NEW YORK (Epic Records/ www.epicrecords.com/ www.menudo.com) - Epic Records/ Sony BMG US-Latin join Menudo Entertainment to recreate the all-boy mega singing group, Menudo. Epic Records has been named the official record label and will sign the new Menudo members, once selected, to a recording contract with the intent of reinstating the group as the newest Latin pop sensation and launching them to a new generation of music fans.
MTV and Reveille (producer of "Ugly Betty," "Nashville Star," "The Office" and "The Biggest Loser," to name just a few) will co-produce 10 half hour episodes highlighting the extensive search for the next members of Menudo and the formation of the new band. The show will debut on MTV in Fall 2007. This is the third television collaboration between MTV and Reveille.
"The Menudo Brand has attracted a stellar group of partners to date, recently joined by Epic Records, MTV and Reveille. The journey to find the next international all-boy singing sensation has just begun," says Jerry Brenner, Menudo Entertainment LLC Principal.
"Indisputably, the biggest brand in Latin pop music over the last thirty years is Menudo. We will now empower the public to help define the Menudo brand today through various platforms and our partners with one common goal; to entertain audiences around the world with great music," says Charlie Walk, President of Epic Records.
"Sony BMG US-Latin has been involved with Menudo since 1983 and we are proud to be a part of introducing the concept to a whole new generation of Menudo fans," says Kevin Lawrie, President, Latin Region.
The MTV series will chronicle the new Menudo's rise to super pop stardom and feature the band recording their first album together, learning about the music industry and interacting with legendary icons who offer personal and professional advice along the way. As we see the band struggle to become a cohesive unit, the guys will have to learn how to overcome their differences, challenges and rigorous work schedules during this crucial time in their careers.
Leading up to the series premiere on MTV (title TBD), recently launched MTV Tr3s, which super serves US Latin culture will air "Road To Menudo" (working title). The series of specials will chronicle the entire journey of thousands from the first audition to the last, culminating with the selection of the members of the new Menudo. Casting segments will feature short form "from the road" capsules that will introduce the potential band members to the MTV audience.
"Our goal is to re-create the energy and excitement of the original Menudo that swept the world with its unique sound," said Ben Silverman, founder and CEO of Reveille. "By working closely with Epic Records and MTV, we will produce a unique television reality program that follows the search for the next band members and appeals to audiences across the globe."
"MTV has the ability to reach and connect with more young people on more screens than anyone else," said Christina Norman, President, MTV. "As the leader in creating fresh content that lives across multiple platforms, the Menudo project will fuel unique online, on-air and wireless opportunities for MTV and the newly launched MTV Tr3s that will deepen our connection to our viewers and introduce a new generation to one of the biggest names in Latino and American music."
Other previously announced partners in the search to bring back Menudo include Yahoo as the online partner and Gibson as the official musical instrument partner.
The original Menudo, which took the US and Latin America by storm during its run in the late 70s and 80s, produced superstar Ricky Martin, recorded 35 albums and sold more than 40 million records and set concert attendance records worldwide. Menudo will record a contemporary hip urban/Latin rhythmic sound and will be managed by Menudo Entertainment and legendary manager Johnny Wright who works with *NSYNC, Backstreet Boys, Danity Kane, Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake.
"Menudo was always the benchmark for a successful vocal group," says Menudo co-manager Johnny Wright. "Their fans were diverse and worldwide. I've been blessed to have been involved with some of the biggest vocal groups of all time - Backstreet Boys, *NSYNC, New Kids on the Block and Boys II Men. And now with Menudo, I come full circle. I look forward to once again watching the new Menudo captivate a new generation of fans and continue their legacy."
The search to discover the teenage boy group, ages 15 - 19, will reach out to potential Menudo members in both English and Spanish languages. Menudo Entertainment will conduct live auditions at targeted markets throughout the US and Puerto Rico. The first audition will be held at The Coliseo in San Juan, Puerto Rico on October 21, 2006. The auditions will start in the U.S. in early 2007 and visit cities including Los Angeles and Orlando among others. Open microphone tryouts held at various festivals including New York City's Puerto Rican Day Parade and Great Adventure have discovered talented young boys who will compete in the formal auditions. Dates and locations will be available at https://www.menudo.com
Epic Records, a division of Sony BMG Entertainment, is a trailblazing multi-media entertainment company and the creative habitat of some of today's most vital and diverse musical artists such as Shakira, Jessica Simpson, Jennifer Lopez, Natasha Bedingfield, Matisyahu, Fiona Apple, Incubus, The Fray and Los Lonely Boys to name a few.
MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), is one of the world's leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. MTV Networks, with more than 100 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 these networks trademarks of MTV Networks. MTV Networks connects with its audiences through its robust consumer products businesses and its more than 95 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.
Reveille is a leading independent production and distribution company focused on exploiting worldwide intellectual property rights through scripted and alternative television formats. Launched in March of 2002 by Ben Silverman, the company produces innovative entertainment programming across all television genres such as the Emmy Award-winning "The Office" (NBC), which has also received two Television Critics Association Awards; "The Biggest Loser" (NBC); "Ugly Betty" (ABC); "House of Boateng" (Sundance Channel); "30 Days" (FX); "Blow Out" (Bravo); "Bound For Glory" (ESPN); "Nashville Star" (USA); "Date My Mom" (MTV); and "The Restaurant" (NBC). Reveille is also the world leader in creating integrated marketing opportunities for leading advertisers while developing alternative financing paradigms. In addition, Reveille's growing library of programming is distributed to more than 150 countries worldwide through Reveille International. The company maintains offices in Los Angeles and New York.
Menudo Entertainment LLC is headquartered in New York with offices in Boston and Miami. For further information, visit the Menudo Entertainment Web site at https://www.menudo.com
Media Contacts:
Menudo: Cathy Callegari (212) 579-1370 [email protected]
Epic Records: Caroline Bubnis (212) 833-5818 [email protected]
MTV: Ariana Urbont (310) 752-8079 [email protected]
Reveille: Keith Estabrook (212) 269-4501 [email protected]
