MTV - Mexico selected for the 4TH annual MTV video music awards Latin America

Playa Del Carmen in the Mexican Caribbean Will Set the Stage

VMALAs will Air from Xcaret Park’s Great Tlachco Theater

Internationally Renowned Foo Fighters First Band to Join Performance Line-Up

Mexico City, May 11th, 2005 Pierluigi Gazzolo, Managing Director, MTV Networks Latin America announced today that Mexico will host the "MTV Video Music Awards Latin America 2005" (VMALAs) live from Playa del Carmen. This announcement marks the first time the show will travel to a new destination since its premier in 2002. The fourth annual MTV VMALAs will take place at Xcaret Park located in the Mexico Caribbean, one of the country’s most popular destinations.

Xcaret is not selling or promoting entrance tickets for the event, for ticket information visit mtvla.com, and because of the event the park would be closed that day

On Thursday, October 20th, the VMALAs ‘05 will air on MTV Latin America to more than 24 countries. In addition, it will be seen on various broadcast stations throughout Latin America; it will air on MTV and MTV2 in the US, reaching 80 million households; and it will have the potential to reach more than 418 million households in 164 territories across MTV’s channels worldwide.

“Since launching the VMALAs in 2002, we’ve always wanted to bring our flagship event into the region,” commented Gazzolo. “Mexico is one of our most important markets and we’re confident that it will be a wonderful host and a true representative of all that Latin America has to offer.”

In order to bring MTV Latin America’s most important franchise to Mexico, the network has established a promotional partnership with Mexico’s Promotion and Tourism Council. The entities’ joint efforts will ensure the success of the show while showing Mexico’s rich culture and country throughout the rest of Latin America, the United States and around the world.

Being in Mexico is going to take the creative elements of the show to a whole new level, added Charlie Singer, Executive Producer and EVP Programming and Creative & Strategic Marketing. The music scene is vibrant at all levels, the creative community is one of the most dynamic in the region and the rich cultural heritage is going to be extremely inspiring. In Mexico, we are guaranteed to have a lot of fun.”

"We are delighted MTV Networks Latin America has chosen Mexico to host its next MTV Video Music Awards Latin America", said Francisco Ortiz, CEO of the Mexico Tourism Board. "In addition to being in the top ranking among the world’s tourism destinations, Mexico is increasingly becoming the chosen destination for premier events of all genres, and we couldn’t be happier. I invite you to follow closely the 4th annual MTV Music Awards Latin America and to enjoy the natural beauty of Xcaret and all of the Riviera Maya which will provide the perfect scenery for the event and will showcase Mexico’s strength and magic.”

Mr. Félix González Canto, Governor of Quintana Roo, expressed the State Government’s satisfaction that “Quintana Roo was selected as the first destination for the VMALAs outside of the United States, to bring it to Playa del Carmen in the Riviera Maya, one of Mexico and the Caribbean’s most important tourist sites and a place that exemplifies the beauty of our country and our seas. By giving us the chance to host this event, MTV Networks Latin America also provides us with a very special and different window where to promote the state’s tourism and to share the warmth and hospitality of our people with more than 400 million homes,” he added.

Internationally renowned rock band Foo Fighters will perform live at the VMALAs ’05. Formed by ex-Nirvana’s Dave Grohl in 1995, the Foo Fighters will release its fifth album “In Your Honor” in June 2005, almost exactly after a decade from the release of the first Foo Fighters record. The double album includes a live acoustic CD with guest appearances by Norah Jones and Led Zeppelin’s John Paul Jones.

The “MTV Video Music Awards Latin America” reflects the music and attitude of youth in Latin America today. The show brings together a variety of regional Latin American pop and rock artists and international acts -- making it a truly unique music experience. Nominees for the VMALAs are selected by a “Music and Video Academy” comprised of music industry professionals and MTV executives. Winners for each category are chosen solely by viewers’ votes through MTV Latin America’s website www.MTVla.com. Details of the nominees and voting process will be announced in the future.

Occidental Grand Xcaret Riviera Maya, Occidental Royal Hideaway Riviera Maya and Occidental Allegro Resort Riviera Maya, will be the official hotel providers for the MTV Video Music Awards Latin America 2005.

Eco-archaeological Park Xcaret offers a unique glimpse into the region’s natural surroundings, and a nightly folkloric show transporting spectators through the fascinating history of Mexico.

Cancun, Riviera Maya, Cozumel, Isla Mujeres and Grand Costa Maya comprise the Mexican Caribbean, a world class multi-destination set in Quintana Roo, Mexico. The Mexican Caribbean is Mexico’s most important tourism center and one of the most well known in Latin America. It receives 11 million visitors a year, attracted by the unique beauty of its soft sand beaches, the majestic jungle that hides the Mayan World’s mysteries and a modern and sophisticated tourist infrastructure with more than 60 thousand hotel rooms, modern shopping malls and a wide gastronomic offer. The Mexican Caribbean is the world leader in cruise and diving tourism.

MTV has a long history of creating exciting music events with 20 locally-produced award shows annually around the world. Additional MTV award ceremonies include the MTV India Excellence Awards (India), MTV Russia Music Awards (Russia), Australia Video Music Awards (Australia), MTV Romania Music Awards (Romania), MTV India Style Awards (India), MTV China Style Awards (China), MTV Philippines Style Awards (Philippines), MTV Indonesia Movie Awards (Indonesia), MTV Video Music Awards Japan (Japan), MTV Asia Awards (Singapore), CCTV-MTV Mandarin Music Honors (China), MTV Philipinas (Philippines), MTV Penghargaan (Indonesia), MTV Europe Music Awards, Video Music Brasil Awards, TRL Awards (US), MTV Movie Awards (US), MTV Video Music Awards (US).

MTV Networks Latin America, Inc., a unit of Viacom International, owns and operates MTV Latin America, Nickelodeon Latin America, Nickelodeon Brazil, VH1 Latin America and the MTV Networks Digital Suite, a package of five digital services - MTV James, MTV Hits, VH1 Soul, VH1 Mega Hits and Nickelodeon’s GAS (Games and Sports for Kids).