CBS Interactive Named the Official Online Partner for The Recording Academy(R) and the GRAMMY(R) Awards

CBS Interactive Named the Official Online Partner for The Recording Academy(R) and the GRAMMY(R) Awards

NEW YORK, Jan. 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- CBS Interactive has been named the official online partner of The Recording Academy(R) to distribute GRAMMY(R)-related assets.

As part of a new two-year agreement, CBS Interactive will develop online programming, communities and promotions around the GRAMMY brand and the annual awards show broadcast. GRAMMY-related content will be distributed across the company's vast network of online, wireless and digital platforms - including CBS.com, CBS Audience Network, CBS Mobile and Last.fm, among others.

Content being developed for THE 50TH ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS on Feb. 10 (8:00-11:30 PM, live ET/delayed PT) on the CBS Television Network includes a live online, pre-show special with talent arrivals and interviews from the Red Carpet; a live stream of the GRAMMY pre-telecast ceremony on CBS.com and GRAMMY.com; a radio widget from Last.fm that will feature a nostalgic look back at the GRAMMY Song of the Year category, including the ability to listen to past winners; and online content for "My GRAMMY Moment" 2008, where unsigned instrumentalists have the opportunity to vie for a performance slot with the current five-time GRAMMY-nominated rock band Foo Fighters.

There will also be behind-the-scenes GRAMMY rehearsal footage and a video online countdown featuring background on nominees and predictions for various GRAMMY categories leading up to the broadcast.

CBS Interactive will use this content -- along with other GRAMMY assets such as classic video clips, photos and other event coverage -- to create an online community for music lovers to congregate. As part of the community, music fans will be able to share their own favorite GRAMMY moments, their personal musical experiences, discuss their favorite songs and concerts and have a place to gather together and talk about music.

"There are only a few annual tent pole events that a media organization can count on to drive traffic, business, buzz and community activity," said Joe Ferreira, Senior Vice President, General Manager, CBS Audience Network. "The GRAMMYs is certainly one of those events, and CBS Interactive is proud to embark upon this new digital alliance and to further enhance the overall CBS/GRAMMYs relationship that has been built for decades."

"The GRAMMY Awards have enjoyed a tremendously successful and collaborative partnership with the CBS Network for many years. This ambitious next step together represents a powerful way to expand the reach and impact of the GRAMMY brand across today's digital landscape," said Evan Greene, Chief Marketing Officer of The Recording Academy.

About CBS Interactive and the CBS Audience Network

CBS Interactive, a division of CBS Corporation, oversees all CBS consumer Interactive properties including CBS.com, CBSSports.com, CBSNews.com, CBS Mobile, CBS EyeLab, Last.fm and Wallstrip and the CBS Audience Network. Aiming to be the most widely distributed professional content on the web, the CBS Audience Network complements the best news, entertainment and sports content with original programming and short-form content and provides an all-embracing opportunity for users to incorporate CBS clips into their profiles, websites, blogs, widgets, wikis and community pages. The CBS Audience Network consists of online partners such as AOL, Microsoft, CNET Networks, Comcast, Joost, Bebo, Netvibes, Sling Media and Veoh and social application partners including Automattic, Brightcove, Clearspring, DAVE Networks, Goowy Media, meebo, MeeVee, Musestorm, Ning, RockYou!, Slide, VideoEgg, Voxant and vSocial as well as websites from CBS's 29 owned television, 144 radio, and up to 183 affiliated stations.

About The Recording Academy

Established in 1957, The Recording Academy is an organization of musicians, producers, engineers and recording professionals that is dedicated to improving the cultural condition and quality of life for music and its makers. Internationally known for the GRAMMY Awards - the preeminent peer- recognized award for musical excellence and the most credible brand in music - The Recording Academy is responsible for groundbreaking professional development, cultural enrichment, advocacy, education and human services programs. In its 50th year, The Academy continues to focus on its mission of recognizing musical excellence, advocating for the well-being of music makers and ensuring music remains an indelible part of our culture. For more information about The Academy, please visit www.grammy.com.

THE 50TH ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS are produced by John Cossette Productions and AEG Ehrlich Ventures for The Recording Academy. Ken Ehrlich and John Cossette are executive producers, Walter C. Miller is producer/director, Tisha Fein is the coordinating producer and Tzvi Small is supervising producer.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact: KJorgensen@cbs.com

Source: CBS Corporation

CONTACT: Phil Gonzales, +1-323-575-2028, phil.gonzales@tvc.cbs.com,
Shannon Jacobs, +1-212-975-3161, sljacobs@cbs.com, both of CBS; Barb Deghan of
The Recording Academy, +1-310-392-3777, barbd@grammy.com

Web site: http://www.grammy.com/

Company News On-Call:

http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/185007.html

-------
Profile: intent