Reggaeton News:
Verizon Wireless and Univision Online Team Up to Discover the Next Reggaeton
Superstar
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BBEDMINSTER, N.J. and LOS ANGELES, Nov. 8 /PRNewswire/
-- Verizon Wireless, operator of the nation's most reliable wireless
network, and Univision Online, home of Univision.com and Univision Movil,
are teaming up to discover the next Reggaeton superstar. Verizon Wireless
is the exclusive sponsor of "Estrellas del Futuro/Reggaeton,"
a weekly talent competition searching for the next star of Reggaeton.
The segments will air on Sabado Gigante on the Univision Network and
will be integrated with exclusive content from Univision Movil and interactive
coverage on Univision.com.
Starting today, Verizon Wireless customers with V CAST-enabled phones
will be able to get exclusive "Estrellas del Futuro/Reggaeton"
content, including video and sound highlights featuring the best performances
and contestant interviews. V CAST from Verizon Wireless is the nation's
first and only wireless broadband multimedia service for consumers that
brings high-quality video, 3D games and music videos straight to hot
new phones.
Verizon Wireless customers can download "Estrellas del Futuro/Reggaeton"
exclusive finalists' true tone ring tones, voice tones and wallpapers
provided by Univision Movil and available through Get It Now(R), Verizon
Wireless' virtual store. Get It Now customers can download applications
over the air and purchase them directly from their phones. Virtual shopping
aisles, including getGAMES, getTONES, getGOING, getPIX, getFUN and getMESSAGING,
are organized to help customers find what they want, when they want
it.
Reggaeton blends Jamaican dancehall reggae, salsa, Dominican merengue,
Puerto Rican bomba, and rap music to produce a unique new musical experience.
Daddy Yankee, Don Omar and Tego Calderon are the best-known Reggaeton
superstars behind this new music genre.
"Reggaeton is eclectic, multicultural and multilingual, energetic,
passionate and daring, just like the young new generation of U.S. Latinos
that are embracing the movement and propelling it forward," said
Oscar Madrid, director of multicultural marketing, Verizon Wireless.
"We are excited about partnering with the Univision Network and
Univision Online to forge closer ties with this new generation of trendsetting
Latino consumers that are proudly expressing their identity by creating
and supporting a new and evolving music genre that is quickly making
its way to the mainstream."
"Our relationship with Verizon Wireless showcases the exciting
and extensive possibilities of cross platform integration," said
Javier Saralegui, President, Univision Online. "The combination
of the nation's most reliable wireless provider with all of Univision's
media properties gives way to the creation of new and original content
with unprecedented opportunities to reach the Hispanic market."
To get V CAST from Verizon Wireless, customers can equip their V CAST-
enabled phones with the V CAST VPak for $15.00 monthly access added
to their Verizon Wireless calling plan. Unlimited basic video clips
are included, but application download fees apply for 3D games and premium
video. There are no airtime charges to download, stream or watch V CAST
content.
Along with the exclusive "Estrellas del Futuro/Reggaeton"
content on V CAST, Verizon Wireless customers can share their love of
Reggaeton music with callers by purchasing Ringback Tones -- music that
is played for callers instead of the traditional ring -- featuring Reggaeton
stars like Zion y Lennox and Voltio. Verizon Wireless customers can
find out how by visiting http://www.verizonwireless.com/ringback or
sign-up right from their TXT Messaging- capable phones. Sign-up is easy.
Send the TXT Message"RBT" to address "728." Reply
to accept the service and send the TXT Message "List" to "728"
to receive a list of Ringback Tones available for purchase. A list of
song ID codes will be sent to the phone as a TXT Message and customers
can purchase a Ringback Tone by sending the song ID code as a TXT Message
to "728." Standard text messaging rates apply.
Reggaeton fans can also enter a sweepstakes, sponsored by Verizon Wireless,
via text-messaging on Univision Movil or through Univision.com. The
winner will win two tickets to the "Estrellas del Futuro/Reggaeton"
finale in Miami on November 18, 2005, including airfare and accommodations.
All fans need to do is send a TXT Message with the words: "Gana"
to code number: 7888 (more details about the contest are available on
http://www.univision.com, uniclave (keyword): "Estrellas").
Fans can also sign-up to receive the hottest gossip on the contestants
via TXT Alerts, participate in trivia, polls and more.
"Estrellas del Futuro/Reggaeton" is broadcast as a major segment
within"Sabado Gigante" ("Gigantic Saturday"), the
longest-running variety show in television history that continues to
bring viewers three hours of non-stop entertainment every Saturday night
with legendary host "Don Francisco." As part of the agreement,
Verizon Wireless is now the exclusive wireless provider of "Sabado
Gigante" and receives on-air mentions by "Don Francisco"
and other show personalities.
The V CAST exclusive "Estrellas del Futuro/Reggaeton" content
can be accessed in the V CAST Showcase channel by clicking on the Univision
section. For more information about Verizon Wireless products and services,
visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN
or go to http://www.verizonwireless.com.
.
