World's First 'Fan Voting Meter' Announced For The 60th Annual Miss USA® Pageant

NEW YORK, June 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- For the first time ever, the Miss Universe Organization and dick clark productions will offer an on-screen interactive technology that will enable the home audience to 'gamify' their viewing experience as they watch the "2011 Miss USA^® Pageant" LIVE from Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas Sunday, June 19 (9 p.m. ET) on NBC. The collaboration with iPowow takes fan involvement to the next level by allowing fans to role play along at home and be a part of the show as a 'virtual judge.'

The web application will be available at www.nbc.com/missusa on Thursday, June 16. Viewers can use iPowow's Live-and-in-the-Now real time system from their smartphone, tablet or PC. After fans use the iPowow scoring screen to rank contestants during the live pageant, they will be able to share their responses via Twitter and Facebook. The show's celebrity judges will ultimately decide who will be crowned the next Miss USA.

"iPowow's engaging touch screen technology means our viewers will be an integral part of our live show," said Colin Hornett, director, digital multimedia. "As viewers allocate points, a contestant's on-screen score will update while they are still on stage. This is an incredible tool for fan engagement and not just a first for Miss USA, but a first for primetime event television."

Also new to this year's pageant is an online voting component enabling fans to vote their favorite contestant into the semifinals at the 2011 Miss USA^® Competition. Fans can vote online at www.missusa.com or www.NBC.com. Online voting is taking place now through June 18th. (9 p.m. ET).

iPowow's latest success with the 2011 Miss USA^® Pageant comes on the back of collaborations with global sports broadcasters UFC, Top Rank Boxing and the "2010 American Music Awards®".

ABOUT THE MISS USA® PAGEANT

The Miss Universe Organization, a Donald J. Trump and NBC Universal joint venture, is a global community empowering role models of beauty, health and leadership for young women of today. As part of the Miss Universe Organization, Miss USA is dedicated to partnering with charities around the world, and to increasing awareness of breast and ovarian cancers. For more information, visit: www.missusa.com.

About dick clark productions, inc.

Founded in 1957, dick clark productions, inc. (dcp) is a leading independent producer of television programming. dcp produces perennial hits such as the "American Music Awards," "Golden Globe Awards," "Academy of Country Music Awards" and "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest." dcp also produces popular weekly television programming, including SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE, and owns and maintains one of the world's most unique and extensive entertainment libraries, which includes more than 30 years of "American Bandstand" footage. For more information, please visit www.dickclarkproductions.com.

SOURCE Miss Universe Organization