Along with the March 13th release of Gillie Da Kid’s "The Best of the GDK Mixtapes" (check out the latest RIGHT NOW for Gillie talking more smack about Lil’ Wayne, Cash Money and more http://www.hiphopcrack.com/viewVideo.hhc?videoId=66), Babygrande Records keeps the heat rolling in 2007 with two HUGE anticipated releases from Kanye West/G.O.O.D. Music artists Sa-Ra Creative Partners "The Hollywood Recordings", as well as "Breakglass" from DJ Spinna, Shabaam Sahdeeq, Mr. Complex, Tiye Phoenix also known as The Polyrhythm Addicts, both hitting streets on April 24th!!

On April 24th…

Sa-Ra Creative Partners "The Hollywood Recordings"

The recipients of a 2+ year set up as part of Kanye West’s G.O.O.D. Music/Sony imprint, the Sa-Ra Creative Partners finally see the light with the April 24th release of “The Hollywood Recordings,” the prequel to their forthcoming major label album debut.  Contrary to popular speculation, the trio are very much united, having emerged unscathed from the perilous depths of an ever shifting major label landscape.

Many artists talk about going to the proverbial “next level.”  The Sa-Ra Creative Partners — Taz Arnold, Om’Mas Keith and Shafiq Husayn –simply exist there.  They just are beyond what everyone else is doing creatively.  That’s because the Los Angeles/New York-based collective creates for more than the act of making music.  Sa-Ra — whose disparate resume includes work with Dr. Dre, Kanye West, John Legend, Jurassic 5, Ice-T, Lord Finesse — creates for the universe.  It’s Afro Magnetic Electronic Spiritualism.

“Sa-Ra is a magical trio,” says Taz, a proud citizen of the globe who was raised in South Central Los Angeles.  “We’re three lords from different aspects of the universe, different walks of life, here to put something magical together for the people.”

Ready for release on Babygrande Records, the album collection defies categorization and represents Sa-Ra’s complete vision, which encompasses more than just music.  “We take the best of all doctrines, all the practices, all sciences and have developed our own style,” Om’Mas explains.  “That’s where we’re at.  We’ve very eclectic because, unlike many people, we’ve been able to identify that with which is best of all systems — belief, monetary — and take piece by piece to develop this master blueprint.  It’s proven to be successful.”

CHECK OUT: WWW.SA-RA.NET & WWW.CRACKSPACE.COM/SA-RA FOR FURTHER INFORMATION AND STAY TUNED FOR THE PREMIERE OF BRAND NEW MUSIC FROM THIS ALREADY LEGENDARY TRIO!

Also on April 24th…

Polyrhythm Addicts “Break Glass…”

In 1999, just as hip-hop was turning the corner into an era defined more by liars & loot than lyrics & truth, this hip-hop supergroup dropped a bomb on the industry. Actually, maybe supernova’s a better word, as the 10 tracks quickly burned an indelible image into the consciousness of its listeners before becoming a victim, like so many others, of the business side of the game.

Now, Polyrhythm Addicts (DJ Spinna, Shabaam Sahdeeq, Mr. Complex and scorching new member Tiye Phoenix who’s already drawing parallels to female icons Lauryn Hill and Jean Grae) return with the May 2007 release of “Break Glass…” at a time when honest hip-hop groups are so desperately needed.

“Right now, hip-hop’s in a state of emergency,” says Sahdeeq. “Nas said, ‘Hip-hop is dead.’ We think it can still be saved. You can see it. All you gotta do is just break the emergency glass and it’s right there."

“Whatever’s hot now, the audience gets brainwashed into thinking that’s what’s real and there’s no balance,” says Spinna. “It’s gotten boring and I think there’s an audience that’s neglected. They want to hear something with more depth."

The highly anticipated sophomore set and follow-up to the critically and commercially lauded debut “Rhyme Related” features guest appearances from the likes of Pharaohe Monch, Little Brother, Slum Village & more.

CHECK OUT: www.crackspace.com/polyrhythmaddicts for further information, tracks and more!

SUPPORT INDEPENDENT HIP-HOP!!!!!!!!

–
PR Department
Babygrande Records
212.633.8835

One of the legends of west coast hip hop and rap, Celly Cel, presents his hot new group "Hillside Stranglaz".

The long awaited album is called Hillside Stranglaz "Bad Influence" and is in stores now.

Since first appearing on Celly Cel’s ‘Live from the Ghetto’ compilation in 2001, the "Hillside Stranglaz" have left the hip hop community wanting more.

The members of the "Hillside Stranglaz" are San Francisco Bay area native, hip-hop and rap legend Celly Cel, Celly’s brother Mac Reese, D Enemy, and Protajay. All are from the notorious Hillside of Vallejo.

Mixing Bay Area hip hop hyphy and ‘block’ music has made the Hillside Stranglaz one of the most talked about groups among the hip hop underground.

The new single from the Hillside Stranglaz is called "Parkin Lot Pimpin". It contains a sample of the Old School classic "No Parkin on the Dance Floor".

Check out "Parkin Lot Pimpin" from the Hillside Stranglaz on the Hillside Stranglaz Myspace page.

"Parkin Lot Pimpin" is also in rotation on www.TLARadio.com and many radio stations across the nation. If it is not on your local station REQUEST IT.

Visit the Hillside Stranglaz and Celly Cel on the sites below, and leave them some luv and feedback.

www.myspace.com/hillsidestranglaz

www.myspace.com/cellycel

You can also download the single "Parkin Lot Pimpin" at www.ThugLifeArmy.com

Press Contact:
ThugLifeArmy   Administrator@ThugLifeArmy.com

A dark sense of humor, an unbridled taste for satire and a loving infusion of kitsch all come together in the most deliciously subversive way in Calle 13′s video for their new single ‘Tango del pecado,’ from the album "Residente o Visitante," which will hit stores on April 24.

An original collaboration between Puerto Rican singer songwriter René "Residente" Pérez and Argentine producer (and two-time Oscar winner) Gustavo Santaolalla, ‘Tango del pecado’ has been turned into a video thanks to the creativity of directors Gabriel Coss and Israel Lugo, who have shot other videos for Calle 13 and have worked with artists such as Nelly Furtado and Maná, to mention a few. The video for ‘Tango del pecado’ is scheduled to air in early March.

Used to the insolence and sharp wit of René Pérez as a composer, directors Coss and Lugo have created what they call “the story of a catastrophe,” or the wedding between an opulent and elegant beauty, known as the Queen of the Universe, with a coarse and wicked artist, Residente, in what turns out to be a Latin American spoof of a “Romeo and Juliet” love story.

Shot recently at a hacienda, Siesta Alegre, in the town of Río Grande, Puerto Rico, the video features guest stars such as comedian  Sunshine Logroño and famous reggaetón singers Julio Voltio, as godfather, and Tego Calderón as man of honor.

But that’s not all: some of the most notorious characters from previous Calle 13 videos are present once more in ‘Tango del pecado.’ Actress Flor Joglar, René’s mother, for example, plays… René’s mother in the wedding.

And in a special role, Residente’s real life girlfriend, ex-Miss Universe 2001 Denise Quiñones, plays the bride.

“The video will explain many of the things that people don’t understand in the song,” said Residente recently to various media outlets in his native Puerto Rico . “What you’ll see is what happens in these ceremonies. There will be two families, and everything will be made fun of. It will be shown in a pretty exaggerated manner. The idea is to provoke reactions. The whole thing began because of a letter that was written to me saying that I was going to hell with Denise.”

In ‘Tango del pecado,’ one man’s paradise is another one’s hell.

Press Contact:
Rocio.Gutierrez@sonybmg.com

Former gang-banger Nino Cappuccino flips gang-life for the Director’s chair

LOS ANGELES- FEBRUARY 2007– , Ear (2) tha Streez, the long-awaited docudrama directed by underground hip hop legend Nino Cappuccino, hits the streets in Spring 2007. Co-produced by Tomorrow Pictures and Cappuccino Films, Ear (2) tha Streez, chronicles 20 years of Bloods/Crips clashes and the rise of Gangsta Rap.

Filmed on the streets of Watts, California, and the boroughs of New York, Ear (2) tha Streez is a ground-level view of the lives of America’s Gangbangers, and an investigation into the “Thug Life” as portrayed by the stars of the Hip Hop world. Featuring appearances by Juvenile, Chino XL, Mack 10, Sticky Fingaz and a host of others, Ear (2) tha Streez places the dangerous lives of gang members in stark contrast to the glamorous lives of their Hip Hop counterparts.

Director Nino Cappuccino reveals an exclusive insider’s perspective with never before seen footage from his personal Cappuccino Films collection as well as new reenactments and footage captured by Tomorrow Pictures Inc. A former producer for Death Row Records and former OG Blood from Watts, CA, Cappuccino has spent the better part of the last 20 years documenting the interaction of West Coast gangs in the streets. Describing the film, Cappuccino says, “This is a story of three Gangstas caught up in the Rules of Engagement in America’s most dangerous streets, the Nickerson Gardens housing project.”

Producer Frederick J. Taylor worked with Cappuccino to bring his story to life shooting on location in the deadliest housing project in America, Nickerson Gardens. Taylor says, “This film brings to life the third-world dark side of the American urban landscape.” As the cinematographer for the dramatic storyline, Taylor captured images true to the gritty experience that is gang life.

The soundtrack to Ear (2) tha Streez, entitled Streez (R) Minez, features the raw sounds of West Coast hip hop from such diverse artists as Smoke Dawg, Squeak Ru, Money Moe, Watts Theory Assassins, Gudda Boyz and Nino Cappuccino himself.

Tomorrow Pictures is a full service media production company with a history of innovative projects for the television, film and music industries with a focus on digital content production and new media solutions. The vidcast series for Ear (2) tha Streez will premiere exclusively on
Cappuccino acted as Executive Producer for Ear (2) tha Streez, the third film in a series documenting urban life under his Cappuccino Films Inc. banner.

###

Wendy Muhammad
Black Rose Music Group
312-948-5189 (office) 312-896-5994 (fax)
Wendy@BlackRoseMusicGroup.com

Benefit show planned March 9th

Dallas, Texas (February 28, 2007) After pledging over $200 for a pledge drive to support a Dallas Music Icon’s radio show, Metro Muzik: The Union is going one step forward by organizing a concert benefiting the show on March 9th at Club Tom Cats. Entitled “The Dirty Deed,” the benefit is the latest effort to help fund “The Dirty South Block Party with Bobo & Nem.” Heard on the air Saturday Nights from 10 pm to 12 midnight in Dallas, the show is hosted by local music icon Bobo Luchiano.

Bobo Luchiano as well as his brother DJ Snake and the rap group Nemesis are credited for birthing the Dallas Hip-Hop & Rap movement in the 1ate 80’s. Nemesis’ radio show “All Hearty Def Party” was the first radio show in Dallas that played local Hip-Hop music. Under the production of DJ Snake, Bobo Luchiano released the Dallas Anthem “South Dallas Drop” in 1989 and played hype man for Texas Rap Icons UGK from 1993 to 1996 before starting “The Dirty South Block Party in 1999.

“The Dirty South Block Party with Bobo & Nem” continues where “All Hearty Def Party” left off by playing predominately southern Hip-Hop especially local music. Co-hosted by DJ Fish and also starring Pikahsso Allen Poe, DJ Drop, David & Kitty Khat, the show is quoted as “playing Local Hip-Hop before the competitors thought it was cool.”

Broadcasted on community radio station 89.3 KNON-FM, The show (as well as KNON) derives its main source of income from on-air pledges as well as underwriting or sponsorships by local small businesses. By organizing “The Dirty Deed” Benefit, Mr. Kuwn-Dalini & Metro Muzik: The Union is continuing its effort to keep a vital radio show with the historic Bobo Luchiano at the helm on the air.

“The Dirty Deed” Benefit will feature performances from some of the areas best Hip-Hop artists including Kottonmouth, Olmann & Money Waters. Special Guest invites former Universal Records recording artists Mr. Pookie & Lucci as well as members of Dirty South Rydaz (DSR) including Big Tuck & Tum-Tum. Both artists as well as their label T-Town Records are distributed by Universal Republic Records. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to “The Dirty South Block Party” eight days later on Saturday, March 17th.

Club Tom Cats is located at 2914 Commerce Street in the Deep Ellum Entertainment District in Dallas, Texas. Doors open at 9pm. For information about Tickets/VIP/Sponsorships/Admission/Food, please contact the Metro Muzik Hotline at 972-977.2082.

“The Dirty Deed” is sponsored in-part by: 7PM, Inc., T-Town Marketing, DFWHomegrown.com, Hunnid Stacks Energy Drinks & DFWHipHop.com

Metro Muzik: The Union hopes by making an effort to preserve history that we inspire others to step up and support the show as well.

Feel free to view the following websites for more information.

www.metromuziktheunion.com
www.knon.org
http://myspace.com/mrboboluchiano
http://www.myspace.com/dirtysouthblockparty
http://www.dallaspeeps.com/dirtysouthblockparty
www.myspace.com/kuwndapromoter
www.myspace.com/youngheartbreak

Contact:
Jake Smallz & Vincent Tucker
CWC Entertainment Group
972.922.5371
info@citywideonline.net
www.citywideonline.net

**********************
Metro Muzik: The Union, commonly referred to as “This Generation’s Rat Pack”, is a collective of local record label executives and promoters heading the effort for the independent artists in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. Members consist of Jaimeian “Kuwn-Dalini” Pride (7PM Inc.), Cedric Jemmerson (Grind Hard Entertainment) plus Vincent Tucker & Chris Panayiotou (CWC Entertainment Group.) From our local Artist Showcases to our Party nights to our Special Concert Series, Metro Muzik: The Union has you covered. For more information, you can call the Metro Muzik Hotline at 972.879.2086 or visit us on line at www.metromuziktheunion.com or www.myspace.com/metromuziktheunion.

KNON FM 89.3 is a non-profit, listener-supported radio station, deriving its main source of income from on-air pledge drives and from underwriting or sponsorships by local small businesses. KNON went on air on August 6, 1983 with 10,000 watts of power. In March 1990, KNON raised it’s power to 55,000 watts. The signal covers a radius of approximately 60 miles from Cedar Hill. it extends from McKinney, Hillsboro, Corsicana and from Ft. Worth to Greenville. KNON is on the air 24 hours, seven days a week, with the most diverse programming in Texas. The volunteer disc jockeys play their own music or conduct talk shows during specifically targeted programs. The program variety can be seen on our schedule. Each music format has its own unique demography, but the one thing that the entire KNON audience shares is that they listen to KNON, rather that use it for background noise. www.knon.org.

Feb. 26, 2007- Jahi, originally from Cleveland, now residing in the Baltimore/DC area will begin The Soulhop Tour on March 2nd, 2007 in support of his new album WORDPOWERSOUND on Onefam Music.  Jahi has spent the last year in Europe and released his first major label release “Soulhop The Breakthru” on EMI Music Denmark. JAHI also secured an international publishing deal with EMI, and most recently, out of 15,000 submissions became a finalist for the International Song Writing Contest.  JAHI’s style of music is a fresh blend of true emceeing, soulful production, and socially conscious themes with clever flavor.  The Soulhop Tour dates are as follows:

March 12th- Higher Ground                  Burlington, Vermont w/Public Enemy
March 13th- Rams Head Live           Baltimore, Maryland w/Public Enemy
March 16th- Berklee School of Music   Boston, MA  w/Raheem Devaughn and Choklate
March 20th- Joe’s Pub                          NY, NY
March 22nd- Hard Rock Live                Orlando, Florida w/Public Enemy
March 23rd- Jannus Landing                St. Petersburg, Florida w/Public Enemy
April 7th-      ZION TRAIN                     Philly, PA
April 28th-    Atmosphere Café             Mt. Rainier, Maryland
MORE DATES TBA

Contact:
Mansfield Frazier- Frazier Management
office:(216) 469 0124
fax:   (216) 432-9571
e mail: mansfieldf@gmail.com
www.myspace.com/soulhop

NEW YORK, Feb. 28 /PRNewswire/ —
  Who:          Wendy Williams, host of the WBLS 107.5 FM syndicated radio
                show, "The Wendy Williams Experience."  Williams’ show can
                be seen on VH1, which also features excerpts of her personal
                life.  She has been named "Radio Personality of the Year" by
                Billboard magazine.

  (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060208/BORDERSLOGO )

  What:         Williams signs copies of her latest book, "Is the Bitch Dead
                or What? The Ritz Harper Chronicles Book 2."

  When:         Friday, March 2 at 12 p.m.

  Where:        Borders — Wall Street
                100 Broadway
                New York, NY 10005
                (212) 964-1988

  Why:          Committed to enriching lives through entertainment and
                knowledge, Borders offers customers the opportunity to meet
                their favorite authors and musicians in a friendly and
                welcoming atmosphere.

                Williams is the author of "Drama Is Her Middle Name: The
                Ritz Harper Chronicles Vol. 1," "The Wendy Williams
                Experience", and the autobiography, "Wendy’s Got the Heat."
                "Is the Bitch Dead or What? The Ritz Harper Chronicles Book
                2," is the second book in the series, following the life of
                William’s fictional alter ego, Ritz Harper.

  Additional
  Information:  Williams will also appear at the Borders store in
                Glendale, N.Y. on Thursday, March 8 at 7:30 p.m.  For
                additional information about the Glendale event, please call
                (718) 416-1003

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060208/BORDERSLOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com

Source: Borders, Inc.

CONTACT: Media, Daryl Mattson of Borders, Inc., +1-212-823-9774, or
dmattso1@bordersgroupinc.com

Web site: http://www.bordersgroupinc.com/

Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/106169.html

NOTE TO EDITORS: Media interested in attending should contact Daryl Mattson.

Ruckus Community Experiences Unprecedented Growth Fueled By Ad-Supported Model, Partnerships With 100+ Schools and Recent "Free For All" Announcement

February 28, 2007
NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Today at Digital Music Forum East, Ruckus Network, Inc., the provider of the premier college-only multimedia service, released data that demonstrates the rapid and significant proliferation of its free and legal music downloading service, Ruckus(R), on colleges and university campuses across the United States, where both administrators and students are realizing the many benefits the service provides.

The Ruckus community now comprises several hundred thousand members and has grown by more than 33 percent in the past six weeks alone. The Ruckus service also continues to expand, giving Ruckus members easy and immediate access to the library of more than 2.5 million high fidelity, virus-free music tracks from every major label, as well as an impressive and expansive list of independent labels. An analysis of current member activity reveals that in the last thirty days, 22.7 million tracks have been legally downloaded through Ruckus.

Additionally, Ruckus members are increasingly using the service’s social networking features, setting up profiles, commenting on the message boards, writing record and artist reviews and sharing play lists as they explore the expansive Ruckus catalog of today’s hits along with the hits from years past. Member feedback demonstrates that Ruckus users are sending personal media recommendations to friends and neighbors, browsing classmates’ profiles and media libraries, meeting new friends and using the “Invite A Friend” feature to share the Ruckus experience with friends at other colleges and universities.

Since moving to an advertising-supported business model a year ago, eliminating music downloading subscription fees charged to students or to academic institutions, the Ruckus service has also expanded 14-fold, making it one of the fastest growing member-based communities on the Internet.

“Ruckus continues to build a rapidly-expanding community of college students who share tastes and interests as they engage with one of the largest legitimate catalogs of online music today,” said Mike Bebel, CEO of Ruckus Network, Inc. “Our community shapes the experience at Ruckus and we appreciate and encourage their involvement.”

Ruckus’ Proliferation at Partner Schools

Ruckus has seen explosive growth at many colleges and universities that have established contractual agreements with Ruckus to deliver and market the service to their student body, both on-campus and off-campus. These include:

    * Michigan State University – 12,000 students have joined Ruckus and have legally downloaded nearly 3 million songs.
    * University of Dayton –over 8,000 students have become Ruckus members and legally downloaded more than 2.8 million songs.
    * Georgia Tech – where more than 9,300 students have joined Ruckus (from the total undergraduate student population of 14,000 students) and have legally downloaded more than 3.2 million songs.
    * Appalachian State University – 7,100 students have become Ruckus members and have legally downloaded more than 2.3 million songs.
    * Ball State University – 8,225 students have joined Ruckus and have legally downloaded more than 2.9 million songs.
    * University of Delaware – over 9,800 students have become Ruckus members and legally downloaded more than 2 million songs.
    * University of Minnesota – 13,500 students have joined Ruckus and legally downloaded 1.9 million songs.
    * The University of Oklahoma – 8,400 students have become Ruckus members and have legally downloaded 1.8 million songs.

Ruckus Delivers For Administrators, Students

“Two weeks after launching the Ruckus service, Sacred Heart University had over 1,800 sign-ups, representing more than 50 percent of our resident student population,” said Saburo Usami, Director of Networking, Telecomm, I.T. Security, Sacred Heart University. “Online music and social networking are an integral part of modern student life. Ruckus not only makes it significantly safer to participate in those services, but also makes it convenient, quick, and cost-free."

“I think Ruckus is really useful for college students like myself because I take my laptop everywhere on-campus and anytime I want to hear more music from an artist that’s been recommended to me by a friend, I can download as many albums as I want off of the site,” said Julie Dwyer, an undergraduate student at the University of Southern California (USC). “With Ruckus, everything downloads and licenses immediately so I can listen to 10-15 new tracks for free within minutes. It’s fast, easy, and there is SO much good music – both mainstream and indie. Since I am morally opposed to stealing music and literally do not have $10 a month to pay for a subscription service, I think it’s great.”

“Free For All” Spreads Like WildFire

On January 22, 2007 Ruckus became available for free to any college student with a valid .edu email account. Since that time, students at more than 700 schools nationwide have joined the Ruckus community. In addition, record numbers of new members continue to join Ruckus with this effort fueled by a powerfully viral word-of-mouth campaign conducted by existing Ruckus members.

About Ruckus Network, Inc.

Ruckus Network, Inc. provides the premier digital entertainment network designed specifically for college students. The Ruckus experience blends college students’ top interests – friends and entertainment – to create a strong sense of community at universities across the country. Whether looking for a roommate with similar interests or someone who enjoys hip hop music as much as they do, Ruckus members are able to find friends through media and media through friends. Today, the Ruckus service is available to hundreds of thousands of U.S. college students and is quickly becoming the brand of choice for higher education institutions nationwide. For more information, please visit our corporate site at www.RuckusNetwork.com or our service at www.Ruckus.com.
Contacts

BluePoint Venture Marketing
Tim Hurley or Andrew Soucy, 781-861-7800
tim@bluepointmktg.com
andrew@bluepointmktg.com
or
Ruckus Network
Chris Lawson, 703-464-6551
clawson@ruckus.com

Model of Multiple, Nationwide Events Designed to Increase Marketers’ Insights, Interaction with MTVN’s Multiplatform Brands, Consumer Research and Creative Solutions

NEW YORK, Feb. 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — MTV Networks (MTVN), a unit of Viacom (NYSE:VIA) (NYSE:and) (NYSE:VIA.B) , today announced its new presentation model for the Upfront and the 2007 selling season, a series of interactive ad sales events held throughout the year that reflect the marketplace’s continued evolution to a year-round selling model. Rolling out in four phases across the calendar year, the events will offer marketers news on programming initiatives, targeted forums for consumer research, creative solutions and strategic ideas on changes in consumer trends and behavior. The event series will feature: MTVN roadshows and individual client meetings in the spring, previewing new programming content and initiatives across all platforms from the company’s leading brands; MTVN "Digi-Tour" events also in the spring, offering clients total immersion in the multiplatform experiences the company creates across its brands; three demo-specific summits in the early fall, each focusing on consumer research and trends; and a strategy summit in the fall held exclusively for chief marketing officers.

"Launching this next-generation model is a strategic shift in how we work with our marketing partners to show vital research and insight into our shared consumers," said Judy McGrath, Chairman and CEO, MTVN. "This new model will allow us to better share how our fans interact with our content across platforms, enabling our marketing partners to get closer to our brands, to our content, to our audiences in ways that are customized to meet their needs."

"We believe this new model will enable deeper learning and a higher level of attention to customized marketing solutions," said Hank Close, President, U.S. Advertising Sales, MTVN. "It’s a 52-week-a-year idea marketplace, and we get that. We’ve listened to our clients and are creating a new environment for solution sharing. We look forward to engaging with our agencies and clients in a new, more productive way."

  The four phases of the event series rolling out this year include:

  Brand Roadshows and Client Meetings:

The event series will kick off this spring with roadshow presentations for the company’s brands, including MTV, VH1, CMT, and TV Land, and individual client meetings held by COMEDY CENTRAL, Spike TV, and CMT. Each event will preview upcoming marketing and programming initiatives for all platforms, while inviting marketers to explore new ways to reach the company’s targeted audiences on every available screen.

Nickelodeon, the number-one kids’ brand for 12 years running, has already launched its series of roadshows presentation that share the brand’s extensive consumer research on kids and families. Nickelodeon will also hold its own Upfront Kids and Family event on March 8th in New York City. MTV hits the road in March with a presentation taking partners into its long-standing connection with its highly targeted audience of young adults.

The TV Land presentation on March 23rd in New York, NY, will highlight that brand’s ever-expanding reach with the sizeable Baby Boomer audience through its original and acquired programming. VH1′s roadshow will be modeled after its popular "Best Week Ever" program, and is designed to help clients develop customized marketing solutions.

MTVN Digi-Tours:

Also in the spring, MTVN will hold Digi-Tours, a week-long series of events offering clients total immersion in the multiplatform experiences the company creates across its brands. The Digi-Tours events will include content and technology demonstrations with small groups of clients and agencies.

Demo Summits:

In early fall, MTVN will produce three demo-specific research summits providing deep dives into current consumer behaviors and attitudes across the targeted demos MTVN serves across its multiplatform portfolio.

These interactive events will give clients access to the proprietary research MTVN continually conducts, focusing specifically on:

   * Young Adults, whom the company connects to through the MTV brands (MTV,
     MTV2, MTV Tres, mtvU), The N and Quizilla;
   * Kids and Family, which the company reaches through brands including
     Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., Noggin, AddictingGames.com, Shockwave, Neopets
     and ParentsConnect;
   * Men/Adults, where MTVN is building increased scale through properties
     including CMT, COMEDY CENTRAL, Spike TV, TV Land, Xfire,
     AddictingClips.com, Atom Films and GameTrailers.com.

  Chief Marketing Officer Summit:

The company’s year-long ad sales event series will culminate in the fall with a summit held exclusively for chief marketing officers. The event will bring MTVN’s top clients together to discuss strategic models for collaboration, major consumer trends, and the future of marketing and advertising.

MTV Networks continues to build the premier portfolio of targeted global entertainment communities, with brands engage, empower and connect diverse audiences through culturally relevant creative content and unique experiences across every platform. With 135 channels and more than 200 interactive properties worldwide, the company continues to connect with highly targeted audiences across multiple platforms. MTV is the World’s Most Valuable Pure Media Brand for the 7th year in a row, according to the Interbrand/Business Week 2006 survey, "The World’s Most Valuable Brands." Nickelodeon has remained the number-one-rated basic cable network for more than 12 years. COMEDY CENTRAL is the number-one-rated basic cable network in primetime among men ages 18-24 for the third straight year.

MTVN currently has 32 broadband sites and 142 websites in live deployment globally. The company is the world’s leading producer of mobile video content, publishing more than 600 clips and 30 hours of video per month in the United States alone, across all major carriers and leading MVNOs. MTVN also has made its content readily available for download to own through deals with AOL, Amazon, Apple, Google and Microsoft’s Xbox 360. From the combination of MTVN’s own web sites and its acquired businesses, the company registered more than 40 million unique users in December 2006, and ranked as the number-one online entertainment destination and the 10th most popular overall destination on the Web (comScore Media Metrix December 2006, U.S. only).

About MTV Networks and Viacom

MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom (NYSE:VIA) (NYSE:VIA.B) , is one of the world’s leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. MTV Networks, with 135 channels worldwide, owns and operates the following television programming services — MTV: MUSIC TELEVISION, MTV2, VH1, mtvU, NICKELODEON, NICK at NITE, COMEDY CENTRAL, TV LAND, SPIKE TV, CMT, NOGGIN/THE N, VH1 CLASSIC, LOGO, MTVN INTERNATIONAL and THE DIGITAL SUITE FROM MTV NETWORKS, a package of 13 digital services, all of these networks trademarks of MTV Networks. MTV Networks connects with its audiences through its robust consumer products businesses and its more than 200 interactive properties worldwide, including online, broadband, wireless and interactive television services and also has licensing agreements, joint ventures, and syndication deals whereby all of its programming services can be seen worldwide.

Viacom is a leading global entertainment content company, with prominent and respected brands in focused demographics. Engaging its audiences through television, motion pictures and digital platforms, Viacom reaches its audiences wherever they consume content. Viacom’s leading brands include the multiplatform properties of MTV Networks, including MTV, VH1, Nickelodeon, Nick at Nite, COMEDY CENTRAL, CMT: Country Music Television, Spike TV, TV Land, Logo and more than 135 networks around the world, as well as digital assets such as Neopets, Xfire and Atom Entertainment; BET Networks; Paramount Pictures; Paramount Home Entertainment; DreamWorks; and Famous Music. More information about Viacom and its businesses is available at http://www.viacom.com/.

Source: MTV Networks

CONTACT: Lauren Hurvitz, +1-212-846-8036, lauren.hurvitz@mtvstaff.com,
or David Bittler, +1-212-846-5263, david.bittler@mtvstaff.com, both of MTV
Networks

Web site: http://www.mtv.com/
http://www.viacom.com/

New Organizational Strategy to Realign Multiplatform Brands into Demo-Specific ‘Clusters’ Designed to Enhance Client Focus, Foster Further Development of Innovative Marketing Solutions

Structure Also to Include MTVN Digital Advertising Sales, New Specialized Units MTVN Brand Solutions and MTVN Generator

NEW YORK, Feb. 28 /PRNewswire/ — MTV Networks (MTVN), a unit of Viacom (NYSE:VIA) (NYSE:VIA.B) , today announced a new organizational strategy for its Advertising Sales division, designed to enhance the company’s client focus and foster further development of innovative marketing solutions. Under the new structure, MTVN will realign its channels into three demo-specific, strategic selling "clusters," to leverage the individual strength of its portfolio of multiplatform brands, while taking full advantage of the efficiencies achieved when working within specific demographics and audience behaviors. The clusters are joined by specialized units within the Ad Sales division, including Digital Advertising Sales, and the new MTVN Brand Solutions and MTVN Generator units, which focus on client partnerships spanning MTVN’s brands, and new business opportunities, respectively.

"This new strategy reflects a holistic approach to the market, with sales, research and marketing aligned to develop solutions that put our clients in touch with our audiences in a deep and meaningful way," said Judy McGrath, Chairman and CEO, MTV Networks. "We know our highly targeted audiences better than anyone, and this new structure will enable us to bring our marketing partners closer to the fans of our portfolio of multiplatform brands."

"With this new structure, our clients can expect next-generation marketing solutions and a more streamlined sales experience overall," said Hank Close, President, U.S. Advertising Sales, MTVN. "Our greatest priorities right now are client service and innovation, and this new structure advances both."

The three clusters group MTVN’s channels according to the demos and audience behaviors they serve. Under this strategic selling structure, the Ad Sales division will be better positioned to create organizational efficiencies, allowing clients to develop partnerships across MTVN’s brands through minimized, focused touchpoints. The clusters include: Kids and Family, which groups the ad sales organizations of the Nickelodeon brands and Nick at Nite under the leadership of Jim Perry, Executive Vice President; the MTV, The N, Logo and VH1 cluster, which groups those brands under the leadership of Sean Moran, Executive Vice President; and Entertainment, which groups Comedy Central, Spike TV, CMT and TV Land under the leadership of Jeff Lucas, Executive Vice President. Leadership of the clusters will report to Close, as well as to the presidents of the respective MTVN groups — MTVN Kids & Family, MTVN Music and Logo Group, and MTVN Entertainment Group — they serve.

Additionally, several senior vice presidents throughout the Ad Sales organization will be adopting new responsibilities under the new structure. Dan Lovinger will serve as Senior Vice President, Ad Sales, MTV 360; Jim Tricarico will serve as Senior Vice President, Ad Sales in the Kids and Family cluster; Neil Holt will serve as Senior Vice President, Ad Sales, CMT; David Lawenda will serve as Senior Vice President, Ad Sales, VH1, The N and Logo; and Tom Watson will serve as head of sales for Logo.

In addition to the clusters, the Ad Sales division will operate three specialized strategic units, developed to help the company capitalize on the opportunities presented in the rapidly changing multiplatform ad sales landscape. Digital Ad Sales, helmed by Nada Stirratt, Executive Vice President, is focused on creating marketing solutions across MTVN’s 44 websites, 10 broadband services, and additional domestic digital properties. The newly created MTVN Brand Solutions unit, led by Lisa McCarthy, Executive Vice President, will focus on creating cross-brand, cross-platform marketing solutions for large clients who are heavily invested in multiple MTVN brands. Finally, the newly created MTVN Generator unit, led by Peter Griffin, Executive Vice President, will be squarely focused on new business opportunities, developing new marketing partners across the company’s multiplatform portfolio.

Additionally, MTVN and BET Networks, both units of Viacom, today announced a new structure and business strategy for their Affiliate Sales and Marketing group, under the leadership of that department’s newly appointed Executive Vice President, Denise Dahldorf. The group will be re-branded Content Distribution and Marketing, MTVN and BETN, and will implement an account-focused structure to model and best serve the evolving needs and direction of the company’s distribution partners.

About MTV Networks and Viacom

MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom (NYSE:VIA) (NYSE:VIA.B) , is one of the world’s leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. MTV Networks, with 135 channels worldwide, owns and operates the following television programming services — MTV: MUSIC TELEVISION, MTV2, VH1, mtvU, NICKELODEON, NICK at NITE, COMEDY CENTRAL, TV LAND, SPIKE TV, CMT, NOGGIN/THE N, VH1 CLASSIC, LOGO, MTVN INTERNATIONAL and THE DIGITAL SUITE FROM MTV NETWORKS, a package of 13 digital services, all of these networks trademarks of MTV Networks. MTV Networks connects with its audiences through its robust consumer products businesses and its more than 200 interactive properties worldwide, including online, broadband, wireless and interactive television services and also has licensing agreements, joint ventures, and syndication deals whereby all of its programming services can be seen worldwide.

Viacom is a leading global entertainment content company, with prominent and respected brands in focused demographics. Engaging its audiences through television, motion pictures and digital platforms, Viacom reaches its audiences wherever they consume content. Viacom’s leading brands include the multiplatform properties of MTV Networks, including MTV, VH1, Nickelodeon, Nick at Nite, COMEDY CENTRAL, CMT: Country Music Television, Spike TV, TV Land, Logo and more than 135 networks around the world, as well as digital assets such as Neopets, Xfire and Atom Entertainment; BET Networks; Paramount Pictures; Paramount Home Entertainment; DreamWorks; and Famous Music. More information about Viacom and its businesses is available at http://www.viacom.com/.

Source: MTV Networks

CONTACT: Lauren Hurvitz, +1-212-846-8036, lauren.hurvitz@mtvstaff.com,
or David Bittler, +1-212-846-5263, david.bittler@mtvstaff.com

Web site: http://www.mtv.com/
http://www.viacom.com/