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#VMAxNYC Contest Launches July 1

Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment and MTV celebrate the VMAs' return to NYC with imaginative new video contest

 

The Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment (MOME) and MTV today announced the launch of the #VMAxNYC contest, giving young New Yorkers a chance to show off their creativity and win tickets to the MTV Video Music Awards on August 28. In honor of the VMAs’ return to NYC – and in celebration of the event taking place at Madison Square Garden for the first time ever – contestants are asked to create a 30-second video answering the question: "If you could take your favorite VMA artist anywhere in NYC, where would it be and why?" Up to five winners will have the opportunity to attend the VMAs, and to walk the red carpet along with some of today’s biggest stars.

MOME Commissioner Julie Menin, MTV Brand Creative Director Andrei Chahine, and legendary New York Knicks point guard John Starks will judge the applications, which can be submitted until July 15.

"We’re thrilled to welcome the MTV VMAs back to New York City this year – and with the VMAxNYC contest, we’re offering an opportunity for all young New Yorkers to participate in the celebrations," said Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment Commissioner Julie Menin. "The VMAs honor some of today’s biggest musical talent, making New York the perfect home for this event. The VMAxNYC contest will showcase what makes our city such a source of creativity and inspiration."

Starting Friday, July 1, applicants ages 16 and older can submit their videos on the contest website, www.VMAxNYC.com. Up to five winners will receive tickets to attend the VMAs in August, as well as have their videos featured on some of NYC’s official social media channels. Up to 75 runners-up will also have the opportunity to visit MTV, learn about its programming and take a tour of the network’s studios, courtesy of Viacom.

"MTV couldn’t be more excited to nurture creativity in our hometown and let fans get in on the VMA experience,” said MTV Brand Creative Director Andrei Chahine. “We know NYC is going to bring it."

"I’m thrilled at the opportunity to participate in this unique contest presented by the Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment, which will allow young filmmakers in New York the chance to attend the first VMAs held at Madison Square Garden," said John Starks, New York Knicks great and current Alumni Relations and Fan Development Advisor for the organization. "Young New Yorkers are known for their creativity and imagination and I am excited to watch what they create on the screen."

The 2016 VMAs will mark the 16th time the music awards show has aired from New York City, including most recently the 2013 MTV VMAs at Brooklyn's Barclays Center, which featured world-renowned recording artists including Justin Timberlake, Miley Cyrus, and Robin Thicke. New York is home to MTV's corporate headquarters and is the original home of the VMAs, with the first-ever show taking place in 1984 at Radio City Music Hall.