VIDEO: McDonald's(R) Launches Cross-Country Latin Music Celebration

VIDEO: McDonald's(R) Launches Cross-Country Latin Music Celebration

Fiesta Tour McDonald's(R) Music Experience, Latin GRAMMY(R) In The Schools, Latin GRAMMY(R) Street Parties(TM) & Sweepstakes Highlight the

OAK BROOK, Ill., Sept. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- McDonald's(R) will be celebrating Latin music in schools and communities across the country throughout the coming year through a major new program that includes four exciting elements. The new initiative includes the Fiesta Tour McDonald's Music Experience, a traveling music exhibit showcasing memorabilia from a variety of Latino artists; the Latin GRAMMY(R) In The Schools program which provides an educational and cultural learning experience for participating high school students; the Latin GRAMMY(R) Street Parties(TM) featuring performances from established and emerging Latin music artists; and a national sweepstakes that will send winners to the 9th Annual Latin GRAMMY(R) Awards in Houston.

To view the Multimedia News Release, go to: http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/mcdonalds/35110/

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080926/NY35397 )

"The Fiesta Tour McDonald's Music Experience is a year-long celebration of Latin music that will reach thousands of fans across the country," said Cristina Vilella, Director, U.S Marketing, McDonald's. "We are happy to return as a major sponsor of this year's 9th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards and to build on our past Latin music initiatives with new and expanded elements that are sure to strike a chord with Latin music lovers nationally."

This year, McDonald's will serve as presenting sponsor of the Latin GRAMMY In the Schools Program, a unique education initiative that will be held at a high school in New York, Chicago, Miami, Los Angeles and Dallas. Through this program, a panel of music industry experts and musicians will visit the schools to talk about the importance of Latin music and offer advice on career opportunities in the music industry. Students will also tour the Fiesta Tour McDonald's music exhibit.

"The Latin Recording Academy(R) is thrilled to have McDonald's as a presenting sponsor of the 9th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards, and recognizes its efforts to support initiatives that bring Latin music to fans through the Latin GRAMMY Street Parties, the Fiesta Tour McDonald's(R) and the McDonald's 9th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards Sweepstakes," said Gabriel Abaroa, President of The Latin Recording Academy.

The Fiesta Tour McDonald's is a traveling 50-plus foot exhibit that includes a walk-through display of unique artifacts and memorabilia loaned by Latin musicians organized by decades, from the 1940's to the present. The Fiesta Tour McDonald's will make its way across the United States stopping at each of the five Latin GRAMMY Street Parties beginning September 28th, and then will be on display at 40 other Hispanic events through November 2009. This year's exhibit features artifacts from some of Latin music's greatest stars including Celia Cruz, Ricky Martin, Daddy Yankee, Alejandro Sanz, Gloria Estefan, Cristian Castro, Beto Cuevas, Carlos Vives, and Ivy Queen just to name a few.

The Fiesta Tour McDonald's features a live DJ and interactive dance area where visitors can show off their best moves and can also obtain information about the RMHC(R) /HACER(R) Scholarship Program and how to apply on www.meencanta.com. They will also have an opportunity to win premium items with a virtual spin the wheel game.

The Fiesta Tour McDonald's will visit the following Latin GRAMMY Street Parties:

Date City Location

September 28th Union City, NJ Bergenline Avenue, off 32nd Street
between New York Ave. & Kennedy
Blvd.

October 5th Chicago Plaza Garibaldi

October 12th Miami West 16th Ave. between 37th & 41st
St., Hialeah

October 19th Los Angeles Olvera Street

October 26th Dallas Jefferson Street between Tyler &
North Llewellyn

(For additional events and locations visit www.meencanta.com)

The McDonald's 2008 Latin GRAMMY Awards Sweepstakes(R), will give ten grand prize winners a trip for two to attend the 9th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards in Houston on November 13th. The prize package includes round-trip airfare, hotel accommodations for a two-night, three-day stay in Houston and a $500 gift card. For more information about the McDonald's 9th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards sponsorship, log on to www.meencanta.com for updates, to download photos, and for much more Latin GRAMMY information.

McDonald's returns as a major sponsor of the 9th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards, airing live from The Toyota Center in Houston on November 13th from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. ET/PT (7 p.m. Central) on the Univision Network.

About McDonald's

McDonald's USA, LLC, is the leading foodservice provider in the United States serving a variety of wholesome foods made from quality ingredients to millions of customers every day. More than 80 percent of McDonald's 13,700 U.S. restaurants are independently owned and operated by local franchisees. For more information about McDonald's visit www.meencanta.com.

About The Latin Recording Academy(R)

The Latin Recording Academy is an International, membership-based organization comprised of Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking recording artists, musicians, songwriters, producers and other creative and technical recording professionals. The organization is dedicated to improving the quality of life and cultural condition for Latin music and its makers. In addition to producing the Latin GRAMMY Awards to honor excellence in the recorded arts and sciences, The Latin Recording Academy provides educational and outreach programs for the Latin music community. For more information about The Latin Recording Academy, please visit www.grammy.com.

About the Latin GRAMMY Street Parties

Produced by Eventus under the authorization of The Latin Recording Academy, the Latin GRAMMY Street Parties promote the creative spirit, diversity and artistic achievement of Latin music through a series of grassroot festivals featuring concerts and promotional activities in top US Hispanic Markets. In 2008, the Street Parties celebrate its sixth year anniversary.

Note: GRAMMY(R), Latin GRAMMY(R), the Latin GRAMMY logo and Latin GRAMMY Street Parties are brands property of The Recording Academy.

Photo: AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
Source: McDonald's

CONTACT: Cristina Alfaro of McDonald's, +1-630-623-6432,
cristina.alfaro@mcd.us.com; or Anna Garcia of Valencia, Perez & Echebeste,
+1-626-403-3200 ext. 209, anna@vpepr.com, for McDonald's

Web Site: http://www.grammy.com/
http://www.meencanta.com/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com

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