MTV Asia, a unit of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA), today announced the appointment of the first-ever MTV World Stage Insider, right after the special live screening of the 2013 “MTV Video Music Awards” (VMA) this morning, in front of a small group of online media and bloggers who attended the VMA screening in Singapore and across MTV Asia’s social media channels.
SINGAPORE/MALAYSIA/PHILIPPINES/INDONESIA, 26 AUGUST 2013 – MTV Asia, a unit of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA), today announced the appointment of the first-ever MTV World Stage Insider, immediately following this morning’s special live screening of the 2013 “MTV Video Music Awards” (VMA) before a selected group of online media and bloggers who attended the VMA screening in Singapore and across MTV Asia’s social media channels. Multi-talented 24-year-old Matthew Zachary Liu, will now get to experience the coolest ten-day ‘job’ by being a part of the MTV social media team, representing fans and introducing them to the MTV Experience from the inside, via real time regular updates, videos, tweets, and photos of MTV World Stage Live in Malaysia 2013. Currently serving his national service as a firefighter, Liu is also an experienced host and active social media junkie. In being picked for the US$10,0001 gig, Liu beat a talented pool of entries from across Southeast Asia including Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and Singapore and emerged the top candidate after a Skype video call interview process with shortlisted potentials last week. His 1st day on the ‘job’ commences on 30 August till 9 September 2013.
The MTV Asia team took Liu by surprise when they conducted a covert operation to notify him of his new role when he was at the airport last Thursday. Catch his surprise in the short video clip by the MTV crew.
Tagged as not the usual nine-to-five role, the hunt for MTV World Stage Insider was launched on 1 August through MTV Asia’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts and the hunt was open for twenty days. Potential social media mavericks submitted creative, innovative and even humorous blog and video entries on a variety of social platforms, with the unique #InsideWS hashtag.
Liu emerged top-of-the-class amongst a host of applicants, impressing MTV Asia with his creative social media resume. Complemented by a wealth of local and regional experience accumulated since his teenage years, Liu’s exciting resume include the recent Singapore MediaCorp’s The Final 1 where he was the backstage live host, Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games, Singapore Idol, celebrity interviews with the likes of Maroon 5 and The Script and as the Programme Director of Radio Heatwave, Ngee Ann Polytechnic’s radio station where he was previously a student.
“Ten years ago, I was a kid who was introduced to and fell in love with the world of music entertainment because of MTV. To me, MTV is not just about music. It introduces what the next big thing is, it holds the power to create and shape the future generation. A decade later, I am chosen to be MTV World Stage Insider! It’s an unbelievable childhood dream that’s come true,” gushed Matthew Liu. “It’s an even greater honour to represent youths out there like myself, and to be part of that enormous influence on MTV’s audience. As the MTV World Stage Insider, I hope I can represent fans well in sharing stories on MTV World Stage Live in Malaysia that bring fans one step closer to experiencing their own MTV dream.”
“The MTV World Stage Insider joins the MTV social media team to immerse in the MTV Experience, amplify the passion and represent fans by showcasing what they want to see and hear at MTV World Stage Live in Malaysia. We expected great social media talents to surface through the hunt, but the quality of the submissions received were beyond what we imagined and further reinforced to us how many youths out there who are really connected to and influenced by MTV in Asia. It also made it almost impossible to choose!” said Ms Nam Ji Hee, Vice President, Digital Media, Viacom International Media Networks Asia. “Ultimately, Matthew not only has a strong social media presence, but he stood out amongst the others in his creativity and delivery. We believe he will bring an added dimension to MTV’s social media channels. His personality certainly makes a strong representation of the young, amazing lives that embody the MTV spirit.”
As the MTV World Stage Insider, Liu will actively engage MTV's hyper-social audience through a ‘takeover’ of MTV Asia’s social media channels – Twitter and Instagram. He will have his blog reposted on MTV World Stage Live in Malaysia 2013’s official site, have a backstage pass2 and connect the MTV experience with fans – answering their questions, amplifying their interests, showcasing behind-the-scenes footage.
The much anticipated outdoor concert, with a performers’ line-up that includes Robin Thicke, Far East Movement, EXO and Joe Flizzow, takes place at Surf Beach at Sunway Lagoon on Sunday, 8th September. The concert is also expected to attract a live audience of around 15,000 fans. It is sponsored by Sunway Group, Xpax and Suzuki, and supported by broadcast partner, Astro. Local radio partners are hitz.fm, ERA fm, MY FM and MIX fm.
MTV World Stage is a global series that brings multi-genre talents with global relevance, telecast to an audience in over 550 million households. Recorded ‘live’ at the most exclusive gigs, world renowned music festivals and unique concert locations from around the world, the series is the ‘front row seat’ for music lovers to experience the biggest artists on the globe without leaving the comfort of their sofas. MTV World Stage Live in Malaysia is part of this platform that delivers the MTV brand experience not only on the ground with MTV fans in Malaysia, but with a global airing in 154 countries across MTV Networks. The Malaysia show is also MTV’s first originally-produced MTV World Stage event globally, which started in 2009.
WIN CONCERT PASSES
Fans can score free passes to the highly anticipated event by taking part in a real-time and interactive multi-player game on worldstage.mtvasia.com till 27 August.
For the first time, avid MTV fans can access the game on both the computer and mobile device, gaining around-the-clock opportunities to win the concert passes. MTV is arranging to give away passes as instant wins to participants through multiple game sessions every half hour every day.
Residents of Hong Kong, Indonesia, Singapore and The Philippines will have the chance to win all-expenses paid trips to attend MTV World Stage Live in Malaysia 2013. The online game contest started 29 July and ends 27 August. Contest terms and conditions are available on the website. Fans can also follow the hashtag #worldstagemy for contest tips and updates.
Additionally, sponsors will be giving out passes through their own promotions.
NEWS UPDATES ON SOCIAL MEDIA
As they count down to MTV World Stage Live in Malaysia 2013, fans can receive first-hand information by following MTV on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for news updates on MTV World Stage Live in Malaysia 2013. And Liu will play an active part in ‘taking over’ MTV social media channels.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/mtvasia
Twitter: www.twitter.com/mtvasia
Hashtag: #worldstagemy
MTV World Stage Live in Malaysia 2013 will premiere on Saturday, 21st September 2013 @ 10.30am (TH/WIB), 11.30am (SIN/HK/PH), 12.30pm (MAL).
Notes:
1 Engagement fee for the role excludes Travel & Expenses that will be determined in contract with MTV.
2 Subject to on-the-role brief on rules of engagement and scope of backstage access as an MTV ‘staff’.
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About MTV
MTV is the world’s premier youth entertainment brand. With a global reach of more than a half-billion households, MTV is the cultural home of the millennial generation, music fans and artists, and a pioneer in creating innovative programming for young people. MTV reflects and creates pop culture with its award-winning content built around compelling storytelling, music discovery and activism across TV, online and mobile. Outside of the United States, MTV is part of Viacom International Media Networks, a division of Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), one of the world’s leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. For information about MTV in Southeast Asia, visit www.mtvasia.com.
About Viacom International Media Networks
Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN), a unit of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), is comprised of many of the world’s most popular multimedia entertainment brands, including MTV, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, BET, Paramount Channel, VH1, VIVA, COLORS, Game One and Tr3s: MTV, Música y Más. Viacom brands are seen globally in more than 600 million households in 170 territories and 37 languages via more than 200 locally programmed and operated TV channels and more than 550 digital media and mobile TV properties. For more information about Viacom and its businesses, visit www.viacom.com. Keep up with Viacom news by following Viacom’s blog at blog.viacom.com and Twitter feed at www.twitter.com/Viacom.
About Sunway Resort City
Sprawling 800 acres, Sunway Resort City is an engineering tour de force which has garnered global recognition, and is certified by Green Building Index as Malaysia’s first green township. Located just 20 minutes from the nation’s capital of Kuala Lumpur, Sunway Resort City is flanked by over seven million square feet of world class facilities, and attracts some 40 million visitations every year. It comprises an enviable portfolio of more than 7,000 residential and commercial units, in addition to the multi award-winning hospitality, retail, leisure, healthcare and education components. Sunway Resort City is also regarded as a safe city, and continues to stand as the nation’s only integrated resort city epitomising the hallmark “resort living within a city” in which a legion of communities live, work, study, play and shop in a safe and secure environment. Today Sunway Resort City remains as one of Southeast Asia’s most important and preferred tourist destinations.
Sunway Resort City is an ingenious creation of Sunway Group that brims with life, continued vitality and a flourishing ecology. Sunway Group, established in 1974 as a tin-mining company, has now thrived to become one of Malaysia’s most formidable property-construction groups, with a multitude of established businesses in more than 40 locations worldwide. Sunway Group comprises 11 business divisions namely Property, Construction, Hospitality, Retail, Leisure, Commercial, Trading & Manufacturing, Building Materials, Healthcare, Education and Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT).
About Xpax
Xpax is Celcom Axiata Berhad’s main prepaid brand and represents more than half of Celcom’s total of 10.1 million prepaid subscribers. Xpax is a brand that personifies every minute of one’s time, offering the best value and unbeatable call rate from as low as 2.8 sen per minute. In addition, Xpax is also about empowering the young at heart in experiencing extraordinary and amazing once-in-a-lifetime feelings. Got X Time. www.xpax.com.my.
About Suzuki
Suzuki Motor Corporation designs and manufactures passenger cars, commercial vehicles, motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), outboard motors, and other products. The Company continuously and vigorously promotes technical cooperation through numerous joint ventures overseas, and its main production facilities are currently located in 20 countries and regions overseas. The established network enables Suzuki to operate as a global organization serving 200 countries and regions.
Suzuki Motor Corporation was first established as Suzuki Loom Manufacturing Co. in March 1920.
Suzuki then entered the motorcycle business with the introduction of “Power Free” motorized bicycle in 1952, and entered the automobile business in 1955 with the introduction of “Suzulight” mini car.
Suzuki is committed to use its amassed technological expertise and all other available resources to help raise the quality of human life in society by promoting corporate growth through manufacture and supply of socially demanded products.
About Hong Leong Bank Berhad
Hong Leong Bank Berhad is one of the leading financial services organisations in Malaysia. With a heritage of more than 100 years, it provides comprehensive financial services covering consumer banking, business banking and trade finance, treasury, branch and transaction banking, wealth management, private banking and Islamic financial services. Its merger with EON Bank Group in 2011 has further embedded its position as a core banking franchise with an expanded distribution network of more than 300 branches across the country.
With a proven track record in value creation and a highly recognised brand, Hong Leong Bank has also been extending its footprint in the region, with branches in Singapore and Hong Kong and a wholly owned subsidiary in Vietnam. In China, the Bank has a 20% shareholding in Bank of Chengdu Co., Ltd., Sichuan and a consumer finance joint venture.
Hong Leong Bank is a subsidiary of Hong Leong Financial Group Berhad, the financial services arm of the Hong Leong Group. Apart from banking, Hong Leong Financial Group is involved in the provision of insurance and takaful, as well as investment banking, unit trust, fund management and stock broking services.
Media Contacts:
Viacom International Media Networks
Adeline Ong, Senior Director, Corporate Communications, Asia
t: (65) 6420 7240 m: (65) 9366 7323
e:
adeline.ong@vimn.com
Twitter: @VIMNAsia_PR
Loh Bi Feng, Executive, Corporate Communications, Asia
t: (65) 6420 7154 m: (65) 9002 9607
e:
loh.bifeng@vimn.com
Edelman on behalf of Viacom International Media Networks:
Christopher de Cruz, Edelman Kuala Lumpur
t: (603) 2287 8689 ext 221 m: (60) 12 8488 149
e:
christopher.decruz@edelman.com
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