October 4, 2002

Two historic concerts will take place -- in Cape Town, South Africa on November 23, featuring Grammy-winning artist Alicia Keys and local artists and in Seattle, Washington on November 7, featuring multi-platinum acts Missy Elliott, Dave Matthews and others. Both concerts will be edited together to premiere on MTV channels worldwide on World AIDS Day, December 1, as a 90-minute commercial-free special: MTV Presents Levi's Jeans Staying Alive Concert in Association With YouthAIDS.

The concerts will be held as part of an HIV/AIDS awareness partnership for youth between business, media, non-government organizations (NGOs) and charitable foundations. The partnership was announced yesterday by MTV, Levi's, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Paul G. Allen Charitable Foundation, Population Services International's YouthAIDS and UNAIDS (the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS).

Additional talent announcements will be made in the coming weeks.

The concert special, as well as additional HIV/AIDS awareness programming, is being offered rights free to broadcasters worldwide to get positive health messages out to the widest audience possible; it is estimated the concert will be seen by a potential global audience of more than two billion people. MTV recently signed a memorandum of understanding with the European Broadcasting Union, the largest association of public service broadcasters, to distribute the programming to 70 additional broadcasters in 51 countries reaching 290 million households. Westwood One radio network, in conjunction with Westwood One's MTV Radio Network, will distribute the concert to radio stations worldwide. The special will be seen by more than 377 million households in 166 countries on MTV channels in the Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America, North America, and Russia.

The partnership aims to fight the stigma and discrimination surrounding HIV/AIDS, prevent further infections and empower youth to make informed decisions. The collaborative effort is being produced in conjunction with MTV International's Staying Alive campaign as well as the MTV U.S. yearlong sexual health campaign, Fight For Your Rights: Protect Yourself.

The Cape Town concert will be held at Greenpoint Stadium on November 23 and will also feature a line-up of local artists to be announced soon, and the Seattle event will be held on November 7 at Experience Music Project. The concerts are being made possible by the financial support of Levi's, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Paul G. Allen Charitable Foundation. UNAIDS acts as the partnership's advisory on HIV/AIDS, as well as the non-profit organization Population Services International (PSI).

"With more than 50% of all new HIV/AIDS infections occurring among people under the age of 25 around the world, this disease is reaching crisis proportions among young people globally. The good news is, that through education, awareness, and diligence, this disease is wholly preventable," commented Brian Graden, President, Entertainment, MTV/VH1 U.S. "Since MTV has the eyes and ears of so many young people worldwide, the network is 100% committed to employing every possible resource to raise awareness of this deadly epidemic and to empower our audience with the knowledge they need to protect themselves. "

"PSI launched the global initiative YouthAIDS to help mobilize corporations in the fight against HIV/AIDS prevention," said Richard Frank, President, PSI. "PSI's partnership with MTV on the Staying Alive Concert will help extend the reach of HIV/AIDS prevention efforts by speaking to adolescents in a language they understand, using their favorite music, talent and brands."

"This dynamic partnership targeting young people is key to educating youth about the risks of HIV, preventing future infections, and breaking down the walls of stigma and discrimination surrounding the epidemic," said Peter Piot, UNAIDS Executive Director. "By involving the music industry, business, and private foundations, we hope to maximize the impact of this campaign and make a difference in the lives of young people."

Fight For Your Rights: Protect Yourself is the latest installment in MTV's Emmy award winning Fight For Your Rights pro-social initiative in the U.S. Developed in partnership with the Kaiser Family Foundation, the yearlong campaign focuses primarily on HIV/AIDS, other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and unintended pregnancy. It includes special programming; public service messages; one of the most comprehensive sexual health Web sites for youth; grassroots events and advocacy opportunities; and an extensive resource and referral service, including a free sexual health guide. MTV International launched its Staying Alive multimedia HIV/AIDS awareness campaign for youth at the 14th International AIDS Conference in Barcelona this past July. Developed in partnership with the Kaiser Family Foundation and the YouthNet program spearheaded by Family Health International, the campaign includes special programming, a dedicated, informative Web site, public service announcements and locally produced events and initiatives.

YouthAIDS is a global initiative implemented by Population Services International (PSI) working in over sixty countries to educate and protect adolescents from HIV/AIDS. PSI's global network delivers health education, products and services for HIV/AIDS prevention, family planning, malaria prevention and maternal and child health. Using private sector and commercial marketing techniques, PSI helps lower income populations enjoy better health. Where public health care facilities are scarce or overtaxed, PSI fills a critical gap.

UNAIDS brings together the efforts and resources of eight United Nations organizations to help the world prevent HIV infections, care for those already infected, and mitigate the impact of the epidemic. Its aim is to help mount and support an expanded response to AIDS -- one that engages the efforts of many sectors and partners from government and civil society.