodge, Pepsi, Verizon Wireless, General Motors, P&G, Target, CIROC Vodka and Ford.
Log onto BET.com for BET On Blast video highlights, photos and continuous BET AWARDS '08 updates at www.bet.com/betawards.
BET AWARDS '08
NOMINEES AND CATEGORIES
Best Female R&B Best Male R&B Best Group
Mary J. Blige Chris Brown Danity Kane
Mariah Carey Raheem DeVaughn Day 26
Keyshia Cole J. Holiday Gnarls Barkley
Alicia Keys Ne-Yo Playaz Circle
Rihanna Trey Songz UGK
Best Gospel Artist Best Female Hip Hop Artist Best Male Hip Hop Artist
The Clark Sisters Missy Elliott Common
Kirk Franklin Eve Jay-Z
Deitrick Haddon Kid Sister Lil Wayne
Marvin Sapp Lil Mama Snoop Dogg
Trin-I-Tee 5:7 Trina Kanye West
Best New Artist Best Collaboration
Estelle Chris Brown f/ T-Pain "Kiss Kiss"
Flo Rida Keyshia Cole f/ Missy Elliott, Lil' Kim "Let It Go"
Chrisette Michelle Flo Rida f/ T-Pain "Low"
Soulja Boy Tell'em Kanye West f/ T-Pain "Good Life"
The Dream DJ Khaled f/ Young Jeezy, Ludacris, Busta Rhymes,
Big Boi, Lil Wayne, Fat Joe, Birdman and Rick Ross
"I'm So Hood (The Remix)"
Best Video Director Video of the Year
Erykah Badu and Mr. Roboto Ashanti "The Way That I Love You"
Benny Boom Erykah Badu "Honey"
Gil Green Mary J. Blige "Just Fine"
Chris Robinson Alicia Keys "Like You'll Never See Me Again"
Hype Williams UGK f/ Outkast "International Player's
Anthem (I Choose You)"
Kanye West f/ T-Pain "Good Life"
Best Actress Best Actor Female Athlete of the Year
Angela Bassett Anthony Anderson Tamika Catchings
Halle Berry Don Cheadle Cheryl Ford
Queen Latifah Idris Elba Candace Parker
Jill Scott Terrence Howard Serena Williams
Chandra Wilson Denzel Washington Venus Williams
Male Athlete of the Year Viewer's Choice Award
Kobe Bryant Chris Brown f/ T-Pain "Kiss Kiss"
LeBron James Keyshia Cole f/ Missy Elliott and Lil' Kim
Floyd Mayweather, Jr. "Let It Go"
Chris Paul Alicia Keys "No One"
Tiger Woods Lil Wayne f/ Static "Lollipop"
Jordin Sparks f/ Chris Brown "No Air"
Soulja Boy Tell'em "Crank Dat (Soulja Boy)"
Source: BET Networks
CONTACT: Tracy McGraw, BET Networks, +1-212-205-3013,
tracy.mcgraw@bet.net; or Bobbi Marcus, +1-310-889-9200, BOBBI MARCUS PR,
bobbi@bobbimarcuspr.com
Web site: BET
NOTE TO EDITORS: To apply for media credentials, please visit http://betawards2008.iwebreg.com/massapply/BET_Awards_2008/Media
I bet you that indeed BET Awards '08 is the hottest ticket on TV this summer.
Quincy Jones Will Be Honoured With The 2008 BET Humanitarian Award
17 May 2008 14:00 Africa/Lagos
Updated - The 'Hottest Ticket on Television' Has Been Announced: The BET Awards '08
T-Pain Leads the Pack with Five Nominations, Chris Brown Follows Closely with Four Nods, Kanye West and Keyshia Cole with Three and Mary J. Blige, Flo Rida and Alicia Keys Hold Steady with Two Each
The Eighth Annual BET AWARDS '08 Will Be Televised LIVE from Los Angeles' Famed Shrine Auditorium on Tuesday, June 24 with Performances by Usher, Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige, Lil' Wayne and Nelly.
Legendary R&B Icon Al Green to Receive BET's Lifetime Achievement Award and Celebrated Producer/Arranger/Composer Quincy Jones Set for BET's Humanitarian Award
T-Pain
NEW YORK, May 17 /PRNewswire/ -- BET Networks, a unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA; VIA.B), today announced the nominees, performers and recipients of the Lifetime Achievement and Humanitarian honors for the BET AWARDS '08. The BET AWARDS '08 is raising the stakes and promises to be the "hottest ticket on television" for the eighth year running, as the biggest stars in music, sports and entertainment unite in Los Angeles' historic Shrine Auditorium for a night of explosive LIVE performances on Tuesday, June 24 at 8:00 PM ET/PT. As in years past, the BET AWARDS '08 will continue its landmark tradition of hot performances by some of today's heavy hitters, including Usher, Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige, Lil' Wayne and Nelly. The host, along with additional presenters and performers, will be announced shortly.
Chris Brown
At this year's most hyped event, BET will recognize the achievements of artists, entertainers and athletes in 15 categories. Hip hop R&B singer, songwriter and producer T-Pain tops the line-up with five nominations for his collaborations with Chris Brown, Kanye West and Flo Rida, followed by Chris Brown with four nods and rapper/producer Kanye West earning three nominations with his successful third album, "Graduation," in the Best Male Hip Hop Artist, Best Collaboration and Video of the Year categories.
Kanye West
Among the other multiple nominees are R&B songstress Mary J. Blige for Best Female R&B, as well as Video of the Year for "Just Fine," along with Ne-Yo, Flo Rida, Alicia Keys and Keyshia Cole.
Keyshia Cole
Those nominated for the second straight year include Jay-Z and Lil' Wayne for Best Male Hip Hop; Mary J. Blige for Best Female R&B; last year's Best Male R&B winner Ne-Yo; Angela Bassett and Chandra Wilson for Best Actress; last year's winner, basketball sensation LeBron James, boxer Floyd Mayweather, Jr., and golfing phenomenon Tiger Woods for Male Athlete of the Year; smash hitter and four-time category winner Serena Williams and b-ball superstar Tamika Catchings for Female Athlete of the Year.
In keeping with the history-making track record of the most highly anticipated night in Black entertainment, BET is pulling out all of the stops in naming this year's special honorees. Legendary R&B icon Al Green will be in the house to receive BET's Lifetime Achievement Award. Joining him will be celebrated producer/arranger/composer Quincy Jones, who will be honored with BET's prestigious Humanitarian Award for his outreach to young African- Americans through the Listen Up Foundation, a charity which connects youth with music, technology and culture. In addition, Jones helped launch the We Are the Future project, giving hope to children in poor and conflict-ridden areas.
For the past seven years, the BET AWARDS has boasted unforgettable moments such as Michael Jackson's surprise appearance during James Brown's tribute; Rick James in his final duet with Teena Marie; Will Smith presenting Muhammad Ali with the first-ever Humanitarian Award; Prince onstage backing Chaka Khan; Stevie Wonder, Yolanda Adams and India.Arie in a powerhouse tribute to Rufus' first lady of funk; Destiny's Child's steamy lap dance; the reunion of one of hip hop's most beloved trios, The Fugees; and last year's touching opening performance with Jennifer Hudson and Jennifer Holliday and Public Enemy's tribute to James Brown.
BET has once again teamed with Cossette Productions, the famed producers of the GRAMMY Awards(R) and the seven record-setting BET AWARDS shows, to handle production of the telecast. Stephen Hill, BET Executive Vice President, Music and Programming, along with Lynne Harris-Taylor, BET Vice President of Specials, will executive produce the telecast.
BET AWARDS '08 will be sponsored by Dodge, Pepsi, Verizon Wireless, General Motors, P&G, Target, CIROC Vodka and Ford.
Log onto BET.com for BET On Blast video highlights, photos and continuous BET AWARDS '08 updates at www.bet.com/betawards.
BET AWARDS '08
NOMINEES AND CATEGORIES
Best Female R&B Best Male R&B Best Group
Mary J. Blige Chris Brown Danity Kane
Mariah Carey Raheem DeVaughn Day 26
Keyshia Cole J. Holiday Gnarls Barkley
Alicia Keys Ne-Yo Playaz Circle
Rihanna Trey Songz UGK
Best Gospel Artist Best Female Hip Hop Artist Best Male Hip Hop Artist
The Clark Sisters Missy Elliott Common
Kirk Franklin Eve Jay-Z
Deitrick Haddon Kid Sister Lil Wayne
Marvin Sapp Lil Mama Snoop Dogg
Trin-I-Tee 5:7 Trina Kanye West
Best New Artist Best Collaboration
Estelle Chris Brown f/ T-Pain "Kiss Kiss"
Flo Rida Keyshia Cole f/ Missy Elliott, Lil' Kim "Let It Go"
Chrisette Michelle Flo Rida f/ T-Pain "Low"
Soulja Boy Tell'em Kanye West f/ T-Pain "Good Life"
The Dream DJ Khaled f/ Young Jeezy, Ludacris, Busta Rhymes,
Big Boi, Lil Wayne, Fat Joe, Birdman and Rick Ross
"I'm So Hood (The Remix)"
Best Video Director Video of the Year
Erykah Badu and Mr. Roboto Ashanti "The Way That I Love You"
Benny Boom Erykah Badu "Honey"
Gil Green Mary J. Blige "Just Fine"
Chris Robinson Alicia Keys "Like You'll Never See Me Again"
Hype Williams UGK f/ Outkast "International Player's
Anthem (I Choose You)"
Kanye West f/ T-Pain "Good Life"
Best Actress Best Actor Female Athlete of the Year
Angela Bassett Anthony Anderson Tamika Catchings
Halle Berry Don Cheadle Cheryl Ford
Queen Latifah Idris Elba Candace Parker
Jill Scott Terrence Howard Serena Williams
Chandra Wilson Denzel Washington Venus Williams
Male Athlete of the Year Viewer's Choice Award
Kobe Bryant Chris Brown f/ T-Pain "Kiss Kiss"
LeBron James Keyshia Cole f/ Missy Elliott and Lil' Kim
Floyd Mayweather, Jr. "Let It Go"
Chris Paul Alicia Keys "No One"
Tiger Woods Lil Wayne f/ Static "Lollipop"
Jordin Sparks f/ Chris Brown "No Air"
Soulja Boy Tell'em "Crank Dat (Soulja Boy)"
Source: BET Networks
CONTACT: Tracy McGraw, BET Networks, +1-212-205-3013,
tracy.mcgraw@bet.net; or Bobbi Marcus, +1-310-889-9200, BOBBI MARCUS PR,
bobbi@bobbimarcuspr.com
Web site: BET
NOTE TO EDITORS: To apply for media credentials, please visit http://betawards2008.iwebreg.com/massapply/BET_Awards_2008/Media
Monday, May 12, 2008
Review: 'Speed Racer' A Mind-Numbing Extravaganz
About Speed Racer
From the Wachowski brothers and producer Joel Silver, creators of the groundbreaking "The Matrix" trilogy, comes the high-octane, live-action family adventure "Speed Racer," which follows the adventures of the young racecar driver Speed (Emile Hirsch) in his quest for glory in his thunderous Mach 5. The Wachowski brothers directed "Speed Racer" from their own screenplay. Joel Silver, Grant Hill, Andy Wachowski and Larry Wachowski are the producers, with David Lane Seltzer, Michael Lambert and Bruce Berman serving as executive producers. The film stars Emile Hirsch, Christina Ricci, John Goodman, Susan Sarandon, Matthew Fox, Benno Furmann, Hiroyuki Sanada, Asian pop superstar Rain, and Richard Roundtree. Based on the classic series created by anime pioneer Tatsuo Yoshida, the live-action "Speed Racer" will showcase the kind of revolutionary visual effects and cutting-edge storytelling that have become the benchmarks of the Wachowski brothers' films. "Speed Racer" is a Warner Bros. Pictures presentation, in association with Village Roadshow Pictures, of a Silver Pictures Production, in association with Anarchos Productions. This film is rated PG. www.speedracerthemovie.com
PRNEWSWIRE
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
Multi-Platinum Rapper and Actor T.I. Speaks to Toure about His Trouble With the Law in a BET News National Exclusive: 'T.I. Speaks' on May 7 @ 7: 30PM
6 May 2008 11:00 Africa/Lagos
Multi-Platinum Rapper and Actor T.I. Speaks to Toure about His Trouble With the Law in a BET News National Exclusive: 'T.I. Speaks,' Premiering Wednesday, May 7 at 7:30PM*
NEW YORK, May 6 /PRNewswire/ --
In his first televised interview since a plea bargain on weapon charges, multi-platinum recording artist and actor T.I., a.k.a. Clifford Harris, Jr., speaks exclusively to BET News in the half-hour special T.I. SPEAKS, premiering Wednesday, May 7 at 7:30 PM*. He directly answers the tough questions from host Toure and at-risk youth about his life and future after being sentenced to a year in prison. In a compelling moment, he explains why someone who seems to have everything -- money, power and fame -- would risk it all.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080506/NETU045 )
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070716/BETNETWORKSLOGO )
On October 13, 2007, T.I. was set to perform at BET's second annual HIP HOP AWARDS in Atlanta, but he never made it to the stage. Just hours before the show, the Grammy Award winner and budding actor was taken into custody by federal authorities who alleged that he gave his bodyguard cash to buy firearms. Never bashful in his lyrics about his days of drug dealing and guns, this arrest was just another line in the 27-year old Atlanta native's already long rap sheet.
While not making excuses for his poor decisions, the rapper discusses his best friend's murder in 2006 and explains how being a celebrity has its drawbacks and "ignites a certain paranoia." He says, "Every one knew me and I knew no one ... you can't tell if a person is a fan or not until the (car) window winds down." With a new baby on the way, a forthcoming marriage, a new album and the one-year jail sentence awaiting him, T.I. details how this entire ordeal has changed his life. Claiming a new understanding for life and its meaning, T.I. delivers a strong message about decision-making to a group of at-risk students and reveals his thoughts about going back to jail and his career's future. He says, "I must be a man and stand up and accept responsibility. I exercised extremely poor judgment, and for that, I must be willing to pay whatever price that comes before me."
For more on T.I. SPEAKS, viewers can go online to www.bet.com.
* All times ET/PT.
About BET Networks
BET Networks, a division of Viacom Inc. (NYSE:VIA) (NYSE:VIA.B) , is the nation's leading provider of quality entertainment, music, news and public affairs television programming for the African-American audience. The primary BET channel reaches more than 87 million households according to Nielsen Media Research, and can be seen in the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean. BET is the dominant African-American consumer brand with a diverse group of businesses extensions: BET.com, a leading internet destination for Black entertainment, music, culture, and news; BET Digital Networks -- BET J, BET Gospel and BET Hip Hop, attractive alternatives for cutting-edge entertainment tastes; BET Event Productions, a full-scale event management and production company; BET Home Entertainment, a collection of BET-branded offerings for the home environment including DVDs and video-on-demand; BET Mobile, which offers ringtones, games and video content for wireless devices; and BET International, an extension of BET network programming for global distribution.
Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080506/NETU045
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070716/BETNETWORKSLOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: BET Networks
CONTACT: Tricia N. Newell of BET Networks, +1-212-975-8230,
tricia_newell@bet.net
Web site: BET NETWORKS
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Madonna April 30 U.S. Performance at New York City's Roseland Ballroom Available to the Public for Free on MSN
You are invited to watch the live concert of the iconic Pop star, Madonna in the Roseland Ballroom on April 30, New York City.
Here is the video of Madonna's No.1 single '4 Minutes' , featuring Justin Timberlake
The details are in the following press release I received last might.
29 Apr 2008 17:43 Africa/Lagos
Madonna April 30 U.S. Performance at New York City's Roseland Ballroom Available to the Public for Free on MSN
Control Room and MSN present Madonna live - exclusively on music.msn.com/madonna; new songs including No.1 single '4 Minutes' unwrapped from Material Girl's highly anticipated Hard Candy CD.
LOS ANGELES, April 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --
Madonna's exclusive performance at New York City's famed Roseland Ballroom will be available live to millions of fans via an online broadcast at MSN Music, it was confirmed today by MSN and Control Room, which announced that the show will stream live Wednesday evening, April 30, at 10 p.m. EDT in the United States and will be available on demand to international audiences on May 15. Along with some past hits, Madonna will be debuting several new songs including her 37th No. 1 smash single "Four Minutes" from her upcoming CD Hard Candy, which is scheduled to be released on April 29. The Control Room- produced show will also include never-before-seen rehearsal footage, a pre- recorded interview with Madonna and her full performance, giving fans around the globe unprecedented access to one of the biggest music events of 2008 by simply logging on to MSN Music In Concert.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000822/MSFTLOGO)
"Madonna is a legendary performer, and we're thrilled to be bringing this live online broadcast to her fans on the heels of her Hall of Fame induction, her record-breaking 37th top-10 single '4 Minutes,' and in conjunction with the launch of this hotly anticipated new album," said Aaron Grosky, Control Room president. "As experts in bringing live music performances to the Web, Control Room will deliver Madonna fans an online experience that captures the excitement and authenticity of this exclusive show."
Control Room, the leading producer and distributor of world-class entertainment content, delivers nearly 40 live music shows per year to the MSN Music In Concert series. Past performances have included international superstars such as Rihanna, Jay-Z, Lenny Kravitz, Sheryl Crow and many more. Coming in May, fans can watch performances by Jack Johnson and Daughtry. The Music In Concert series (http://music.msn.com/inconcert), which is available in 42 countries and 21 languages through the international MSN network, gives music fans worldwide the chance to see live music performances from their favorite artists.
"MSN Music In Concert is one way we are bringing together the best and most compelling entertainment content on the Web," said Rob Bennett, general manager, entertainment, video and sports, MSN. "Madonna has a huge international following, and we are very excited that we're able to offer the exclusive webcast of her concert to her fans around the world."
About Control Room
As the leading producer and distributor of world-class entertainment, Control Room's live music programming showcases the world's biggest artists from a variety of venues through multi-platform broadcasts via television, broadband and wireless platforms. Control Room has produced and distributed nearly 100 live music events delivering the highest quality productions in the industry with 8-10 camera shoots in Native HD (1080p) and using Dolby 5.1 to ensure the most compelling audience experience. In 2007, Control Room produced the largest entertainment event in history, Live Earth. On July 7, 2007, the 7-continent, 24-hour music extravaganza featured 150 of the world's leading artists to raise awareness for the Climate Crisis with a message of solutions and personal responsibility.
About MSN Video
MSN Video is one of the largest free programmed video services on the Web, watched by more than 12 million unique users per month. In addition to streaming news, entertainment and sports video clips from more than 50 content partners including "The Today Show," FOX Sports, MSNBC, Reveille, Control Room, CBS, News Corp. and Fox Entertainment Group, MSN Video presents a broad array of live events to online audiences worldwide. More than 50 top advertisers support MSN Video, which is available to consumers at no charge. MSN Video is available on the Web at http://msnvideo.com/ to consumers in the U.S. MSN Video is also live in Australia, Canada, France (English and French), Japan, Netherlands, U.K., Brazil, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Singapore, Spain, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia, Mexico, Sweden, Belgium, Taiwan, India, Vietnam, Russia and in Spanish in the U.S. MSN Video is coming soon in China, Norway, Argentina, Chile and Columbia.
Overall, MSN, Windows Live and Microsoft.com attract more than 550 million unique users worldwide per month. With localized versions available globally in 42 markets and 21 languages, MSN is a world leader in delivering Web services to consumers and online advertising opportunities to businesses worldwide. Most recently, MSN partnered with Control Room to stream Live Earth, the largest online entertainment event in history, with over 62 million streams worldwide.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000822/MSFTLOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Microsoft
CONTACT: Brynn Vitale of Waggener Edstrom Worldwide,
+1-212-907-6649, bvitale@waggeneredstrom.com, or Rapid Response Team, Waggener
Edstrom Worldwide, +1-503-443-7070, rrt@waggeneredstrom.com, both for
Microsoft
Web site: Microsoft
NOTE TO EDITORS: If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft Web page at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass on Microsoft's corporate information pages. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication, but may since have changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact Microsoft's Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts listed at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/contactpr.mspx.
Monday, April 28, 2008
The Future of Film Distribution; Documentary LEADING TO WAR Released Worldwide on the Web in 19 Languages
Starring: George W. Bush, Dick Cheney Director: Barry J. Hershey Rating28 Apr 2008 14:00 Africa/Lagos
The Future of Film Distribution; Documentary LEADING TO WAR Released Worldwide on the Web in 19 Languages
BOSTON, April 28 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --
The unique documentary film LEADING TO WAR is redefining conventional film distribution. Praised by the German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung as a "staggering film," the 72-minute documentary, constructed from selected news footage, powerfully chronicles the Bush administration's rush to war in Iraq.
The release of LEADING TO WAR pushes the boundaries of film distribution beyond the new media strategies of even the most forward-thinking Hollywood studios. Taking a page from the Web 2.0 playbook, the producers of LEADING TO WAR are offering the complete film online for free via progressive streaming or download at www.LeadingToWar.com.
This is a far more powerful distribution system than is possible in theaters, as this release is available on demand, around the world. To support this international push, the film is subtitled in an unprecedented 19 languages.
The model is similar to that of a classic tiered Web 2.0 service like the photo sharing site Flickr.com. The product is provided for free, attracting a large number of users. An enhanced product is then offered to customers seeking a premium experience. For Flickr, it's more storage for photos, with fewer restrictions. For LEADING TO WAR, the premium experience is watching the film on DVD, which is available for purchase on the website via Amazon.com.
This new business model is what noted venture capitalist and blogger Fred Wilson named "The Freemium Business Model," which has been widely cited in leading business publications and blogs:
"Give your service away for free, possibly ad supported but maybe not, acquire a lot of customers very efficiently through word of mouth, referral networks, organic search marketing, etc, then offer premium priced value added services or an enhanced version of your service to your customer base."
For LEADING TO WAR, the DVD -- the premium product -- provides the highest quality viewing experience. The expectation is that DVD sales will be significantly increased by the higher viewership and awareness which only the free availability can attract.
This "Freemium" strategy is working. Notable comments online include:
"This is an amazing film. Let's buy DVDs to support these guys," "I'm buying the DVD for my parents," and "I will show this DVD to as many people as I can, and I will save it for my 3 year old son for his future watching."
In conjunction with the film, a companion website, www.LeadingToWar.com, examines the strategies and rhetorical techniques used by Bush officials. The film and website create the most comprehensive online resource about the build-up to the Iraq War.
To enhance the availability of LEADING TO WAR around the world, the film utilizes the Akamai Content Delivery Network, with 20,000 "edge servers" worldwide. This improves the quality of the streaming as well as the speed of download in virtually every country.
"We are amazed at the initial results," said producer Lewis Wheeler. "Within days of LeadingToWar.com going live, the film was viewed in each of the 19 subtitled languages, and within 2 weeks the site was visited from 142 different countries."
LEADING TO WAR was directed by Barry Hershey (whose first feature film, "The Empty Mirror," premiered at the Cannes International Film Festival) and was edited by two-time Emmy Award winner Marc Grossman.
For appearances and phone interviews with the filmmakers, contact Aaron
Lavallee at 001+301-887-1060 or aaron@kelleycampaigns.com
First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:
Source: LeadingToWar.com
CONTACT: Aaron Lavallee, 001+301-887-1060, aaron@kelleycampaigns.com,
for LeadingToWar.com
Web Site: Leading To War
Click To Watch Leading To War Now
Friday, April 25, 2008
Wesley Snipes Sentenced to Three Years Imprisonment
25 Apr 2008 00:06 Africa/Lagos
Wesley Snipes Sentenced to Three Years Imprisonment
OCALA, Fla., April 24 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --
U.S. District Judge Wm. Terrell Hodges today sentenced Wesley Trent Snipes to three years imprisonment for charges of failing to file income tax returns. Snipes was found guilty by a jury on February 1, 2008. Eddie Ray Kahn, of Sorrento, Florida, was sentenced to ten years' imprisonment and Douglas P. Rosile, of Venice, Florida, was sentenced to four years and six months' imprisonment.
The same jury found Kahn and Rosile guilty of conspiracy to defraud the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and presenting a fraudulent claim for payment to the IRS. Kahn was the founder and leader of American Rights Litigators (ARL), a tax protestor organization based in Lake County, Florida. Rosile prepared returns for ARL clients, such as Snipes.
"Snipes' long prison sentence should send a loud and crystal clear message to all tax defiers that if they engage in similar tax defier conduct, they face joining him and his co-defendants, Kahn and Rosile, as inmates in prison," said Nathan J. Hochman, Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department's Tax Division.
"The law is very clear: people must pay their taxes," said Internal Revenue Service Commissioner Douglas Shulman. "There is no secret formula that eliminates a person's tax obligations, nor are there any special exceptions. The majority of Americans pay their taxes timely and accurately. Those who willfully violate the law must be held accountable."
This case was investigated by the IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI). It was prosecuted by U.S. Attorney Robert E. O'Neill, Assistant United States Attorney Scot Morris, and Trial Attorney Jeffrey A. McLellan, U. S. Department of Justice Tax Division.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice
CONTACT: Steve Cole of the U.S. Department of Justice, +1-813-274-6136,
+1-813-274-6300 (fax); or U.S. Department of Justice Office of Public Affairs,
+1-202-514-2007
Web Site: http://www.usdoj.gov/
To see more releases from U.S. Department of Justice, Click Here
Wesley Snipes Sentenced to Three Years Imprisonment
OCALA, Fla., April 24 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --
U.S. District Judge Wm. Terrell Hodges today sentenced Wesley Trent Snipes to three years imprisonment for charges of failing to file income tax returns. Snipes was found guilty by a jury on February 1, 2008. Eddie Ray Kahn, of Sorrento, Florida, was sentenced to ten years' imprisonment and Douglas P. Rosile, of Venice, Florida, was sentenced to four years and six months' imprisonment.
The same jury found Kahn and Rosile guilty of conspiracy to defraud the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and presenting a fraudulent claim for payment to the IRS. Kahn was the founder and leader of American Rights Litigators (ARL), a tax protestor organization based in Lake County, Florida. Rosile prepared returns for ARL clients, such as Snipes.
"Snipes' long prison sentence should send a loud and crystal clear message to all tax defiers that if they engage in similar tax defier conduct, they face joining him and his co-defendants, Kahn and Rosile, as inmates in prison," said Nathan J. Hochman, Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department's Tax Division.
"The law is very clear: people must pay their taxes," said Internal Revenue Service Commissioner Douglas Shulman. "There is no secret formula that eliminates a person's tax obligations, nor are there any special exceptions. The majority of Americans pay their taxes timely and accurately. Those who willfully violate the law must be held accountable."
This case was investigated by the IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI). It was prosecuted by U.S. Attorney Robert E. O'Neill, Assistant United States Attorney Scot Morris, and Trial Attorney Jeffrey A. McLellan, U. S. Department of Justice Tax Division.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice
CONTACT: Steve Cole of the U.S. Department of Justice, +1-813-274-6136,
+1-813-274-6300 (fax); or U.S. Department of Justice Office of Public Affairs,
+1-202-514-2007
Web Site: http://www.usdoj.gov/
To see more releases from U.S. Department of Justice, Click Here
Saturday, April 12, 2008
My Thriller Video: Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' Video Stars You as Part of the 25th Anniversary Celebration!
11 Apr 2008 14:00 Africa/Lagos
Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' Video Stars You as Part of the 25th Anniversary Celebration!
Seminal Video from the 20th Century is Enhanced by Breakthrough Technology for the Next Century
PASADENA, Calif., April 11 /PRNewswire/ --
For the first time ever and through the magic of technology, anyone can now star in the greatest music video of all time -- Michael Jackson's Thriller -- as part of the album's worldwide 25th anniversary celebration! Michael Jackson and Epic/Legacy Recordings (Sony BMG) have partnered with innovative media company Big Stage and YouTube to bring this landmark entertainment experience to the world. Central to the tribute is the ability for fans to easily create a life-like 3-D version of themselves that literally replaces the role of Michael Jackson in the music video. This cutting edge technology was developed by Big Stage. The campaign begins today at www.MichaelJackson.com/mythrillervideo.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060130/LEGACYLOGO)
"This is a great tribute to Michael Jackson, involving one of the greatest and most innovative music videos of all time," said Jonathan Strietzel, co-founder and chief creative officer, Big Stage. "We're excited about working with Epic/Legacy Recordings to demonstrate the first public Big Stage experience -- inserting a photo-realistic avatar of 'you' into digital content. This is just a taste of the way consumers will be able to personalize everything from famous movie scenes to video games, virtual worlds and social networking sites, when we officially launch next quarter."
"Michael Jackson is an innovator and a pioneer in the music industry and so it only makes sense, as part of our anniversary celebrations for Thriller, to give fans worldwide a new way to experience the video in a way not even Michael could have imagined 25 years ago," said J.J. Rosen, Executive Vice-President, SonyBMG Commercial Music Group. "Our partnership with Big Stage, is an amazing way to fundamentally change people's interaction with content."
Once users have uploaded their photos to create their personalized Thriller video, they will be sent a link to a YouTube page where the video will be posted. From there, it can be shared with friends by email and posted on social networking sites like MySpace or Facebook. A recent fan generated video reached the Top 25 viewed Entertainment videos on YouTube, and most recently, MTV caught wind of the My Thriller Video tool, and produced a piece with their talent showcasing the process for MTV.com NewsBlog.
The Michael Jackson Thriller 25th anniversary celebration kicked off in December 2007 with the release of a new single and continues throughout 2008 with a multi-faceted global marketing campaign featuring high-profile television, radio and online events around the world. The Big Stage-enabled Thriller video piece is part of Epic/Legacy Recordings' viral campaign in support of the album's 25th anniversary release on February 12, of which the first single was "Wanna Be Startin' Something 2008," a duet between Michael Jackson and Akon. The album has already sold 2 million copies worldwide.
With Big Stage's 3-D capture technology, users will take three simple pictures of themselves with a digital camera and upload them to the Web, where they will be quickly converted into a life-like 3-D avatar called an @ctor(TM). Big Stage's proprietary technology will automatically map the contours of a user's face to generate an incredibly accurate replica of the user, fully equipped for animation. In under a minute, your @ctor will be born and fully alive through realistic movement and gestures. Users can then style it with a host of accessories, from hair to eyeglasses, tattoos, hats and more.
After users create and style their @ctors, they can drop them into the library of Big Stage-enabled user and professionally created content or Scenes. These highly personalized Scenes can then be shared by users across everything from famous movie scenes, TV shows and video games, to music videos, short video clips, virtual worlds, still images, user-generated content, instant messages, e-mails, social networks and more -- instantly. Big Stage will officially launch to consumers in the second quarter of 2008.
About Big Stage
Big Stage is a media company, currently in Beta, whose breakthrough technology allows users to easily create and integrate a life-like 3-D avatar of themselves, called an @ctor, into everything from famous movie scenes, TV shows and video games, to music videos, short video clips, virtual worlds, still images, user-generated content, instant messages, e-mails, social networks and more -- instantly. Big Stage will launch to consumers in the second quarter of 2008. For more information and to sign up for the Big Stage Beta program, please visit www.BigStage.com.
About Thriller
Epic/Legacy Recordings proudly celebrates the 25th anniversary of Michael Jackson's Thriller with a newly expanded deluxe edition of the phenomenal record-breaking pop culture touchstone. The Thriller -- 25th Anniversary Edition will include the original album in its entirety as well as seven bonus tracks and a DVD featuring Michael Jackson's groundbreaking short films from Thriller ("Thriller," "Beat It," and "Billie Jean") and the artist's Emmy-nominated breakout performance of "Billie Jean" from the legendary "Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever" television special. Additionally, the newly expanded version of Thriller premieres six tracks previously unreleased in any form: "Beat It 2008" with Fergie; a new Kanye West remix of "Billie Jean"; a new 2008 version of "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" with Akon; will.i.am remixes of "The Girl Is Mine" and "P.Y.T."; and "For All Time," a rare unreleased cut from the original Thriller recording sessions, newly mixed and mastered by Michael Jackson. Originally released in the United States 25 years ago on November 30, 1982 by Epic Records, Thriller, Michael Jackson's sixth solo album and second with producer Quincy Jones, rocketed the former child-star lead singer for the Jackson 5 into the stratosphere of international superstardom. In 1985, the Guinness Book of Records named Thriller the Best Selling Album of All Time, an achievement which remains unsurpassed to this day.
Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060130/LEGACYLOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Epic/Legacy Recordings
CONTACT: Michelle Mikoljak of Fleishman Hillard, +1-213-489-8213,
Michelle.Mikoljak@Fleishman.com; or Lois Najarian O'Neill of THE DOOR,
+1-718-383-1708, Lois@TheDOORonline.com; or Tom Cording of Legacy Media
Relations, +1-212-833-4448, LegacyMediaRelations@sonybmg.com
Web site: My Thriller Video
Legacy Recording
Big Stage
Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' Video Stars You as Part of the 25th Anniversary Celebration!
Seminal Video from the 20th Century is Enhanced by Breakthrough Technology for the Next Century
PASADENA, Calif., April 11 /PRNewswire/ --
For the first time ever and through the magic of technology, anyone can now star in the greatest music video of all time -- Michael Jackson's Thriller -- as part of the album's worldwide 25th anniversary celebration! Michael Jackson and Epic/Legacy Recordings (Sony BMG) have partnered with innovative media company Big Stage and YouTube to bring this landmark entertainment experience to the world. Central to the tribute is the ability for fans to easily create a life-like 3-D version of themselves that literally replaces the role of Michael Jackson in the music video. This cutting edge technology was developed by Big Stage. The campaign begins today at www.MichaelJackson.com/mythrillervideo.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060130/LEGACYLOGO)
"This is a great tribute to Michael Jackson, involving one of the greatest and most innovative music videos of all time," said Jonathan Strietzel, co-founder and chief creative officer, Big Stage. "We're excited about working with Epic/Legacy Recordings to demonstrate the first public Big Stage experience -- inserting a photo-realistic avatar of 'you' into digital content. This is just a taste of the way consumers will be able to personalize everything from famous movie scenes to video games, virtual worlds and social networking sites, when we officially launch next quarter."
"Michael Jackson is an innovator and a pioneer in the music industry and so it only makes sense, as part of our anniversary celebrations for Thriller, to give fans worldwide a new way to experience the video in a way not even Michael could have imagined 25 years ago," said J.J. Rosen, Executive Vice-President, SonyBMG Commercial Music Group. "Our partnership with Big Stage, is an amazing way to fundamentally change people's interaction with content."
Once users have uploaded their photos to create their personalized Thriller video, they will be sent a link to a YouTube page where the video will be posted. From there, it can be shared with friends by email and posted on social networking sites like MySpace or Facebook. A recent fan generated video reached the Top 25 viewed Entertainment videos on YouTube, and most recently, MTV caught wind of the My Thriller Video tool, and produced a piece with their talent showcasing the process for MTV.com NewsBlog.
The Michael Jackson Thriller 25th anniversary celebration kicked off in December 2007 with the release of a new single and continues throughout 2008 with a multi-faceted global marketing campaign featuring high-profile television, radio and online events around the world. The Big Stage-enabled Thriller video piece is part of Epic/Legacy Recordings' viral campaign in support of the album's 25th anniversary release on February 12, of which the first single was "Wanna Be Startin' Something 2008," a duet between Michael Jackson and Akon. The album has already sold 2 million copies worldwide.
With Big Stage's 3-D capture technology, users will take three simple pictures of themselves with a digital camera and upload them to the Web, where they will be quickly converted into a life-like 3-D avatar called an @ctor(TM). Big Stage's proprietary technology will automatically map the contours of a user's face to generate an incredibly accurate replica of the user, fully equipped for animation. In under a minute, your @ctor will be born and fully alive through realistic movement and gestures. Users can then style it with a host of accessories, from hair to eyeglasses, tattoos, hats and more.
After users create and style their @ctors, they can drop them into the library of Big Stage-enabled user and professionally created content or Scenes. These highly personalized Scenes can then be shared by users across everything from famous movie scenes, TV shows and video games, to music videos, short video clips, virtual worlds, still images, user-generated content, instant messages, e-mails, social networks and more -- instantly. Big Stage will officially launch to consumers in the second quarter of 2008.
About Big Stage
Big Stage is a media company, currently in Beta, whose breakthrough technology allows users to easily create and integrate a life-like 3-D avatar of themselves, called an @ctor, into everything from famous movie scenes, TV shows and video games, to music videos, short video clips, virtual worlds, still images, user-generated content, instant messages, e-mails, social networks and more -- instantly. Big Stage will launch to consumers in the second quarter of 2008. For more information and to sign up for the Big Stage Beta program, please visit www.BigStage.com.
About Thriller
Epic/Legacy Recordings proudly celebrates the 25th anniversary of Michael Jackson's Thriller with a newly expanded deluxe edition of the phenomenal record-breaking pop culture touchstone. The Thriller -- 25th Anniversary Edition will include the original album in its entirety as well as seven bonus tracks and a DVD featuring Michael Jackson's groundbreaking short films from Thriller ("Thriller," "Beat It," and "Billie Jean") and the artist's Emmy-nominated breakout performance of "Billie Jean" from the legendary "Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever" television special. Additionally, the newly expanded version of Thriller premieres six tracks previously unreleased in any form: "Beat It 2008" with Fergie; a new Kanye West remix of "Billie Jean"; a new 2008 version of "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" with Akon; will.i.am remixes of "The Girl Is Mine" and "P.Y.T."; and "For All Time," a rare unreleased cut from the original Thriller recording sessions, newly mixed and mastered by Michael Jackson. Originally released in the United States 25 years ago on November 30, 1982 by Epic Records, Thriller, Michael Jackson's sixth solo album and second with producer Quincy Jones, rocketed the former child-star lead singer for the Jackson 5 into the stratosphere of international superstardom. In 1985, the Guinness Book of Records named Thriller the Best Selling Album of All Time, an achievement which remains unsurpassed to this day.
Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060130/LEGACYLOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Epic/Legacy Recordings
CONTACT: Michelle Mikoljak of Fleishman Hillard, +1-213-489-8213,
Michelle.Mikoljak@Fleishman.com; or Lois Najarian O'Neill of THE DOOR,
+1-718-383-1708, Lois@TheDOORonline.com; or Tom Cording of Legacy Media
Relations, +1-212-833-4448, LegacyMediaRelations@sonybmg.com
Web site: My Thriller Video
Legacy Recording
Big Stage
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
Satisfy Your Obsession - Enrique Iglesias is Bigger on mun2
7 Apr 2008 20:34 Africa/Lagos
Satisfy Your Obsession - Enrique Iglesias is Bigger on mun2
Vivo Returns With the Insomniac for Third Season Premiere
Month-Long Multi-platform Campaign Kicks off Today
UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif., April 7, 2008 /PRNewswire/ --
After selling tens of millions of albums, breaking records with 18 number one hits on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs Chart and nonstop touring, Enrique Iglesias is Bigger on mun2. The Madrid born, Miami raised pop star comes to mun2 for a month long campaign of performances, holamun2.com originals, hosted shows, interactive features, original promos, music video blocks, and exclusive interviews. Bigger on mun2 brings the multi-platinum artist to the screen in a big way beginning April 7th.
High Resolution Photograph
"mun2 is bringing a true pioneer of bilingual pop to fans with our exclusive Bigger on mun2 treatment of original, irreverent, and candid content on-air and online," said Flavio Morales, mun2 Vice President of Programming. "Kicking off the new season of Vivo with Enrique Iglesias, one of the greatest international pop stars of all time, is a huge treat for our audience."
"Enrique Iglesias: Bigger on mun2" highlights include:
-- mun2 On-air promo: Desperately calling the mun2 hotlines to rekindle
her deluded love affair with the pop heartthrob, the ultimate fanatic
sparks Enrique's Bigger on mun2 romance.
-- Holamun2.com: This holamun2.com original unveils exclusive coverage of
the reunion between Enrique and his beauty mark on its very own late
night talk show. The hilarious vignette is set to appear online and
on Holamun2.com: El Show, mun2's newest show that brings the award
winning mun2 web to both screens at 9PM on Thursday, April 24th.
-- 2RSLVJ: Enrique is the VJ on April 12 at 9PM as he picks his favorite
videos from his new "95/08" greatest hits album. You think he always
got the superstar treatment? Just wait until you find out what his mom
used to call him. This candid, relaxed half hour with the sarcastic
superstar will surely raise some eyebrows.
-- The Shuffle: Throughout the month, Pico will be serving up the latest
Enrique news and on April 16 at 5PM, fans can catch behind the scenes
footage from Enrique's Live in Belfast tour.
-- Pepsi Musica: On April 18 at 5PM, Pepsi Musica does it big as Roser
presents exclusive concert footage courtesy of our Bigger on mun2
artist, Enrique Iglesias.
-- Enrique Iglesias "95/08" video block: Celebrating Enrique's hits from
95 - 08, mun2 is airing a half hour of his newest singles and classics
starting April 22 at 4PM.
-- VIVO: host Yasmin Deliz kicks off the third season of the hit music
variety show by interviewing the Biggest artist for the job, Quique
himself. Enrique dishes on the media's major misconceptions about
him, his dogs, and even gets literally up close and personal with hugs
and kisses to the studio audience on Thursday May 1st at 8PM.
For exclusive images, original vignettes and promos, news and all things Bigger on mun2, visit holamun2.com/bigger
Note to Editors: Additional photos available upon request.
About mun2:
mun2 is the preeminent voice for Latino youth in America. Launched in 2001, mun2 was the first national cable network to offer bilingual programming for young U.S. Latinos. mun2 is a multiplatform youth entertainment network that offers authentic content that reflects the lifestyle of the fastest-growing segment of the Hispanic population with original, relevant and cutting-edge programs in proven genres including music, movies, sports, fashion, and social activism. The network, which reflects emerging trends in all areas of pop and youth culture that are endorsed by its bicultural audience, is available nationwide on digital and analog cable, satellite and free television. mun2 will reach 24 million U.S. TV households and is the first-ever Latino youth-oriented cable network to have full subscription to the Nielsen Homevideo Index measurement service. The network is part of Telemundo Cable Networks, a division of NBC Universal TV Networks Distribution.
About holamun2.com:
For your daily dos of candy, glitters and freejoles, visit http://holamun2.com/, mun2's fully interactive site featuring all things mun2. A portal for bicultural youth to experience entertainment on their terms, holamun2 features exclusive interviews, original videos, entertainment news, interaction with other mun2 fans and ways to vote for what's next on mun2. From politics and pop to videos and video games, holamun2.com is the online destination devoted to the lifestyles of Latino youth.
Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080407/CLM105
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: mun2
CONTACT: Maria Gonima, mun2, +1-818-622-4112, Maria.Gonima@nbcuni.com
Web site: http://www.holamun2.com/
http://www.mun2tv.com/
Monday, April 07, 2008
Grammy-Winning Music Superstar Michelle Williams Seeks Nation's Hottest Male Dancers for Upcoming Projects Surrounding Release of New Contemporary Pop
7 Apr 2008 21:36 Africa/Lagos
Grammy-Winning Music Superstar Michelle Williams Seeks Nation's Hottest Male Dancers for Upcoming Projects Surrounding Release of New Contemporary Pop/Dance Album, 'Unexpected'
Auditions Scheduled for Sunday, April 13 in North Hollywood
NEW YORK, April 7, 2008 /PRNewswire/ --
Pop icon Michelle Williams will be holding auditions in Los Angeles looking for the nation's hottest and most talented male dancers for a series of performances and projects in support of her new solo album, the contemporary pop/dance collection Unexpected, set for release on Tuesday, August 12.
Auditions for the Michelle Williams Unexpected project will be held at The Basement in North Hollywood on Sunday, April 13 (please see full details following).
Auditions are open to male dancers only. Applicants need to be 5' 10" or taller and at least 18 years old. Prospective dancers should bring a resume, headshot, and best moves.
* * * * *
Michelle Williams -- Auditions
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Open Call
2pm to 5pm
Agency call (Agency Dancers only)
6pm to 8pm
The Basement
5259 Lankershim Blvd. Studio C
North Hollywood, CA 91601
Source: Music World/Columbia Records
CONTACT: Yvette Noel-Schure of Columbia Records, +1-212-833-4483,
yvette.noel-schure@sonybmg.com
Website: Columbia Records
We Love Michelle
Michelle Williams' MySpace
Music World Entertainment
Grammy-Winning Music Superstar Michelle Williams Seeks Nation's Hottest Male Dancers for Upcoming Projects Surrounding Release of New Contemporary Pop/Dance Album, 'Unexpected'
Auditions Scheduled for Sunday, April 13 in North Hollywood
NEW YORK, April 7, 2008 /PRNewswire/ --
Pop icon Michelle Williams will be holding auditions in Los Angeles looking for the nation's hottest and most talented male dancers for a series of performances and projects in support of her new solo album, the contemporary pop/dance collection Unexpected, set for release on Tuesday, August 12.
Auditions for the Michelle Williams Unexpected project will be held at The Basement in North Hollywood on Sunday, April 13 (please see full details following).
Auditions are open to male dancers only. Applicants need to be 5' 10" or taller and at least 18 years old. Prospective dancers should bring a resume, headshot, and best moves.
* * * * *
Michelle Williams -- Auditions
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Open Call
2pm to 5pm
Agency call (Agency Dancers only)
6pm to 8pm
The Basement
5259 Lankershim Blvd. Studio C
North Hollywood, CA 91601
Source: Music World/Columbia Records
CONTACT: Yvette Noel-Schure of Columbia Records, +1-212-833-4483,
yvette.noel-schure@sonybmg.com
Website: Columbia Records
We Love Michelle
Michelle Williams' MySpace
Music World Entertainment
Grammy-Winning Music Superstar Michelle Williams Seeks Nation's Hottest Male Dancers for Upcoming Projects Surrounding Release of New Contemporary Pop
7 Apr 2008 21:36 Africa/Lagos
Grammy-Winning Music Superstar Michelle Williams Seeks Nation's Hottest Male Dancers for Upcoming Projects Surrounding Release of New Contemporary Pop/Dance Album, 'Unexpected'
Auditions Scheduled for Sunday, April 13 in North Hollywood
NEW YORK, April 7, 2008 /PRNewswire/ --
Pop icon Michelle Williams will be holding auditions in Los Angeles looking for the nation's hottest and most talented male dancers for a series of performances and projects in support of her new solo album, the contemporary pop/dance collection Unexpected, set for release on Tuesday, August 12.
Auditions for the Michelle Williams Unexpected project will be held at The Basement in North Hollywood on Sunday, April 13 (please see full details following).
Auditions are open to male dancers only. Applicants need to be 5' 10" or taller and at least 18 years old. Prospective dancers should bring a resume, headshot, and best moves.
* * * * *
Michelle Williams -- Auditions
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Open Call
2pm to 5pm
Agency call (Agency Dancers only)
6pm to 8pm
The Basement
5259 Lankershim Blvd. Studio C
North Hollywood, CA 91601
Source: Music World/Columbia Records
CONTACT: Yvette Noel-Schure of Columbia Records, +1-212-833-4483,
yvette.noel-schure@sonybmg.com
Website: Columbia Records
We Love Michelle
Michelle Williams' MySpace
Music World Entertainment
Grammy-Winning Music Superstar Michelle Williams Seeks Nation's Hottest Male Dancers for Upcoming Projects Surrounding Release of New Contemporary Pop/Dance Album, 'Unexpected'
Auditions Scheduled for Sunday, April 13 in North Hollywood
NEW YORK, April 7, 2008 /PRNewswire/ --
Pop icon Michelle Williams will be holding auditions in Los Angeles looking for the nation's hottest and most talented male dancers for a series of performances and projects in support of her new solo album, the contemporary pop/dance collection Unexpected, set for release on Tuesday, August 12.
Auditions for the Michelle Williams Unexpected project will be held at The Basement in North Hollywood on Sunday, April 13 (please see full details following).
Auditions are open to male dancers only. Applicants need to be 5' 10" or taller and at least 18 years old. Prospective dancers should bring a resume, headshot, and best moves.
* * * * *
Michelle Williams -- Auditions
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Open Call
2pm to 5pm
Agency call (Agency Dancers only)
6pm to 8pm
The Basement
5259 Lankershim Blvd. Studio C
North Hollywood, CA 91601
Source: Music World/Columbia Records
CONTACT: Yvette Noel-Schure of Columbia Records, +1-212-833-4483,
yvette.noel-schure@sonybmg.com
Website: Columbia Records
We Love Michelle
Michelle Williams' MySpace
Music World Entertainment
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
Mariah Carey's 'Touch My Body'- Her 18th #1 Single!!!
2 Apr 2008 14:00 Africa/Lagos
Mariah Carey's 'Touch My Body' - Her 18th #1 Single!!!
HISTORIC NEW BILLBOARD HOT 100 SINGLES CHART RECORD - SURPASSES ELVIS PRESLEY's 17 #1's - FIRST HIT FROM NEW ALBUM, 'E=MC2'
'Touch My Body' nets record-setting 286,000 debut week on Billboard hot digital songs chart - Hot 100 Airplay radio audience passes 115 million - pre-orders underway for 'E=MC2,' as customers receive 'Touch My Body' instantly with pre-order at iTunes
SAVE THE DATES:
- April 9th: Mariah joins all-star international cast on FOX's second annual Emmy-winning 'IDOL Gives Back' two-hour charitable TV special
- April 14th: Mariah special guest on The Oprah Winfrey Show
- April 15th: 'E=MC2' new album arrives in stores
- April 16th: Mariah performs on 'American Idol' as musical mentor to finalists
NEW YORK, April 2, 2008 /PRNewswire/ -- International superstar Mariah Carey reaches a once-in-a-lifetime career achievement as her current single "Touch My Body" goes to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 this week and becomes her 18th career #1 hit -- surpassing one of the most enduring chart records in Billboard Hot 100 history, Elvis Presley's 17 #1's. Mariah is now positioned as the only active recording artist in the 50 years of the Hot 100 (which began in 1958) with the potential to surpass the Beatles' all-time high of 20 #1 hits.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080402/LAW018LOGO)
"Touch My Body" takes over #1 with an all-time record-setting 286,000 debut week at #1 on the Billboard hot digital songs chart, and a Hot 100 Airplay radio audience now over 115 million. The video, directed by feature filmmaker Brett Ratner, and featuring a cameo by Jack McBrayer (30 Rock's Kenneth Parcell), stays at #1 on the Yahoo Music Video Chart, Yahoo Launchcast and AOL. And Mariah's widget has been viewed over 4.26 million times!
"Touch My Body" is the first smash from Mariah's highly anticipated hot new album "E=MC2," arriving in stores April 15th. Pre-orders are now underway for "E=MC2," with iTunes customers receiving "Touch My Body" instantly with their pre-order.
"Touch My Body" was one of two songs Mariah performed last month on NBC's Saturday Night Live (show to be re-run on May 3rd). Last week, Mariah gave a special performance of "Touch My Body" and "We Belong Together" after the third season premiere of the MTV reality series, "The Hills." The episode set a year-to-date record as the highest rated telecast on cable TV, with 5 million viewers tuning in.
On April 9th, Mariah will join an all-star cast for the second annual "IDOL Gives Back" two-hour tv special, a music celebration raising awareness and benefiting various U.S. and international charities. The first special raised $76 million last year, and won a prestigious Governor's Emmy Award.
On Monday, April 14th, Mariah will appear as special guest on The Oprah Winfrey Show, preceding the "E=MC2" album release day on the 15th. The next night, April 16th, Mariah will perform on "American Idol" after serving as musical mentor to that week's finalists.
"Touch My Body" was produced by Mariah Carey, C. "Tricky" Stewart, and fellow Island Def Jam artist The-Dream. Other guest producers joining Mariah on "E=MC2" include Jermaine Dupri, DJ Toomp, Stargate, Will I Am, Bryan Michael Cox, Nate "Danjahandz" Hills and James Poyser. The album is executive produced by Mariah Carey and Antonio "LA" Reid, Chairman, Island Def Jam Music Group.
The 11th studio album of her career, "E=MC2" follows-up "The Emancipation Of Mimi," Mariah's worldwide 10 million selling #1 album, which generated three Grammy awards (including Best Contemporary R&B Album), two #1 singles, and countless more honors during its 18-month stay on the charts. Released April 12, 2005, "Mimi" was an industry phenomenon for the mega-platinum award-winning superstar. Soundscan's biggest-selling album of the year, it brought total sales of Mariah's albums, singles and videos to over 160 million worldwide, making her the top-selling female recording artist in history.
"Mimi" featured "We Belong Together" (Grammy winner for Best Female R&B Vocal and Best R&B Song) and "Don't Forget About Us," Mariah's 16th and 17th #1 singles respectively -- which tied Elvis Presley's 17 #1's. "Touch My Body" now surpasses Elvis as Mariah's 18th #1 hit, and positions her as the only active recording artist with the potential to surpass the Beatles' all-time high of 20 #1 hits. "Touch My Body" also marks Mariah's 78th cumulative career week at #1, as she closes the gap on Elvis Presley's all-time high record of 80 weeks at #1.
Contact: Laura Swanson, 212.333.8533
email: Laura.Swanson@umusic.com
Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080402/LAW018LOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Island Def Jam Music Group
CONTACT: Laura Swanson, +1-212-333-8533, Laura.Swanson@umusic.com, for
Island Def Jam Music Group
Mariah Carey's 'Touch My Body' - Her 18th #1 Single!!!
HISTORIC NEW BILLBOARD HOT 100 SINGLES CHART RECORD - SURPASSES ELVIS PRESLEY's 17 #1's - FIRST HIT FROM NEW ALBUM, 'E=MC2'
'Touch My Body' nets record-setting 286,000 debut week on Billboard hot digital songs chart - Hot 100 Airplay radio audience passes 115 million - pre-orders underway for 'E=MC2,' as customers receive 'Touch My Body' instantly with pre-order at iTunes
SAVE THE DATES:
- April 9th: Mariah joins all-star international cast on FOX's second annual Emmy-winning 'IDOL Gives Back' two-hour charitable TV special
- April 14th: Mariah special guest on The Oprah Winfrey Show
- April 15th: 'E=MC2' new album arrives in stores
- April 16th: Mariah performs on 'American Idol' as musical mentor to finalists
NEW YORK, April 2, 2008 /PRNewswire/ -- International superstar Mariah Carey reaches a once-in-a-lifetime career achievement as her current single "Touch My Body" goes to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 this week and becomes her 18th career #1 hit -- surpassing one of the most enduring chart records in Billboard Hot 100 history, Elvis Presley's 17 #1's. Mariah is now positioned as the only active recording artist in the 50 years of the Hot 100 (which began in 1958) with the potential to surpass the Beatles' all-time high of 20 #1 hits.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080402/LAW018LOGO)
"Touch My Body" takes over #1 with an all-time record-setting 286,000 debut week at #1 on the Billboard hot digital songs chart, and a Hot 100 Airplay radio audience now over 115 million. The video, directed by feature filmmaker Brett Ratner, and featuring a cameo by Jack McBrayer (30 Rock's Kenneth Parcell), stays at #1 on the Yahoo Music Video Chart, Yahoo Launchcast and AOL. And Mariah's widget has been viewed over 4.26 million times!
"Touch My Body" is the first smash from Mariah's highly anticipated hot new album "E=MC2," arriving in stores April 15th. Pre-orders are now underway for "E=MC2," with iTunes customers receiving "Touch My Body" instantly with their pre-order.
"Touch My Body" was one of two songs Mariah performed last month on NBC's Saturday Night Live (show to be re-run on May 3rd). Last week, Mariah gave a special performance of "Touch My Body" and "We Belong Together" after the third season premiere of the MTV reality series, "The Hills." The episode set a year-to-date record as the highest rated telecast on cable TV, with 5 million viewers tuning in.
On April 9th, Mariah will join an all-star cast for the second annual "IDOL Gives Back" two-hour tv special, a music celebration raising awareness and benefiting various U.S. and international charities. The first special raised $76 million last year, and won a prestigious Governor's Emmy Award.
On Monday, April 14th, Mariah will appear as special guest on The Oprah Winfrey Show, preceding the "E=MC2" album release day on the 15th. The next night, April 16th, Mariah will perform on "American Idol" after serving as musical mentor to that week's finalists.
"Touch My Body" was produced by Mariah Carey, C. "Tricky" Stewart, and fellow Island Def Jam artist The-Dream. Other guest producers joining Mariah on "E=MC2" include Jermaine Dupri, DJ Toomp, Stargate, Will I Am, Bryan Michael Cox, Nate "Danjahandz" Hills and James Poyser. The album is executive produced by Mariah Carey and Antonio "LA" Reid, Chairman, Island Def Jam Music Group.
The 11th studio album of her career, "E=MC2" follows-up "The Emancipation Of Mimi," Mariah's worldwide 10 million selling #1 album, which generated three Grammy awards (including Best Contemporary R&B Album), two #1 singles, and countless more honors during its 18-month stay on the charts. Released April 12, 2005, "Mimi" was an industry phenomenon for the mega-platinum award-winning superstar. Soundscan's biggest-selling album of the year, it brought total sales of Mariah's albums, singles and videos to over 160 million worldwide, making her the top-selling female recording artist in history.
"Mimi" featured "We Belong Together" (Grammy winner for Best Female R&B Vocal and Best R&B Song) and "Don't Forget About Us," Mariah's 16th and 17th #1 singles respectively -- which tied Elvis Presley's 17 #1's. "Touch My Body" now surpasses Elvis as Mariah's 18th #1 hit, and positions her as the only active recording artist with the potential to surpass the Beatles' all-time high of 20 #1 hits. "Touch My Body" also marks Mariah's 78th cumulative career week at #1, as she closes the gap on Elvis Presley's all-time high record of 80 weeks at #1.
Contact: Laura Swanson, 212.333.8533
email: Laura.Swanson@umusic.com
Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080402/LAW018LOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Island Def Jam Music Group
CONTACT: Laura Swanson, +1-212-333-8533, Laura.Swanson@umusic.com, for
Island Def Jam Music Group
Superstar Artist Usher Announces New Album 'Here I Stand' For Worldwide Release May 27th
2 Apr 2008 19:47 Africa/Lagos
Superstar Artist Usher Announces New Album 'Here I Stand' For Worldwide Release May 27th
MTV Video Premiere For 'Love In This Club' Will Air Exclusively Across MTV, BET and VH1 Networks on April 7th
Smash single 'Love In This Club' Heats Up The Charts
NEW YORK, April 2, 2008 /PRNewswire/ --
LaFace/Zomba recording artist Usher sets to release his eagerly awaited album "Here I Stand" on May 27th. Originally scheduled for a June release the highly anticipated album has been pushed up in order to satiate increasing global demand from all of his fans. The video for "Love In This Club" will make its worldwide debut on MTV April 7th and the latest smash hit sits comfortably at #2 as the weeks greatest Airplay Gainer on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.
Usher's newest single, "Love In This Club," features Young Jeezy, and is co-written by Usher and produced by Polow Da Don. The smash hit currently holds the #2 position on both the Hot 100 and Hot Digital Tracks charts. The song became his eighth #1 hit and is the lead single from his forthcoming, fifth studio album, Here I Stand. The video for "Love In This Club" was directed by the rising directing tandem of the Brothers Strause and will have its worldwide debut on MTV, BET and VH1 on April 7th.
Slated for global release on May 27th, Here I Stand is Usher's follow-up to his history-making, 9x platinum-selling Confessions. Within the first week of the release of Confessions, Usher sold more than any other R&B artist in the history of SoundScan. The album spawned four #1 hit singles and Usher spent 40 weeks in the No. 1 position on The Billboard Hot 100- which is more than any other male artist in the nearly 50 year history of the chart. Worldwide, the multi-talented, five-time Grammy-winner, musician and actor has sold nearly 14 million copies of Confessions and it earned a multitude of honors including MTV, BET, and People's Choice awards.
Over the span of his 14-year career, Usher has sold close to 26 million albums worldwide and combining all of his single, album and DVD sales, he's sold in excess of 36 million units globally. With four studio albums, the eponymous first release, Usher (1994) and multi-platinum albums, the 6x- platinum My Way (1997),the 4x-platinum 8701 (2001), and the 9x-platinum Confessions (2004) and one gold-certified live album simply titled Live (1999), and a string of #1 hit singles including "U Remind Me," "U Got It Bad," "Yeah," "Burn," and "My Boo" Usher's return to the top of the charts is inevitable. The Tennessee-born, Atlanta raised performer, songwriter, producer, dancer, actor started his multi-faceted career at the age of 15- years old.
Usher Raymond IV has achieved what few other contemporary entertainers have ever accomplished. He most recently launched a successful line of signature fragrances, actively heads up his own charity, New Look Foundation, a camp for teens that teaches them about the entertainment business, and he is part owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers basketball team.
Source: Zomba Label Group
CONTACT: Patti Webster of W&W PR, +1-732-469-5955, patti@w-wpr.com; or
Wendy Washington of Zomba Label Group, +1-212-833-6886,
Wendy.Washington@sonybmg.com
Superstar Artist Usher Announces New Album 'Here I Stand' For Worldwide Release May 27th
MTV Video Premiere For 'Love In This Club' Will Air Exclusively Across MTV, BET and VH1 Networks on April 7th
Smash single 'Love In This Club' Heats Up The Charts
NEW YORK, April 2, 2008 /PRNewswire/ --
LaFace/Zomba recording artist Usher sets to release his eagerly awaited album "Here I Stand" on May 27th. Originally scheduled for a June release the highly anticipated album has been pushed up in order to satiate increasing global demand from all of his fans. The video for "Love In This Club" will make its worldwide debut on MTV April 7th and the latest smash hit sits comfortably at #2 as the weeks greatest Airplay Gainer on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.
Usher's newest single, "Love In This Club," features Young Jeezy, and is co-written by Usher and produced by Polow Da Don. The smash hit currently holds the #2 position on both the Hot 100 and Hot Digital Tracks charts. The song became his eighth #1 hit and is the lead single from his forthcoming, fifth studio album, Here I Stand. The video for "Love In This Club" was directed by the rising directing tandem of the Brothers Strause and will have its worldwide debut on MTV, BET and VH1 on April 7th.
Slated for global release on May 27th, Here I Stand is Usher's follow-up to his history-making, 9x platinum-selling Confessions. Within the first week of the release of Confessions, Usher sold more than any other R&B artist in the history of SoundScan. The album spawned four #1 hit singles and Usher spent 40 weeks in the No. 1 position on The Billboard Hot 100- which is more than any other male artist in the nearly 50 year history of the chart. Worldwide, the multi-talented, five-time Grammy-winner, musician and actor has sold nearly 14 million copies of Confessions and it earned a multitude of honors including MTV, BET, and People's Choice awards.
Over the span of his 14-year career, Usher has sold close to 26 million albums worldwide and combining all of his single, album and DVD sales, he's sold in excess of 36 million units globally. With four studio albums, the eponymous first release, Usher (1994) and multi-platinum albums, the 6x- platinum My Way (1997),the 4x-platinum 8701 (2001), and the 9x-platinum Confessions (2004) and one gold-certified live album simply titled Live (1999), and a string of #1 hit singles including "U Remind Me," "U Got It Bad," "Yeah," "Burn," and "My Boo" Usher's return to the top of the charts is inevitable. The Tennessee-born, Atlanta raised performer, songwriter, producer, dancer, actor started his multi-faceted career at the age of 15- years old.
Usher Raymond IV has achieved what few other contemporary entertainers have ever accomplished. He most recently launched a successful line of signature fragrances, actively heads up his own charity, New Look Foundation, a camp for teens that teaches them about the entertainment business, and he is part owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers basketball team.
Source: Zomba Label Group
CONTACT: Patti Webster of W&W PR, +1-732-469-5955, patti@w-wpr.com; or
Wendy Washington of Zomba Label Group, +1-212-833-6886,
Wendy.Washington@sonybmg.com
Monday, March 31, 2008
U2 to Join Live Nation Artists
U2
31 Mar 2008 05:45 Africa/Lagos
U2 to Join Live Nation Artists
LOS ANGELES, March 31 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Live Nation President and Chief Executive Officer Michael Rapino announced today that the company has reached an agreement in principle to enter into a 12-year global contractual relationship with U2, who will join the company's Live Nation Artists roster.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080331/LAM091)
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070220/LATU096LOGO)
"U2 has created some of the greatest rock music of all time and their career has been uniquely successful," said Michael Cohl, Chairman of the Board of Live Nation and Chief Executive Officer of Live Nation Artists. "It has long been our intention to consolidate and extend our relationship with U2, so this is a very exciting deal for us. The band has always been forward thinking and as one of our original and most successful artists, we are delighted to be able to work with them for many years into the future."
Acknowledged as one of the best live acts in the world, U2 has played to millions around the world on their ground-breaking tours. Their eleven studio albums have garnered 22 Grammy Awards and sold in excess of 140 million copies globally. Through this new association U2 and Live Nation Artists will collaborate on a variety of the band's global music enterprises including touring, merchandising, and the band's website, U2.com.
"We've been dating for over 20 years now, it's about time we tied the knot," said U2's Bono. "With regards to U2.com, we feel we've got a great website, but we want to make it a lot better. We want a closer, more direct relationship between the band and its audience and Live Nation has pledged to help us with that."
Arthur Fogel, Chairman of Live Nation's Global Music Division and Chief Executive Officer of Global Touring, who has produced every U2 tour since PopMart in 1997, said, "Our long relationship with U2 has endured and flourished over the years. This is an opportunity to move forward with them while building on the past, utilizing our unparalleled global marketing platform to expand U2's universe into the future."
Paul McGuinness, U2's Manager said, "U2 are doing their best work right now, on record and in concert. The opportunity to integrate U2 and Live Nation's vision of the future is a great extension of our established business and of our working relationship with Arthur Fogel and Michael Cohl, which started back in 1980 at the El Mocambo in Toronto."
By expanding the scope of its activities with touring artists, Live Nation Artists unlocks value to increase economic benefits to artists through the creation of innovative new products, and delivery and distribution channels for music and other content. Operating within this new model, Live Nation Artists serves more than 1,000 artists through its array of services, including global touring, merchandise and licensing (Signatures Network, Anthill, TRUNK, Ltd.), sponsorship and strategic alliances, recorded music, studios, media rights, digital rights, fan club/websites (UltraStar, Musictoday), marketing and creative services (Tour Design) to facilitate direct artist to fan connection.
U2's longstanding relationship with Universal Music for recording and also publishing is not affected by the Live Nation deal. The deal is subject to the completion of documentation and is expected to be finalized in the coming months.
ABOUT LIVE NATION:
Live Nation is the future of the music business. With the most live concerts, music venues and festivals in the world and the most comprehensive concert search engine on the web, Live Nation is revolutionizing the music industry: onstage and online. Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, Live Nation is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, trading under the symbol "LYV." Additional information about the company can be found at http://www.livenation.com/ under the "About Us" section.
Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080331/LAM091
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070220/LATU096LOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
AP PhotoExpress Network: PRN14
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Live Nation
CONTACT: John Vlautin of Live Nation, +1-310-867-7127,
johnvlautin@livenation.com
Web site: Live Nation
U2
Friday, March 28, 2008
Attend the Star-Studded Sex and the City Movie Premiere in New York City
This is from my romance and life blogzine, Kisses and Roses.
It is an exclusive offer from the one and only Vogue and I am the first breaking the news in the blogosphere to give you the opportunity of getting such an offer.
I have also provided the Official YouTube Trailer from the producers.
Simply read the following and honour the invitation.
VOGUE is sending one very fabulous person (and a friend!) to New York City to attend the star-studded Sex and the City Movie Premiere.
Subscribe to Vogue for only $15 & be automatically entered to win. At a savings of 68% off the cover price, that's like getting 8 issues FREE!
Visit New York in true Carrie Bradshaw style:
· Roundtrip airfare to NYC
· Luxurious hotel accommodations
· A tour of the VOGUE offices
· 2 tickets to the Sex & the City movie premiere
Click here.
Theatrical Release Date: 05/30/2008
Starring: Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis, Cynthia Nixon, more cast
Directed By: Michael Patrick King
Released By: New Line
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Rating: NA
Synopsis: The hit cable series Sex and the City catwalks its way onto the big screen in this feature-film continuation that fans all over have been clamoring for. Sarah Jessica Parker returns once again as Carrie Bradshaw, the style-maven journalist whose romantic exploits were the key focus of the show. Also reprising their roles are Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis, and Cynthia Nixon, with the series' executive producer Michael Patrick King taking on writing and directing duties. Dreamgirls' Jennifer Hudson co-stars as Carrie's assistant. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, All Movie Guide
It is an exclusive offer from the one and only Vogue and I am the first breaking the news in the blogosphere to give you the opportunity of getting such an offer.
I have also provided the Official YouTube Trailer from the producers.
Simply read the following and honour the invitation.
VOGUE is sending one very fabulous person (and a friend!) to New York City to attend the star-studded Sex and the City Movie Premiere.
Subscribe to Vogue for only $15 & be automatically entered to win. At a savings of 68% off the cover price, that's like getting 8 issues FREE!
Visit New York in true Carrie Bradshaw style:
· Roundtrip airfare to NYC
· Luxurious hotel accommodations
· A tour of the VOGUE offices
· 2 tickets to the Sex & the City movie premiere
Click here.
Theatrical Release Date: 05/30/2008
Starring: Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis, Cynthia Nixon, more cast
Directed By: Michael Patrick King
Released By: New Line
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Rating: NA
Synopsis: The hit cable series Sex and the City catwalks its way onto the big screen in this feature-film continuation that fans all over have been clamoring for. Sarah Jessica Parker returns once again as Carrie Bradshaw, the style-maven journalist whose romantic exploits were the key focus of the show. Also reprising their roles are Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis, and Cynthia Nixon, with the series' executive producer Michael Patrick King taking on writing and directing duties. Dreamgirls' Jennifer Hudson co-stars as Carrie's assistant. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, All Movie Guide
Friday, March 14, 2008
Eliot Spitzer's "Kristen" Is Now Hot Property
Eliot Spitzer's "Kristen" Ashley Alexandra Dupré's songs on AmieStreet.com are making her richer by the hour and she has made over $200, 000 from over 300, 000 downloads since yesterday as hundreds of thousands of people search for more details on the Eliot Spitzer sex scandal. Porn magazines have offered her millions of dollars to pose nude.
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