(New York, N.Y, May 10, 2004) – If you want to be the next big thing in music, you need not only a great song, but a killer video to promote it to the masses. Now Fuse has teamed with Tower Records to give this opportunity for video stardom to bands across America with the Just Add Video contest.
Just Add Video is an extension upon Fuse and Tower Records' long-running promotion, "The Next Big Thing." Launched in June 2003, the promotion introduces music-lovers to the work of fresh, new artists. A selection of "Next Big Thing" artists is selected each month and their CDs are on sale at $9.99 or less and showcased in special end-cap displays at all 92 Tower Records' stores, in their national weekly circulars and on in-store listening stations. In September 2003, Fuse brought the popular project to life on its website, www.fuse.tv, and network with half-hour monthly series dedicated to introducing listeners to the music of these new artists called "Fuse Presents the Tower Records Next Big Thing Awards."
Artists who want the chance to get a professional quality video and key national broadcast exposure can enter by sending an MP3 or wmv file from the tune they would like made into a video (not to exceed 2 minutes and 5 MB) to the contest mini-site at either www.fuse.tv or at any Tower Records store nationwide. They also need to send along an MP4 video "self-portrait" of their band (not to exceed 1 minute and 5 MB). The call for entries is now open, with all submissions due by June 6, 2004.
Four finalist will be selected by a panel of music industry experts win an all-expenses paid trip to New York to appear live on Fuse, between July 12 – 15. From July 16 – July 23, viewers can go online at www.fuse.tv to cast their vote for the winner, which will be revealed at the close on a July 23 telecast. The winning band will return to Fuse on August 2 for a live performance that will be taped for use in the video to be directed by acclaimed music video director Bruce Dickson. The winning band's video will premiere on Fuse's new show, The Daily Download, and enter rotation on the network by mid-August.
"Just Add Video is a call to all rock-stars-in-the-making," adds Mary Corigliano, Vice President of Marketing of Fuse. "This contest is what Fuse is all about – creating a platform for new music and artists to reach our audience of passionate, dedicated music lovers."
"Hearing your favorite band for the first time makes your heart skip a beat states Russ Eisenman, Vice President of Marketing for Tower Records. "Discovering that band and spreading their gospel to our loyal customers is what we here at Tower Records dedicate ourselves to, day in and day out. "
About Fuse
Fuse, a network of Rainbow Media Holdings LLC., is the nation's only all-music, viewer-influenced television network, featuring music videos, exclusive artist interviews, live concerts and specials — all rooted in the music experience. Fuse reflects the rapidly changing interests and attitudes of its 12-34 year-old audience by uniting the media platforms that are at the center of their communication and entertainment – TV, online, and interactive games – and by incorporating their opinions and suggestions into its on-air and online programming. More information about Fuse is available at www.fuse.tv.
About Tower Records
Since 1960, Tower Records has been recognized and respected throughout the world for its unique brand of retailing. Founded in Sacramento CA by chairman Russ Solomon, the Company's growth over four decades has made Tower Records a household name. Tower Records stores are represented in fourteen countries throughout the world and in 218 different locations as wholly owned operations, licensees and affiliations. The company opened one of the first Internet music stores on America Online in June 1995 and followed a year later with the launch of Tower.com. The site was named among the top 50 retail websites by Internet Retailer magazine. Tower Records' commitment to providing its customers with a superior and specialized shopping experience is key to the organization's retail philosophy. Tower forges ahead with the development of exciting shopping environments, presenting diverse product ranges, artist performance stages, personal electronics departments, and digital centers. Tower Records maintains its commitment to providing the deepest selection of packaged and digital entertainment in the world merchandised in stores that celebrate the unique interests and needs of the local community.