National Grand Prize Winner for MuchMusic USA’s
‘Class Dismissed’ Contest Announced
Monrovia, CA – April 29, 2002 – Students in Monrovia, California were shocked and rocked on Friday as the Goo Goo Dolls patrolled the halls of Monrovia High School and played a surprise concert for the student body. The surprise visit and concert was part of MuchMusic USA’s announcement that Kevin Stephens, age 17 years old, was the national grand prizewinner of its “Class Dismissed” contest.
“The Goo Goo Dolls are one of the world’s premier music groups and MuchMusic USA was excited to connect them to one of their biggest fans,” said MuchMusic USA President Marc Juris. “This national contest received an overwhelming response across the country for one reason – it gave viewers a voice. At MuchMusic USA we pride ourselves on being the only viewer driven all music network and by using the web and empowering our viewers to create their own video we are continuing this goal.”
‘Class Dismissed’ is MuchMusic USA’s annual on-air on-line national contest that offered viewers nation-wide the ability to create and submit their own music video. This year, students from around the country logged on to MuchMusic USA’s web site at www.mmusa.tv — and used the site’s Viewer Made Video technology – to create and submit their own music video for the hit single “Slide” from the Goo Goo Doll’s album, Dizzy Up the Girl. Kevin’s homemade video was judged and voted on by fellow MuchMusic USA viewers and singled out as the best out of thousands of contestants around the country. As the grand prizewinner, Kevin Stephens received this personal visit and concert from the Goo Goo Dolls at his school. Last year, the winning concert of ‘Class Dismissed’ took place in a high school in Vermont with Alanis Morissette.
Without backpacks or even a pencil, but with guitars in hand, the Goo Goo Dolls showed up at Monrovia High to officially announce that Kevin Stephens had won MuchMusic USA’s national “Class Dismissed” contest. This surprise concert comes on the heels of the Goo Goo Dolls seventh studio album Gutterflower, which was just released by Warner Bros. Records. Produced by the band and longtime collaborator Rob Cavallo, the album debuted at #4 on the Billboard Top 200. The single “Here Is Gone” was the No. 1 added single on the modern rock, rock, Top 40 and adult alternative charts in its first week and still holds strong. Gutterflower follows their multi-platinum smash Dizzy Up The Girl, as well as the compilation What I Learned About Ego, Opinion, Art and Commerce released in 2001. Dizzy Up The Girl has sold over five million copies worldwide and spawned two No. 1 hits, “Iris” and “Slide” as well as three top ten singles, “Black Balloon,” “Dizzy” and “Broadway.”
Class Dismissed with the Goo Goo Dolls will air as part of a special on MuchMusic USA on June 27, 2002 at 9:00 p.m., ET. It is a one-hour show that will document the Goo Goo Dolls visit and performance for Kevin and Monrovia High School.
Along with the show and contest, ‘Class Dismissed’ with its interactivity, specifically promoted the use of high-speed web access, providing a special benefit to the cable operators, including the local Monrovia cable carrier Adelphia. To support these efforts, MuchMusic USA provided cable affiliates around the country with marketing packages that include customized cross-channel advertising spots highlighting the use of cable modems and digital tiers, point-of-purchase displays and in-market advertising slicks, radio spots, and direct mailing.
“The overwhelming national response to this interactive contest proves what great things can happen when networks provide value and listen to the needs of cable operators,” said MuchMusic USA’s Senior Vice President of Affiliate Sales Lisa Schwartz. “Our success can best be attributed to the 400 cable systems across the country who took advantage of this contest to help drive the demand for and adoption of cable modems and high-speed access from consumers. MuchMusic USA was happy to support these efforts from a programming and marketing standpoint and is striving to be an important partner in helping cable operators drive digital tier and high speed modem services.”
For media interested in speaking to MuchMusic USA President Marc Juris, contest winner Kevin Stephens, or local school contacts, please contact Matthew Frankel, (516) 803-5141 or Jocelyn Johnson, (917) 406-5886.
For media interested in getting more information on the Goo-Goo Dolls, please contact Luke Burland, Warner Bros. Records, (818) 953-3626.