Yuna & Boys Republic Bakal Perform di MTV World Stage Malaysia 2014

Save the date, reshuffle your appointments and start planning your trip to Sunway Resort City, Kuala Lumpur, because it is the place to be – come August! MTV, a unit of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA), has officially announced that MTV World Stage Malaysia is back for the sixth-year running.

Recorded live for global telecast, the one-night-only outdoor concert is set to take place at Surf Beach, Sunway Lagoon on Saturday, 16 August 2014. MTV Asia also announced the first two artists gracing the MTV World Stage for the first time – homegrown international singer-songwriter, Yuna; and Universal Music Group International’s first K-pop idol group, Boys Republic, with additional performers to be announced at a later date. MTV VJs Alan and Hanli will again be hosting this year’s concert.

“Malaysia has emerged as a major music and entertainment destination for epic concerts and a key stop for international stars visiting the region in recent years with MTV World Stage Malaysia being a part of this scene in the last six years,” said Paras Sharma, Vice President of MTV, Comedy Central and Digital Media, Asia, Viacom International Media Networks. “We can’t wait to share the stage with the world on August 16th, when one of the biggest nights in music happens in Kuala Lumpur. Stay tuned as additional performers will be announced at a later date!”

[pullquote]MTV WORLD STAGE MALAYSIA 2014 REVEALS FIRST WAVE OF ARTISTS WITH ITS RETURN ON 16 AUGUST 2014. HOMEGROWN INTERNATIONAL STAR YUNA AND RISING K-POP IDOL GROUP BOYS REPUBLIC TO TAKE THE MTV WORLD STAGE FOR THE FIRST TIME. BROADEST SUITE OF SPONSORS YET IN SHOW’S 6TH YEAR WITH SUNWAY, XPAX, JOHNSON & JOHNSON VISION CARE, HONG LEONG BANK AND WILLIAM GRANT & SONS; WITH SUPPORTING PARTNER TOURISM MALAYSIA.[/pullquote]

Set to welcome an expected live audience of about 15,000 fans, MTV World Stage Malaysia 2014 is sponsored by Sunway, Xpax, Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Hong Leong Bank and William Grant & Sons, and supported by Tourism Malaysia, local broadcast partner, Astro, and local radio partner, hitz.fm.

The announcement was triggered by MTV fans following an Unlock #worldstagemy campaign that was first shared on 27 May through MTV’s social media platforms, hitz.fm and with bloggers. Fans successfully unlocked the announcement details on Tuesday, 27 May, which quickly gathered a frenzy of over 15,000 tweets over six hours. Not only did #worldstagemy top trend in Malaysia, but it also listed as one of the top ten trends worldwide.

MTV World Stage is a global series that bring multi-genre talents with global relevance, telecast to an audience in over 550 million households. Recorded ‘live’ at the most exclusive gigs, world renowned music festivals and unique concert locations from around the world, the series is the ‘front row seat’ for music lovers to experience the biggest artists on the globe without leaving the comfort of their sofas. MTV World Stage Malaysia is part of this platform that delivers the MTV brand experience not only on the ground with MTV fans in Malaysia, but with a global airing in 154 countries across MTV Networks. The Malaysia show is also MTV’s first originally-produced MTV World Stage event globally, which started in 2009.

Last year, MTV World Stage Live in Malaysia 2013, which welcomed a whopping 15,000 fans, brought the award-winning and multi-platinum artist, Robin Thicke, along with explosive international sensations, Far East Movement. The concert also featured 12-member K-Pop super group, EXO, and Malaysian Hip Hop pioneer, Joe Flizzow.

YUNA

[dropcap] I[/dropcap] n a remarkably short period of time, Yuna has risen from a shy, YouTube sensation to full-on international stardom. In the process, the unique singer-songwriter has become the first artist in Malaysia to break into the American market. The ease with which Yuna has transitioned to border defying mainstream success should not be surprising, considering the effortlessly universal appeal of her organic blend of contemporary pop, acoustic folk and soulful R&B.

Yuna experienced success early on, with a quartet of popular indie releases in Malaysia, beginning with her self-titled 2008 EP. That debut disc became a major seller at home, producing the hit single “Deeper Conversation.” The following year, Yuna won the first of several Anugerah Industri Muzik awards, Malaysia’s equivalent of the Grammy. During the same period, the artist also found time to attend law school and open IAMJETFUEL, a successful women’s clothing boutique.

Yuna’s latest album, Nocturnal, was recorded in Los Angeles and marks a major step forward for her. Nocturnal’s 11 sparkling new originals include the warmly intoxicating first single “Falling”, produced by Robin Hannibal of Quadron and the soul-pop group Rhye; the breezy, upbeat “I Wanna Go,” produced by rocker Mike Einziger of iconic modern rock band, Incubus.

Previously, Yuna had worked with man-of-the-moment, Pharrell Williams who produced her hit single, “Live Your Life”.

Yuna’s North American breakthrough saw the artist winning widespread acclaim while achieving several significant career milestones – Rolling Stone magazine praised her combination of “certified indie cred and massive pop potential”, while The New York Times described her music as “gorgeous”. She performed high-profile sets at the hugely renowned Lollapalooza and Coachella festivals, and has appeared on shows of popular personalities such as Jimmy Kimmel and Jay Leno.

For more information on Yuna, visit www.yunamusic.com.

BOYS REPUBLIC

[dropcap] G[/dropcap] rowing rapidly into one of the most popular K-pop boy bands in the region, Boys Republic is a group produced by Universal Music Group and Jung Hae Ik, who also helped produce first generation idols like H.O.T., S.E.S. and g.o.d. The five-member boy group consists of One Junn, Da Bin, Sung Jun, Min Su and Su Woong.

Boys Republic has been in Universal Music Korea’s pipeline for almost two years until their debut in 2013. The multi-talented boy group was trained in diverse genres of music. Top Korean producer and composer, Keun Tae Park, who has written songs for IU and Ji Young Baek, was appointed as chief music adviser for the group. To ensure strong international appeal, not only did Keun Tae collaborate with Dsign Music, the Norwegian team that wrote for Girls’ Generation, TVXQ and EXO, but the boys have also trained in singing, dancing, acting and the languages and cultures of other countries.

When Boys Republic released their debut single last June, “Party Rock” along with its music video, the chart-topping song peaked at #1 on iTunes single charts in Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand in 2013. Their song “You Are Special” also peaked at #1 on KKBOX Chart in Malaysia in 2013. Their latest single, “Video Game” made #1 on Dwango K-POP daily chart in Japan in 2014.

Since then, the promising K-pop idol group has risen quickly to stardom as Boys Republic was declared “Best New Artist” at the 20th Korean Entertainment & Art Awards 2013. The boys were selected as both Jeju Air’s PR Ambassador for 2013 and as Korean Youth Association Ambassador. Additionally, the group has also appeared on SBS MTV in a special eight-episode feature, “Best New Artist, Boys Republic”, which aired June-July 2013.

Boys Republic returns for their second performance in Malaysia. Voted by fans to close the U.O.X. 2013 in Malaysia, the popular group was the only Korean artist invited for the event.

WIN MTV WORLD STAGE CONCERT PASSES

MTV World Stage passes are not for sale and may be won by fans through game contests that will open on 16 June. Details will be announced in the coming weeks.

NEWS UPDATES ON SOCIAL MEDIA

In the weeks ahead, fans can get direct information by following MTV Asia on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for news updates on MTV World Stage Malaysia 2014.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/mtvasia

Twitter: www.twitter.com/mtvasia

Hashtag: #worldstagemy

Instagram: mtvasia

MTV WORLD STAGE MALAYSIA 2014 SPONSORS’ NOTES

SUNWAY

“Sunway and Viacom’s partnership has gotten off to a fantastic start this year with the strategic collaboration to launch the first Nickelodeon-themed attraction in Asia by March 2015. And what better way to continue Sunway Group’s 40th anniversary celebrations this year than with the return of the global premier music event MTV World Stage Malaysia, which needs no further introduction in Malaysia and in the region! It’s that time of the year again for music fans to unite and show their love for Malaysian and international artists on a single platform and we’re thrilled for Sunway Resort City to be the music destination for everyone to have fun,” said Tan Sri Dr. Jeffrey Cheah, Founder and Chairman, Sunway Group.

XPAX

“This year marks the seventh year Xpax is partnering with MTV, which clearly demonstrates that we’ve seen our brand appeal more with our youth audience through MTV World Stage Malaysia. We’re thrilled to continue sharing this concert experience with our customers, who are tapped into the pulse of their mobile lifestyles with Xpax – personifying youthful exuberance whilst empowering the young at heart in experiencing the once-in-a-lifetime feeling of being able to own the day and night at the most anticipated music event of the year,” said En. Zalman Aefendy Zainal Abidin, Chief Marketing Officer of Celcom Axiata Berhad.

TOURISM MALAYSIA

“In 2009, Tourism Malaysia hosted the first originally-produced MTV World Stage here in Malaysia, which help to position the country firmly on the world entertainment map. This is the reason we are partnering with MTV again to promote music tourism in Malaysia. Since then, we have welcomed international and K-pop artists like Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, 30 Seconds to Mars, Robin Thicke, Far East Movement, EXO, and Jay Park, to name a few. We have also welcomed fans who have travelled across Malaysia and the region to celebrate the best music entertainment from these artists, while being reminded that Malaysia remains a great place to visit,” said Dato’ Mirza Mohammad Taiyab, the Director General of Tourism Malaysia.

HONG LEONG BANK BERHAD

“The MTV-Hong Leong Credit Card is proud to be associated with MTV World Stage Malaysia 2014, touted to be one of the world’s renowned music festivals. In conjunction with the upcoming concert, MTV credit cardholders will stand a chance to own a pair of exclusive MTV World Stage passes, which are not sold to the public. Our privileged card members will get to witness their favourite idols performing live,” said Genista Tan, GM Credit Cards.

WILLIAM GRANT & SONS

“Sailor Jerry is a straight-up no nonsense classic that embodies authenticity and originality in all forms. It has a long history of celebrating musicians who march to their own beat,” said Ying Zhi Lee, Regional Brand Manager, Sailor Jerry. “There’s a great synergy in being part of an event that showcases so much talent from around the world, and we’re looking to rock up to our first year in a big way with specially created cocktails, branded activations and an awesome after party for VIPs, which will showcase other premium spirits like Reyka Vodka, Hendrick’s Gin, Monkey Shoulder, Milagro, Glenfiddich and Grant’s.”

About MTV

MTV is the world’s premier youth entertainment brand. With a global reach of more than a half-billion households, MTV is the cultural home of the millennial generation, music fans and artists, and a pioneer in creating innovative programming for young people. MTV reflects and creates pop culture with its award-winning content built around compelling storytelling, music discovery and activism across TV, online and mobile. Outside of the United States, MTV is part of Viacom International Media Networks, a division of Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), one of the world’s leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. For more information about MTV in Southeast Asia, visit www.mtvasia.com.

About Viacom International Media Networks

Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN), a unit of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), is comprised of many of the world’s most popular multimedia entertainment brands, including MTV, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, BET, Paramount Channel, VH1, VIVA, COLORS, Game One and Tr3s: MTV, Música y Más. Viacom brands are seen globally in more than 600 million households in 170 territories and 37 languages via more than 200 locally programmed and operated TV channels and more than 550 digital media and mobile TV properties. For more information about Viacom and its businesses, visit www.viacom.com. Keep up with Viacom news by following Viacom’s blog at blog.viacom.com and Twitter feed at www.twitter.com/Viacom.

About Sunway Resort City

Sprawling 800 acres, Sunway Resort City is an engineering tour de force which has garnered global recognition, and is certified by Green Building Index as Malaysia’s first green township. Located just 20 minutes from the nation’s capital of Kuala Lumpur, Sunway Resort City is flanked by over seven million square feet of world class facilities, and attracts some 40 million visitations every year. It comprises an enviable portfolio of more than 10,000 residential, and commercial units, in addition to the multi award-winning hospitality, retail, leisure, healthcare and education components. Today Sunway Resort City remains as one of Southeast Asia’s most important and preferred tourist destinations. Sunway Resort City is the first township in the country to clinch the coveted The Edge Outstanding Property Project Award 2013, presented by one of Malaysia’s most authoritative publications. It is also the proud winner of the critically acclaimed FIABCI Prix d’Excellence Award, among other highly regarded accolades.

An ingenious creation of Sunway Group, Sunway Resort City brims with life, unending vitality and a flourishing ecology. Sunway Group, established in 1974 as a tin-mining company, has now thrived to become one of Malaysia’s most formidable property-construction groups, with a multitude of established businesses in more than 40 locations worldwide. Global consulting firm Frost & Sullivan has named Sunway- Malaysia’s Builder of the Year 2014 in the “Best of the Best” category. Sunway Group comprises 12 business divisions namely Property, Construction, Hospitality, Retail, Leisure, Commercial, Trading & Manufacturing, Building Materials, Quarry, Healthcare, Education and Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT).

About Sunway Lagoon

Sunway Lagoon is truly one of a kind. Step inside and you’ll discover a magical kingdom of pure fun and excitement. Experience the wonders of over 80 rides and attractions spread across its 5 parks – Water Park, Amusement Park, Extreme Park, Wildlife Park and Scream Park. True to its ‘Asia’s Best Attraction’ fame, the multi-park is also home to the World’s First Waterplexx 5D and also World’s Largest Water Ride – Vuvuzela, its latest attraction to date. Open daily from 10.00am to 6.00pm, other worthy attractions include the World’s Largest Man-Made Sandy Surf Beach, Malaysia’s First Interactive Zoo, Asia’s Longest Flying Fox Trail, Lynton V Harris’ Scream Park – a live interactive ‘scare’ attraction and one of the Longest Pedestrian Suspension Bridges in Malaysia. Visit www.sunwaylagoon.com.my for more information about Sunway Lagoon.

About Xpax

Xpax is Celcom Axiata Berhad’s main prepaid brand, representing more than half of Celcom’s 10.2 million prepaid subscribers. Xpax offers the best value with freebies of up to 30 calls and 10 hours of Facebook every day. Xpax members only need to make 3 domestic calls to enjoy these fantastic freebies every-day, all-day, all- night. For further information, visit www.xpax.com.my.

About Tourism Malaysia

Tourism Malaysia is an agency under the Ministry of Tourism & Culture, Malaysia. Tourism Malaysia focuses on the specific task of promoting Malaysia at all levels. Since its inception, Tourism Malaysia has grown by leaps and bounds and it has emerged as a major player in the international tourism scene. In 2012, Malaysia registered 25 million tourist arrivals and RM60.6 billion in tourist receipts, placing the country firmly as the 10th most popular tourism destination in the world.

In 2014, Malaysia celebrates its fourth VISIT MALAYSIA YEAR (VMY) with the theme “Celebrating 1Malaysia Truly Asia”. The VMY 2014 promotional campaign has started this year with a series of year-long special events and activities leading to VMY 2014. It will contribute to the Government’s target to receive 36 million tourist arrivals and RM168 billion in receipts by 2020, as outlined in the Malaysia Tourism Transformation Plan (MTTP) 2020.

About Hong Leong Bank Berhad

Hong Leong Bank Berhad is one of the leading financial services organisations in Malaysia. With a heritage of more than 100 years, it provides comprehensive financial services covering consumer banking, business banking and trade finance, treasury, branch and transaction banking, wealth management, private banking and Islamic financial services. Its merger with EON Bank Group in 2011 has further embedded its position as a core banking franchise with an expanded distribution network of more than 300 branches across the country.

With a proven track record in value creation and a highly recognised brand, Hong Leong Bank has also been extending its footprint in the region, with branches in Singapore and Hong Kong and a wholly owned subsidiary in Vietnam and Cambodia. In China, the Bank has a 20% shareholding in Bank of Chengdu Co., Ltd., Sichuan and a consumer finance joint venture.

Hong Leong Bank is a subsidiary of Hong Leong Financial Group Berhad, the financial services arm of the Hong Leong Group. Apart from banking, Hong Leong Financial Group is involved in the provision of insurance and takaful, as well as investment banking, unit trust, fund management and stock broking services.

Johnson & Johnson Vision Care

Johnson & Johnson is a company committed to transforming the world’s vision. Since the inception of its Vision Care division – it has strived to increase awareness of the importance of vision and eye care to provide healthier vision correction options. In embracing the company’s passion for the highest standards of quality, it has developed a range of innovative contact lenses to become the world leader in vision correction contact lenses. Johnson & Johnson Vision Care division, headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, is the maker of ACUVUE® Brand Contact Lenses – world leader in soft disposable contact lenses.

About Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum

Evoking the true spirit of the pioneering Tattoo Artist, Norman “Sailor Jerry” Collins, Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum is the authentic, premium, old-school spiced rum, a straight-up, no-nonsense, old-school spirit blended the way it should be – bold and smooth. The Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum is crafted with distillates from the finest Caribbeandistilleries &mdash selected, blended and spiced byWilliam Grant& Sons’ formidable blending team. The unique recipe of all-natural spices and flavours delivers a rich smooth taste characterized by top notes of vanilla and cinnamon. Since the rum was founded, the brand has been absolutely committed to sustaining authenticity and originality in all forms, supporting all walks of creative individuals who feel as strongly about the nature of their work just like its namesake did about his.

For more information on Sailor Jerry and its brands, click on www.sailorjerry.com.

About William Grant & Sons

William Grant & Sons is an award-winning independent family-owned distiller founded by William Grant in 1886. Today, the luxury spirits company is run by the fifth generation of his family and distils some of the world’s leading brands of Scotch whisky, including the world’s favourite single malt Glenfiddich, the handcrafted range of The Balvenie single malts and Grant’s blended whisky, as well as selected other spirits, including Hendrick’s Gin, Sailor Jerry, Monkey Shoulder and Reyka Vodka.

Click on www.williamgrant.com for more information on the Company and its brands.

About Universal Music Group

Universal Music Group is the global music leader, with wholly owned operations in 60 territories. Its businesses also include Universal Music Publishing Group, one of the industry’s premier music publishing operations worldwide. Universal Music Group’s record labels include A&M/Octone, Angel, Astralwerks, Blue Note, Capitol Records, Decca, Def Jam Recordings, Deutsche Grammophon, Disa, Emarcy, Fonovisa, Geffen Records, Interscope Records, I.R.S., Island Records, Lost Highway Records, Machete Music, Manhattan, MCA Nashville, Mercury Nashville, Mercury Records, Motown Records, Polydor Records, Republic Records, Universal Music Latino, Verve Music Group and Virgin Records, as well as a multitude of record labels owned or distributed by its record company subsidiaries around the world. The Universal Music Group owns the most extensive catalogue of music in the industry, which includes the last 100 years of the world’s most popular artists and their recordings. UMG’s catalogue is marketed through two distinct divisions, Universal Music Enterprises (in the U.S.) and Universal Strategic Marketing (outside the U.S.). Universal Music Group also includes Global Digital Business, its new media and technologies division and Bravado, its merchandising company.

Universal Music Group is a fully owned subsidiary of Vivendi.