VH1 Creates a New Foursquare Badge for Music Lovers and Provides Fans With Valuable Tips About Live Music Venues Across the Country

VH1's 'Unlock It to Rock It Sweepstakes' Gives Fans The Chance to Win VIP Access for a Year of Unlimited Shows at a Participating Music Venue

NEW YORK, July 26, 2010 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ --

Starting today, music lovers can earn the 'VH1 Fanatic Badge,' a new foursquare badge that concert-goers can earn by following VH1 on foursquare at foursquare.com/vh1. Using foursquare's GPS-enabled application on their mobile devices, users can check-in at over 10,000 music venues in the foursquare database, including rock clubs and concert halls nationwide. Users will be able to unlock the 'VH1 Fanatic Badge' and gain entry into 'VH1's Unlock It To Rock It Sweepstakes,' running from July 22, 2010 through Sunday, October 10, 2010, for the chance to win VIP access to unlimited concerts for a year at a participating venue.

In addition, users can access exclusive music tips from artists such as Grammy® Award-winning, R&B sensation Kelly Rowland, the band 'Civil Twilight',artist 'Secondhand Serenade,' pop artist 'Shontelle,' VH1 You Oughta Know artists Taylor Locke from the band 'Rooney,' Casey from the band 'Alpha Rev,' Angel Taylor and VH1's "Top 20 Video Countdown" host Jim Shearer, as well as follow the latest music trends as VH1 checks in at popular music venues around the country.

VH1 will also be on-the-ground as a media partner of Lollapalooza at Chicago's Grant Park this August where all stages of the music festival will be available as check-in points on foursquare.

Followers of VH1 on foursquare will continue to gain access to tips and check in locations from celebrities and talent from VH1 series, such as football superstar and star of VH1's "The T.O. Show," Terrell Owens; TLC beauty and star of VH1's "What Chilli Wants," Rozonda 'Chilli' Thomas and R&B diva and star of VH1's "Fantasia For Real," Fantasia.

"VH1 is the music source for adults on all of our platforms, so we are excited to extend that strength into the social media world with the new VH1 music badge on foursquare," said Nigel Cox-Hagan, Executive Vice President, Creative Group & Consumer Marketing, VH1.

"The 'VH1 Fanatic Badge' and 'VH1 Unlock it to Rock it Sweepstakes' are perfect ways for music fans everywhere to get tips from their favorite VH1 celebrities and insiders about music venues and upcoming concerts in their areas. There are so many amazing music venues in the US, and we want our audience to continue to support live music. By working with foursquare we are able to share a wide range of music knowledge about artists and venues in a fun, engaging way. "

About VH1

VH1 connects viewers to the music, artists and pop culture that matter to them most with TV series, specials, live events, exclusive online content and public affairs initiatives. VH1 is available in 95 million households in the U.S. VH1 also has an array of digital channels and services including VH1Classic, VH1 Soul, VH1 Mobile, VH1Games and extensive broadband video on VH1.com. Connect with VH1 at VH1.com.

About MTV Networks

MTV Networks, a division of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), is one of the world's leading creators of entertainment content, with brands that engage and connect diverse audiences across television, online, mobile, games, virtual worlds and consumer products. The company's portfolio spans more than 150 television channels and 400 digital media properties worldwide, and includes MTV, VH1, CMT, Logo, Harmonix, Nickelodeon, Nick at Nite, Nick Jr., TeenNick, AddictingGames, Shockwave, Neopets, COMEDY CENTRAL, SPIKE, TV Land, Atom, GameTrailers and Xfire.

About foursquare

Founded in 2009, foursquare creates mobile phone applications that are designed to make cities easier to use and more interesting to explore. Foursquare combines friend finder functionality with social city guide elements, and uses game mechanics to reward people for seeking out new experiences. Visit http://foursquare.com/ for more information.

About Lollapalooza

Lollapalooza was created in 1991 by Jane's Addiction front man Perry Farrell. Originally conceived as a farewell tour for Jane's Addiction, Lollapalooza quickly became the defining musical and cultural event of the Alternative Rock movement in the 1990's. Redefined as a single-city destination event in 2005, Lollapalooza is now one of the largest music festivals in the world, drawing over 225,000 attendees each August to its new home in Chicago's historic Grant Park. The 2010 Lollapalooza lineup includes Soundgarden, Green Day, Lady Gaga, Arcade Fire, The Strokes, Phoenix, and over 120 other bands. Visit www.Lollapalooza.comfor more information.

SOURCE VH1