Beyonce and Justin Timberlake Lead the Way With Seven Nominations Each Followed by Kanye West and Rihanna

With Five Nods and Amy Winehouse Vying for Three Moonmen

MTV Announces New Categories Honoring Year-Long, All-Around Achievements of Artists

NEW YORK, Aug. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- The "2007 MTV Video Music Awards" is set to take over the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas Sunday, September 9th at 9PM (Live ET/Tape Delayed PT.) To get things started, today the VMA's hijacked a special edition of "TRL" to announce nominees, performers and much more for the September 9th musical extravaganza. Artists nominated for the "2007 MTV Video Music Awards" include Justin Timberlake and Beyonce with seven nominations each; Kanye West and Rihanna received five nominations while Amy Winehouse received three nods. Timbaland, Kanye West, Fall Out Boy, Lily Allen, Amy Winehouse, Chris Brown, Foo Fighters and Rihanna are all scheduled to perform at the "2007 MTV Video Music Awards." In addition, Justin Timberlake and Timbaland are set to host their own Fantasy Suite party. Additional performers and presenters will be announced shortly.

In tune with the total reinvention of this year's show, MTV has pared down the categories to eight to be awarded during the live two hour show including new categories:

  -- Male Artist of the Year / Female Artist of the Year -- recognizes the
     artist's complete body of work throughout 2007.

  -- Most Earthshattering Collaboration -- a new award that recognizes the
     best teaming of creative minds in 2007.

  -- Monster Single of the Year -- awarded to that unavoidable super smash
     that you just can't get outta your head!

  -- Quadruple Threat award --- honors those boundary-busting artists who
     have conquered multiple worlds including, but not limited to; music,
     fashion, philanthropy, business, acting and dance.

"What great nominees! They truly reflect a stellar year in music and videos and show some love to the new faces that burst onto the scene this year," said MTV President Christina Norman.

The Ballots for "The 2007 MTV Video Music Awards" were sent out for the first time to artists and musical tastemakers as well as to an exclusive industry group and viewers who determined the nominees for the telecast. Approximately 50 viewers and individuals representing record labels, music journalists, video directors and music producers, selected the nominees for awards categories encompassing such wide-ranging contemporary music forms as rap, dance, R&B and rock. Ballots are cast online and duplication is avoided through a special control number assigned to each ballot, which can only be tallied once.

Shugoll Research is the Official Business Advisor of the "2007 MTV Video Music Awards".

Voting for "Best New Artist" begins August 7th through the show Live on September 9th. Viewers can vote by visiting www.vma.mtv.com.

Jesse Ignjatovic is the Executive Producer, Den of Thieves for the "2007 MTV Video Music Awards." Dave Sirulnick is Executive Producer. Chris Choun is Co-Executive Producer. Jen Jones and Jane Mun are Co-Producers. Amy Doyle and Joanna Bomberg are Music Talent Executives. Robin Reinhardt-Locke is Celebrity Talent Executive. Garrett English is Executive in Charge of Production. Hamish Hamilton is Director.

  Following are the nominees for the "2007 MTV Video Music Awards"

                            GENERAL CATEGORIES

  VIDEO OF THE YEAR

  AMY WINEHOUSE
  "Rehab"
  Back To Black
  Universal Republic
  Director: Phil Griffin
  Producer: Hywit Abate
  Production Company: Bikini Films

  BEYONCE
  "Irreplaceable"
  B'Day
  Columbia Records
  Director: Anthony Mandler
  Producer: Kim Bradshaw
  Production Company: Box Fresh Pictures

  JUSTICE
  "D.A.N.C.E."
  Vice Records
  Director: Jonas & Francois
  Producer: Jonas & Francois
  Production Company: 75 Prod

  JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE
  "What Goes Around ... Comes Around"
  Future Sex/Love Sounds
  Jive Records/Zomba Label Group
  Director: Samuel Bayer
  Producer: Veronica Zelle
  Production Company: H.S.I. Productions

  KANYE WEST
  "Stronger"
  Graduation
  Hip Hop Since 1978/Roc-A-Fella/Island Def Jam
  Director: Hype Williams
  Producer:  Hype Williams
  Production Company:  Naaila Entertainment

  RIHANNA featuring JAY-Z
  "Umbrella"
  Good Girl Gone Bad
  Def Jam
  Director: Chris Applebaum
  Producer:  John Hardin
  Production Company: Reactor Films

  MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR

  AKON
  "Don't Matter"
  Konvicted
  Universal Motown
  Director: Gil Green
  Producer: Jeff Panteleo
  Production Company: Partizan Entertainment

  Featuring EMINEM
  "Smack That"
  Konvicted
  Universal Motown
  Director: Benny Boom
  Producer: David Duarte
  Production Company: F.M. Rocks

  JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE
  Featuring T.I.
  "Let Me Talk To You/My Love"
  Future Sex/Love Sounds
  Jive Records/Zomba Label Group
  Director: Paul Hunter
  Producer: Veronica Zelle
  Production Company: H.S.I. Productions

  Featuring TIMBALAND
  "Sexy Back"
  Future Sex/Love Sounds
  Jive Records/Zomba Label Group
  Director: Michael Haussman
  Producer: Nina Huang
  Production Company: H.S.I. Productions

  And SNOOP DOGG
  "I Wanna Love You"
  Konvicted
  Universal Motown
  Director: Benny Boom
  Producer: Jeff Panteleo
  Production Company: Partizan Entertainment

  "Love Stoned/I Think She Knows Interlude"
  Future Sex/Love Sounds
  Jive Records/Zomba Label Group
  Director: Robert Hales
  Producer: Richard Weaver & Oualid Mousaness
  Production Company: H.S.I. Productions

  "What Goes Around ... Comes Around"
  Future Sex/Love Sounds
  Jive Records/Zomba Label Group
  Director: Samuel Bayer
  Producer: Veronica Zelle
  Production Company: H.S.I. Productions

  KANYE WEST
  "Can't Tell Me Nothing"
  Graduation
  Roc-A-Fella
  Director: Hype Williams
  Producer: Hype Williams
  Production Company: Naaila Entertainment

  "Stronger"
  Graduation
  hiphopsince1978/Roc-A-Fella/Island Def Jam
  Director: Hype Williams
  Producer: Hype Williams
  Production Company: Naaila Entertainment

  With NAS, KRS-ONE & RAKIM
  "Classic (Better Than I've Ever Been DJ Premier Remix)"
  Nike Air Force (25th Anniversary)
  Nike
  Director: Thibaut de Longeville
  Producer: Jeff Tammes
  Production Company: Partizan Entertainment

  ROBIN THICKE
  "Can U Believe"
  The Evolution of Robin Thicke
  Star Trak/Interscope Records
  Director: Benny Boom
  Producer: Roger Ubina
  Production Company: Uncle Music

  "Lost Without You"
  The Evolution of Robin Thicke
  Star Trak/Interscope Records
  Director: Benny Boom
  Producer: Roger Urbina
  Production Company: F.M. Rocks

  Featuring BUSTA RHYMES & PHARRELL
  "I Wanna Love You Girl (Remix)"
  The Evolution of Robin Thicke
  Star Trak/Interscope Records
  Director: P.R. Brown
  Producer: Michael Angelos
  Production Company: Anonymous

  T.I.
  "Big Things Poppin' (Do It)"
  T.I. vs T.I.P.
  Grand Hustle/Atlantic Records
  Director: Eric White
  Producer: Joyce Washington
  Production Company: Uncle Films, L.L.C

  Featuring WYCLEF JEAN
  "You Know What It Is"
  T.I. vs T.I.P.
  Grand Hustle/Atlantic Records
  Director: Chris Robinson
  Producer: Joyce Washington
  Production Company: H.S.I. Productions
  "What You Know"
  KING (The Album), ATL (The Movie)
  Grand Hustle/Atlantic Records
  Director: Chris Robinson
  Producer: Melissa Larsen
  Production Company: H.S.I. Productions

  FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR

  AMY WINEHOUSE
  "Rehab"
  Back To Black
  Universal Republic
  Director: Phil Griffin
  Producer: Hywit Abate
  Production Company: Bikini Films

  "You Know I'm No Good"
  Back To Black
  Universal Republic
  Director: Phil Griffin
  Producer: Kate Phillips for Alchemy
  Production Company: Alchemy

  BEYONCE
  "Irreplaceable"
  B'Day
  Columbia Records
  Director: Anthony Mandler
  Producer: Kim Bradshaw
  Production Company: Box Fresh Pictures

  And SHAKIRA
  "Beautiful Liar"
  B'DAY Deluxe Edition & Video Anthology
  Columbia Records
  Director: Jake Nava
  Producer: Ben Cooper
  Production Company: Anonymous Content

  FERGIE
  "Big Girls Don't Cry (Personal)"
  The Dutchess
  Wil.I.Am Music Group/A&M Records
  Director: Anthony Mandler
  Producer: Gina Leonard
  Production Company: Cyclops Productions

  "Glamorous"
  Featuring LUDACRIS
  The Dutchess
  Wil.I.Am Music Group/A&M Records
  Director: Dave Meyers
  Producer: Gina Leonard
  Production Company: @radical.media

  Featuring WIL.I.AM
  "Fergalicious"
  The Dutchess
  Wil.I.Am Music Group/A&M Records
  Director: Fatima Robinson
  Producer: Dawn Rose
  Production Company: Black Dog Films

  NELLY FURTADO
  "Maneater"
  Loose
  Mosley Music/Geffen Records
  Director: Anthony Mandler
  Producer: Ciarro Pardo, Grace Miguel, Lou Miguel
  Production Company: Box Fresh Pictures

  "Say It Right"
  Loose
  Mosley Music/Geffen Records
  Director: Rankin & Chris
  Producer: Nicole Acacio
  Production Company: North By North Six

  RIHANNA featuring JAY-Z
  "Umbrella"
  Good Girl Gone Bad
  Def Jam
  Director: Chris Applebaum
  Producer:  John Hardin
  Production Company: Reactor Films

  BEST NEW ARTIST

  AMY WINEHOUSE
  "Rehab"
  Back To Black
  Universal Republic
  Director: Phil Griffin
  Producer: Hywit Abate
  Production Company: Bikini Films

  "You Know I'm No Good"
  Back To Black
  Universal Republic
  Director: Phil Griffin
  Producer: Kate Phillips
  Production Company: Alchemy

  CARRIE UNDERWOOD
  "Before He Cheats"
  Some Hearts
  Arista Nashville
  Director: Roman White
  Producer: Randy Brewer
  Production Company: Rev-o-lution Pictures

  GYM CLASS HEROES
  "Clothes Off"
  As Cruel As School Children
  DecayDance/Fueled By Ramen
  Director: Alan Ferguson
  Producer: Jose Carlos Mangual
  Production Company: The Kompany

  "Cupid's Chokehold/Breakfast in America"
  As Cruel As School Children
  DecayDance/Fueled By Ramen
  Director: Alan Ferguson
  Producer: Jacqui Frisco
  Production Company: Anonymous Content

  LILY ALLEN
  "Alfie"
  Alright, Still
  Capitol Records
  Director: Sarah Chatfield
  Producer: Fiona Wright
  Production Company: Colonel Blimp

  "Smile"
  Alright, Still
  Capitol Records
  Director: Sophie Muller
  Producer: Rob Small
  Production Company: Factory Films

  "LDN"
  Alright, Still
  Capitol Records
  Director: Nima Nourizadeh
  Producer: Grace Bodie
  Production Company: Partizan Entertainment

  PETER BJORN & JOHN
  "Young Folks"
  Writer's Block
  Almost Gold Recordings
  Director: Ted Malmros
  Producer: Ted Malmros
  Production Company: Oktan

  BEST GROUP

  FALL OUT BOY
  "This Ain't A Scene, It's An Arms Race"
  Infinity On High
  Island Records
  Director: Alan Ferguson
  Producer: Jacqui Frisco
  Production Company: Anonymous Content

  "THNKS FR TH MMRS"
  Infinity On High
  Island Records
  Director: Alan Ferguson
  Producer: Jacqui Frisco
  Production Company: Anonymous Content

  GYM CLASS HEROES
  "Clothes Off"
  As Cruel As School Children
  DecayDance/Fueled By Ramen
  Director: Alan Ferguson
  Producer: Jose Carlos Mangual
  Production Company: The Kompany

  "Cupid's Chokehold/Breakfast in America"
  As Cruel As School Children
  DecayDance/Fueled By Ramen
  Director: Alan Ferguson
  Producer: Jacqui Frisco
  Production Company: Anonymous Content

  LINKIN PARK
  "What I've Done"
  Minutes To Midnight
  Warner Bros. Records
  Director: Joseph Hahn
  Producer: Bill Boyd
  Production Company: @radical.media

  MAROON 5
  "Makes Me Wonder"
  It Won't Be Soon Before Long
  A&M/Octone Records
  Director: John Hillcoat
  Producer: Shelli Jury
  Production Company: Oil Factory

  WHITE STRIPES
  "Icky Thump"
  Icky Thump
  Third Man Records/Warner Bros. Records
  Director: The Malloys & Jack White
  Producer: John Hopgood
  Production Company: Frames Per Second Productions, Inc.

  MOST EARTHSHATTERING COLLABORATION

  AKON featuring EMINEM
  "Smack That"
  Konvicted
  Universal Motown
  Director: Benny Boom
  Producer: David Duarte
  Production Company: F.M. Rocks

  BEYONCE & SHAKIRA
  "Beautiful Liar"
  B'DAY Deluxe Edition & Video Anthology
  Columbia Records
  Director: Jake Nava
  Producer: Ben Cooper
  Production Company: Anonymous Content

  GWEN STEFANI featuring AKON
  "The Sweet Escape"
  The Sweet Escape
  Interscope Records
  Director: Joseph Kahn
  Producer: Maryann Tenado
  Production Company: H.S.I. Productions

  JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE featuring TIMBALAND
  "Sexy Back"
  Future Sex/Love Sounds
  Jive Records/Zomba Label Group
  Director: Michael Haussman
  Producer: Nina Huang
  Production Company: H.S.I. Production

  U2 featuring GREEN DAY
  "The Saints Are Coming"
  U218 Singles
  Interscope Records
  Director: Chris Milk
  Producer: Barbara Benson
  Production Company: @radical.media

  QUADRUPLE THREAT OF THE YEAR

  BEYONCE (Columbia Records)

  BONO (Interscope)

  JAY-Z (Roc-A-Fella)

  JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE (Jive Records/Zomba Label Group)

  KANYE WEST (Roc-A-Fella)

  MONSTER SINGLE OF THE YEAR

  AVRIL LAVIGNE
  "Girlfriend"
  The Best Damn Thing
  RCA
  Director: The Malloys
  Producer: John Winters
  Production Company: Black Dog Films

  DAUGHTRY
  "Home"
  Daughtry
  RCA
  Director: Danny Clinch
  Producer:  Lindha Narvaez
  Production Company: Three on the Tree Productions

  FALL OUT BOY
  "THNKS FR TH MMRS"
  Infinity On High
  Island Records
  Director: Alan Ferguson
  Producer: Jacqui Frisco
  Production Company: Anonymous Content

  LIL' MAMA
  "Lip Gloss (No Music)"
  The Voice of the Young People
  Jive Records/Zomba Label Group
  Director: Malcolm Jones
  Producer: Brian Quinlan
  Production Company: @radical.media

  MIMS
  "This Is Why I'm Hot"
  M.I.M.S. (Music Is My Savior)
  American King/UBO
  Director: Dale Resteghini
  Producer: Kim Resteghini
  Production Company: Raging Nation Films

  PLAIN WHITE T'S
  "Hey There, Delilah"
  All That We Need
  Fearless Records
  Director: Jay Martin
  Producer: Kwame Amoaku
  Production Company: 5 Guns No Cables

  RIHANNA featuring JAY-Z
  "Umbrella"
  Good Girl Gone Bad
  Def Jam
  Director: Chris Applebaum
  Producer:  John Hardin
  Production Company: Reactor Films

  SHOP BOYZ
  "Party Like A Rock Star"
  Rockstar Mentality
  ONDECK Records/Universal Republic
  Director: Marc Klasfeld
  Producer: Billy Parks
  Production Company: Rockhard Films

  TIMBALAND featuring KERI HILSON, D.O.E. & Sebastian
  "The Way I Are"
  Timbaland Presents: Shock Value
  Interscope Records/Mosley Music Group/Blackground Records
  Director: Shane Drake
  Producer: Hiywet Abate & Kate Phillips
  Production Company: Merge

  T-PAIN featuring YUNG JOC
  "Buy You A Drank (Shawty Snappin')"
  Epiphany
  Jive Records
  Director: Benny Boom
  Producer: Joyce Washington
  Production Company: Uncle Music

                         PROFESSIONAL CATEGORIES

  BEST DIRECTOR

  BEYONCE & SHAKIRA
  "Beautiful Liar"
  B'DAY Deluxe Edition & Video Anthology
  Columbia Records
  Director: Jake Nava
  Producer: Ben Cooper
  Production Company: Anonymous Content

  CHRISTINA AGUILERA
  "Candyman"
  Back To Basics
  RCA
  Director: Mathew Rolston & Christina Aguilera
  Producer: Barbara Benson
  Production Company: @radical.media

  JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE
  "What Goes Around ... Comes Around"
  Future Sex/Love Sounds
  Jive Records/Zomba Label Group
  Director: Samuel Bayer
  Producer: Veronica Zelle
  Production Company: H.S.I. Productions

  KANYE WEST
  "Stronger"
  Graduation
  Hip Hop Since 1978/Roc-A-Fella/Island Def Jam
  Director: Hype Williams
  Producer: Hype Williams
  Production Company: Naaila Entertainment

  LINKIN PARK
  "What I've Done"
  Minutes To Midnight
  Warner Bros. Records
  Director: Joseph Hahn
  Producer: Bill Boyd
  Production Company: @radical.media

  RIHANNA featuring JAY-Z
  "Umbrella"
  Good Girl Gone Bad
  Def Jam
  Director: Chris Applebaum
  Producer:  John Hardin
  Production Company: Reactor Films

  BEST EDITING IN A VIDEO

  BEYONCE & SHAKIRA
  "Beautiful Liar"
  B'DAY Deluxe Edition & Video Anthology
  Columbia Records
  Director: Jake Nava
  Producer: Ben Cooper
  Production Company: Anonymous Content
  Editor: Jarett Figl

  GNARLS BARKLEY
  "Smiley Faces"
  St. Elsewhere
  Downtown/Atlantic Records
  Director: Robert Hales
  Producer: Coleen Haynes
  Production Company: H.S.I. Productions, Inc.
  Editor: Ken Mowe

  JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE
  "What Goes Around ... Comes Around"
  Future Sex/Love Sounds
  Jive Records
  Director: Samuel Bayer
  Producer: Veronica Zelle
  Production Company: H.S.I. Productions
  Editor: Hollee Singer

  KANYE WEST
  "Stronger"
  Graduation
  Hip Hop Since 1978/Roc-A-Fella/Island Def Jam
  Director: Hype Williams
  Producer: Hype Williams
  Production Company: Naaila Entertainment
  Editor: Peter Johnson & Corey Weisz

  LINKIN PARK
  "What I've Done"
  Minutes To Midnight
  Warner Bros. Records
  Director: Joseph Hahn
  Producer: Bill Boyd
  Production Company: @radical.media
  Editor: Igor Kovalik

  BEST CHOREOGRAPHY IN A VIDEO

  BEYONCE & SHAKIRA
  "Beautiful Liar"
  B'DAY Deluxe Edition & Video Anthology
  Columbia Records
  Director: Jake Nava
  Producer: Ben Cooper
  Production Company: Anonymous Content
  Choreographer: Frank Gatson

  CHRIS BROWN
  "Wall To Wall"
  Exclusive
  Jive Records/Zomba
  Director: Erik White
  Producer: Roger Urbina
  Production Company: Uncle Music
  Choreographer: Rich & Tone and Flii Styles

  CIARA
  "Like A Boy"
  Ciara: The Evolution
  Laface/Zomba Label Group
  Director: Ms. D
  Producer: Michael Angelos
  Production Company: DNA
  Choreographer: Jamaica Craft (lead choreographer)

  EVE
  "Tambourine"
  Here I Am
  Aftermath/Geffen/interscope/Full Surface
  Director: Melina
  Producer: John Winter
  Production Company: Black Dog Films
  Choreographer: Tanesha Scott

  JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE featuring TIMBALAND
  "My Love"
  Future Sex/Love Sounds
  Jive Records
  Director: Michael Haussman
  Producer: Nina Huang
  Production Company: H.S.I. Production
  Choreographer: Marty Kuldeka

The official sponsors of the "2007 MTV Video Music Awards" are Chevy, Herbal Essences, Neutrogena, Pepsi Smash, Sprint and Taco Bell.

About MTV

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 more than 130 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, VH1 CLASSIC, LOGO, MTVN INTERNATIONAL and THE DIGITAL SUITE FROM MTV NETWORKS, a package of 13 digital services, all of which are 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. The network also has licensing agreements, joint ventures, and syndication deals whereby all of its programming services can be seen worldwide.

About the Palms Casino Resort

The Palms Casino Resort, heralded as one of Las Vegas' hippest resorts, is an all-encompassing, one-stop resort destination. Owned by the Maloof family, the 703-room property boasts a diverse mix of bars and restaurants and a 95,000-square-foot casino. Amenities include the legendary Playboy Club - the first and only club of its kind to open in 25 years; The Pearl Concert Theater; Moon Nightclub; Nove Italiano; Little Buddha; The Palms Pool & Bungalows; Palms Spa and AMP salon; Brenden Theatres, a 14-theatre Cineplex; Rain Night Club; ghostbar; Hart and Huntington Tattoo Company; and over 60,000 square-feet of meeting space. The Palms is home to the Real World: Las Vegas and Bravo's Celebrity Poker Showdown, as well as E!'s Party at the Palms, hosted by Jenny McCarthy, and A&E's Inked. The resort features the hottest collection of Fantasy Suites including the Erotic Suite with its trademark Show Shower, the Real World Suite, as seen on MTV, and the Hardwood Suite, the only hotel room in the world with its own basketball court. E!'s Girls Next Door, VH1, MTV and CSI feature the Palms on a regular basis and the Victoria's Secret Angels made the Palms a featured destination on their "Angels Across America" tour. The Palms Casino Resort is located just west of the Las Vegas Strip and I-15 on Flamingo Road. For room reservation information, call toll free at (866) PALMS-RES, (866) 725-6773, or visit www.palms.com. For groups of 15 rooms or more, contact the Sales Department at (866) PALMS-MTG or (866) 725-6768.

Source: MTV

CONTACT: Jennifer DeGuzman, +1-212-846-7175,
jennifer.deguzman@mtvstaff.com, or Melissa Barreto, +1-212-846-7226,
melissa.barreto@mtvstaff.com, both of MTV; or Larry Fink, Palms Casino Resort,
+1-702-942-6843, larry.fink@palms.com

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