FOX's 'TEEN CHOICE 2010' Special Launches Partnership With Mottola Co. & Planet Cazmo

NEW YORK, July 29 /PRNewswire/ -- The FOX Network and the TEEN CHOICE 2010 awards today announced a unique partnership with Planet Cazmo (http://www.planetcazmo.com) and entertainment mogul Tommy Mottola to create a custom Teen Choice online environment – "Virtual Teen Choice Beach Party" – that will be accessible via a link from the Teen Choice website (http://www.teenchoiceawards.com/tc-virtual.php).

Planet Cazmo, a leading creator of online virtual concerts with a global audience of 'tweens and teens, developed the first-of-its-kind integration between an award show and virtual world experience -- "Virtual Teen Choice Beach Party" – which will be available via a link for teens after voting online for TEEN CHOICE 2010, which airs Monday, August 9 (8:00 EST) on FOX.

The experience allows participants to create and customize avatars and virtual homes, make friends, chat, play games, dance with other party guests and purchase virtual goods, including the iconic Teen Choice Surfboard made famous by the awards show.

"We are excited to be working with Planet Cazmo and to have a customized virtual world for our site visitors to form communities, talk about the show, and extend the online experience," said Bob Bain, executive producer of TEEN CHOICE 2010.

The pairing of the virtual experience and TEEN CHOICE 2010 was developed through a partnership between Mottola's Mottola Company and Planet Cazmo aimed at providing strategic entertainment and brand relationships.  

"We are thrilled to be a part of TEEN CHOICE 2010 and to provide a 24/7 virtual environment for their millions of dedicated fans," said Mottola. "I applaud FOX and Bob Bain Productions for welcoming Planet Cazmo to this summer's television event."

Planet Cazmo has developed virtual events for major music and entertainment acts including American Idol's Jordin Sparks, David Archuleta, and Allison Iraheta, in addition to top-selling artists Jason Derulo, BoB, Weezer, Jay Sean, Natasha Bedingfield, Sean Kingston, Soulja Boy Tell 'Em, The Script, Metro Station, and others. Planet Cazmo put the first virtual concerts on Facebook earlier this year, as well as the first-of-its-kind online music benefit show in December, 2009, donating a week's worth of revenue to support the USMC's Toys for Tots program.

The TEEN CHOICE 2010 partnership marks the opening of Planet Cazmo's new "Cazmo Network" where the company has recently launched several partnerships with major portals such as Primary Games and others, with other major announcements coming soon.

"Working with TEEN CHOICE 2010 is a fantastic opportunity for Planet Cazmo to prove the effectiveness of our platform, as well as serving our key demographic," said Michael Levine, CEO, Planet Cazmo.

About Planet Cazmo

Planet Cazmo is an online music themed virtual world for tweens and teens. Cazmo is leading the way with music integration and celebrity virtual concerts, and integrates YouTube videos, games and entertainment into one easily accessible web browser-based, rendered 3D environment. It connects youth from around the world and has seen rapid adoption and tremendous enthusiasm from young consumers from more than 180 countries. Its high level of customization gives players the opportunity to create, personalize, and accessorize their virtual characters and homes, play mini games, go on quests and much more.

About Teen Choice Awards

Hosted by Katy Perry, TEEN CHOICE 2010 will celebrate the hottest teen icons in film, television, music, sports and fashion in the choicest star-studded two-hour event airing Monday, Aug. 9 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. Every year, the special presents performances by some of pop music's hottest stars. TEEN CHOICE 2010 fans ages 13-19 can vote once each day for their favorite TEEN CHOICE 2010 nominees at www.teenchoiceawards.com.

About The Mottola Company

The Mottola Company (TMC) is a multi-media communications organization with a diverse portfolio which includes intellectual properties such as recorded music and publishing, television production, internet development, theater, and fashion. Additionally, as an entertainment management, consultancy, and branding company, TMC has guided the careers of such artists as: Usher, whose "Confessions" release has sold over 20 million copies to date, Grammy winner and Latin pop star Marc Anthony, and British breakthrough and best new artist of 2007, MIKA with a debut of over 7 million units sold. Presently, having secured the rights to 70's "blaxploitation" mega hit "Super Fly," it is now a Broadway bound costume musical with its iconic soundtrack by Curtis Mayfield.  TMC is also consultant to O.N.E. World Beverages, and it's, O.N.E. Coconut Water the worldwide leader in this category.

SOURCE Planet Cazmo