MTV Fight For Your Rights Campaign Announces National Sex Ed Contest; Good Charlotte to Play, SIECUS to Host Forum in Winner's Town

8/28/2003

From: Janine Iamunno of MTV Communications, 212-846-6992, e-mail: janine.iamunno@mtvstaff.com or Adrienne Verrilli of SIECUS, 212-819-9770, e-mail: averrilli@siecus.org

NEW YORK, Aug. 28 -- MTV: Music Television today announced the launch of "Protect Yourself with Good Charlotte," a national sex ed contest to bring crucial sexual health information to a community in need, and to educate and empower young people on their top issue of personal concern: sexual health.

One lucky MTV viewer will win an exclusive performance by multi-platinum recording artists -- and 2003 Video Music Awards performers -- Good Charlotte, and a sexual health forum moderated by an MTV News correspondent in the winner's hometown. Promos featuring the band will begin appearing on MTV on September 1, the contest launch date. The contest ends on September 15.

As part of MTV's Emmy Award-winning "Fight For Your Rights" campaign and in collaboration with SIECUS (Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States), the contest invites young people aged 15-24 to submit an essay, 300 words or less, via MTV.com, expressing why their community is in desperate need of sexual health information. After selecting the winner, MTV and SIECUS will bring sexual health experts and an exclusive Good Charlotte concert to the winner's hometown. The winner will also get to meet Good Charlotte and invite 50 friends to the special performance.

"MTV is committed to responding to our audience's outcry for information on how to protect their sexual health," commented Brian Graden, president of entertainment, MTV & VH1. "We are thrilled to have Good Charlotte on board to help bring attention to this important contest -- and to give one lucky fan the chance to meet the band and enjoy a private concert."

"Access to sexual health information is critical to the health and well-being of our young people," said Tamara Kreinin, president of SIECUS. "We commend MTV and Good Charlotte for their bold leadership in bringing life-saving information to our youth," Kreinin continued. "SIECUS is proud to participate in this exciting contest."

This contest is just the latest event in MTV's comprehensive, year-round Fight For Your Rights: Protect Yourself pro-social initiative. Protect Yourself focuses primarily on HIV/AIDS, other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and unintended pregnancy. This includes special programming; public service messages; one of the most comprehensive sexual health websites for youth; grassroots events and advocacy opportunities; and an extensive resource and referral service, including a free sexual health guide.

For more information, and official rules for MTV's "Protect Yourself with Good Charlotte" contest, visit http://www.MTV.com.

The Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States (SIECUS) advocates for comprehensive sexuality education for young people, both here and abroad, supporting wide access to information and education regarding sexual health related issues. We provide the most current research, statistics, and trends in the field including sexuality education, teen pregnancy, sexual abuse, HIV/AIDS and STDs, reproductive health, and sexual rights.

MTV Networks owns and operates the cable television programming services MTV: Music Television, MTV2, Nickelodeon/Nick at Nite, TV Land, VH1, CMT: Country Music Television, and Spike TV, as well as The Digital Suite from MTV Networks, a package of thirteen digital services, all of which are trademarks of MTV Networks. MTV Networks also operates and offers joint ventures, licensing agreements and syndication deals whereby its programming can be seen worldwide.