World's First Social-Reality Show to Debut on ABC

BRUSSELS, Jan.12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Nothing says The Big Time like opening on stage at the MGM Grand Arena for the likes of will.i.am, Sublime with Rome, and Jane's Addiction at the iHeartRadio Music Festival.  That's what's at stake for three singer-songwriters, cast via the world's first social reality show, when they compete in the premiere episode of Bud United presents: The Big Time, debuting Saturday, January 21 at 3 p.m. EST, as part of an agreement by Budweiser with ESPN/ABC to broadcast all seven episodes on ABC.

During the show, Jessica Ridley of Nashville, TN; Laura Jeanne of St. Albans, England; and Justin Nault of Madison, TN, are pushed to their limits in a series of challenges that test their songwriting and performance skills, all in an effort to prove to Grammy Award-Winning Producer Narada Michael Walden and Clear Channel Radio Program Director Julie Pilat they have what it takes to wow crowds on the big stage.

The seven-part Bud United presents: The Big Time features young adults from across the globe fulfilling their dreams – from racing professional racecar drivers and suiting up for a global soccer powerhouse to pitching for a professional baseball team and taking center stage at a major music concert.  Individuals from all over the world had the opportunity to be selected for the global show by submitting a casting application online.  Along with ABC's broadcast in the United States, Budweiser is working with international entertainment distribution company FreemantleMedia Enterprises to distribute the show globally.

A creative team led by @radical.media, an Emmy and Academy Award winning global entertainment company creating some of the world's most innovative content and Evan Weinstein, Co-Executive Producer of The Amazing Race and seven-time Emmy Award winner, have partnered with Budweiser to produce the show.

Budweiser is known for being innovative in the space. In 2010, the brand introduced Bud United, a proprietary global experiential platform connecting consumer's passion points with the brand. As official sponsor of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ Budweiser connected with consumers on their number one passion point – football – through Bud United: Bud House.  Earlier this year, Budweiser launched Bud United presents: The Big Time to engage consumers across multiple passion points and bringing their Big Time dreams to life. Visit our content hub at www.facebook.com/BudUnited for more.

About Anheuser-Busch InBev
Anheuser-Busch InBev is a publicly traded company (Euronext: ABI) based in Leuven, Belgium, with an American Depositary Receipt secondary listing on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: BUD).  It is the leading global brewer and one of the world's top five consumer products companies.  A true consumer-centric, sales driven organization, AB InBev manages a portfolio of well over 200 beer brands that includes global flagship brands Budweiser®, Stella Artois® and Beck's®, fast growing multi-country brands like Leffe® and Hoegaarden®, and strong "local champions" such as Bud Light®, Skol®, Brahma®, Quilmes®, Michelob®, Harbin®, Sedrin®, Klinskoye®, Sibirskaya Korona®, Chernigivske®, and Jupiler®, among others.  In addition, the company owns a 50 percent equity interest in the operating subsidiary of Grupo Modelo, Mexico's leading brewer and owner of the global Corona® brand.  AB InBev's dedication to heritage and quality is rooted in brewing traditions that originate from the Den Hoorn brewery in Leuven, Belgium, dating back to 1366 and the pioneering spirit of the Anheuser & Co brewery, which traces its origins back to 1852 in St. Louis, USA.  Geographically diversified with a balanced exposure to developed and developing markets, AB InBev leverages the collective strengths of its approximately 114 000 employees based in operations in 23 countries across the world.  The company strives to be the Best Beer Company in a Better World.  In 2010, AB InBev realized 36.3 billion US dollar revenue.  For more information, please visit: www.ab-inbev.com.

Bud United presents: The Big Time Internet Press Kit
http://www.pwrnewmedia.com/2012/anheuser-busch/bud_united/index.html

About the contestants:

Jessica Ridley
Age: 26
Resides: Nashville, TN

From a very early age, Jessica has always had a passion for singing and songwriting. While she has aspired to be a country star, she also loved the idea of becoming a wife and mother. After marrying an entrepreneurial sporting scout at the young age of 18, it seemed as though Jessica was destined to be a mom…until she was discovered by a Nashville-based music producer while singing in church. Four children later, Jessica is back on track to become a country music star and is excited to see how these two worlds will collide.

Laura Jeanne
Age: 24
Resides in: St. Albans, ENGLAND

Unlike many aspiring stars, Laura performs in clothes that she makes herself. She also acts to fund her musical career, appearing as an extra in Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows (Part 2), 'Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows' and the British comedy series Down Town Abbey. Laura began writing her own songs after discovering her talent as a backup singer in a school play. She raised money to record a professional single in hopes of becoming a star, only to find out that no radio show would play or promote a single from an artist without the backing of a major label. Undaunted, Laura hopes to get as many people as possible to hear her music, because she truly believes she has a message of hope, inspiration, and following one's dreams and passions.

Justin Nault
Age: 25
Resides: Madison, TN

Justin has felt nothing but support from his family and friends in pursuing a music career. Attending the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, he arranged his college schedule so that he could play local gigs to help pay for school. After graduation, Justin moved to Nashville, where he earned a living as the human jukebox in a dueling piano bar, which also covered the cost of producing his own album. Now the time has come for Justin to give up local gigs and focus on touring, playing shows, and seeking representation so he can make it big.

For more information, contact:
Jen Crichton, +1 (314) 552-6788
[email protected]

SOURCE Anheuser-Busch InBev