BANGKOK, Thailand (MTV Networks PR/ www.mtv.com/ www.mtvasiaaid.com) - MTV announced today that artists from around the world have pledged their support to the MTV Asia Aid benefit, featuring
Alicia Keys and with live performances from Good Charlotte,
Kelly Clarkson,
Hoobastank &
Simple Plan, who will join top artists from across Asia at the event, taking place in Bangkok, Thailand on 3 February at the IMPACT Arena.
International superstar Jennifer Lopez will contribute a pre-recorded performance to the show, and Sting, 50 Cent, Ricky Martin, Nelly, Green Day, Moby and Ronan Keating will offer specially taped messages of support during the broadcast, which will premiere on all MTV channels worldwide to a potential audience of more than one billion people. The show will premiere on MTV2 in the U.S. on 3 February at 9am (ET) and at 3pm (GMT) on MTV U.K. & Ireland. Additional artists will be announced soon.
Additionally, MTV Asia Aid is being made available rights free and cost free to all broadcasters globally to maximize distribution and help generate as many donations as possible for primary recipient UNICEF, as well as additional charities in local markets. CNN International will also support the event with specially created vignettes highlighting the need for continued support of the relief efforts.
"We wanted to take our relief efforts directly to Southeast Asia through MTV's Asia Aid benefit. The response so far has been overwhelming, and the event will bring together diverse artists from across the globe to offer hope and inspiration," commented Bill Roedy, President, MTV Networks International.
"This will be a global event airing on all MTV channels worldwide. The special will also be offered rights free and at no cost to all broadcasters, who we invite to join us in helping continue to generate donations to UNICEF. Our goal is to reach at least three-quarters of the world's TV households with this event."
"The MTV Asia Aid event is about empowering viewers everywhere to continue supporting the relief efforts. MTV has a role to play in these efforts based on our unique connection with young people globally. This global music event is taking place in Thailand, home to a rich and vibrant music culture, and it will provide the perfect venue from which to launch the worldwide initiative," said Frank Brown, President, MTV Networks Asia Pacific.
The majority of the donations raised will be contributed to UNICEF, with funds in Thailand also going to the Rajaprajanugroh Foundation under the Royal Patronage and The Office of the Permanent Secretary to the Prime Minister - The Government House; and funds in India also going to the Prime Minister's Relief Fund. To learn more about how to donate via online, SMS or other means, go to https://www.mtvasiaaid.com.
"MTV Asia Aid will help to maintain the world's attention on the devastation and loss that the tsunami has caused for millions of people," said Richard Bridle, Deputy Regional Director, UNICEF. "The continued support of the world community will play an ever growing role as families, local communities, and government come together to bring relief to those affected and in the long term reconstruction effort."
CNN, the world's largest news network, will provide nine originally produced vignettes chronicling the human element of tragedy in the aftermath of the tsunami. The intimate video-montage pieces, featuring first hand accounts of the survivors, will air throughout the show, and will serve to inform the viewers of the continuing need for relief efforts in the region.
"While tens of thousands died and many more are still missing, the human tragedy for those that survived the tsunami continues to grow. By combining the resources of CNN's teams still working in the affected region with MTV's Asia Aid, we can highlight the ongoing reconstruction efforts and the difficult process of healing for the people around the Indian Ocean," said Rena Golden, Senior Vice President, CNN International.
The production design has been specially created to complement the benefit event. A palm tree logo has been created to signify the resilience and spirit of the people affected, and as a potent symbol of life in the regions affected. During the event messages of hope and support from viewers around the world will be scrolled on large screens at the back of the stage, enabling people everywhere to be part of the relief effort.
In addition to participation from leading international artists, the event will feature live performances from top Asian acts, including Asha Bhosle (India), Bird Thongchai McIntyre (Thailand), Jay Chou (Taiwan), Namie Amura (Japan), Shinhwa (Korea), Siti Nurhaliza (Malaysia), Slank (Indonesia), and Tata Young (Thailand).
Official partners for the MTV Asia Aid are Toyota Motor Corporation, HP and Samsung. Local support are from Sinyal Kuat Indosat in Indonesia, 5425 in Korea, DiGi Telecommunications Sdn Bhd in Malaysia, Addict Mobile in the Philippines, StarHub in Singapore and Heineken in Thailand. MTV Asia Aid is also strongly supported by Tourism Authority of Thailand. Thai Airways is the official airline of MTV Asia Aid.
To broadcast the MTV Asia Aid benefit rights free and cost free, please contact Sara Piot ([email protected]) in London on +44 20 7478 6314, Ed Wells ([email protected]) in Singapore on +65 6420 7164, or Christopher James ([email protected]) in Singapore on +65 6420 7163.
On February 3, 2005 at 6:00PM EST, MTV will air MTV News Presents: After The Tsunami which examines how those most affected by the Tsunami are recovering by sending reporters to get the story from young people on the ground in each of the most affected nations. MTV News correspondents SuChin Pak and Gideon Yago head to Thailand and Indonesia respectively; MTV UK's Tim Kash surveys his native land of Sri Lanka; and MTV India's Cyrus explores the devastation in his homeland.
