International Pop Sensation RBD Joins AOL Latino to Launch New Music Show

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Expanding on traditional music countdown shows, AOL Latino will launch the “Top 11 AOL Latino Countdown,” an innovative, interactive music video countdown program available at www.aollatino.com on January 16. The new weekly show, which will feature international pop sensation RBD as the host of the debut episode, will showcase the Top 11 music videos of the week based on fan feedback from AOL Latino's music area. The show is exclusively sponsored by Verizon Wireless.

“The show already has a successful track record through AOL Music's English language version, which is why we are confident it will resonate with our audience as well.”

Viewers of the "Top 11 AOL Latino Countdown" are able to completely customize their experience – watching the countdown straight through or picking videos in any order they want, while communicating with friends, the host or other fans through instant messages. Additionally, users can customize the background, participate in polls and vote on the best video of the show – all of which generate instant results. Other features include “shout out” messages from fans and pop-up videos that surprise viewers with commentaries, fun facts, downloads and information about featured artists presented by the show’s hosts.

“As part of our ongoing strategy to provide the most relevant and entertaining original Spanish video content on the Web, we are thrilled to launch this new music show and partner with Verizon Wireless,” said Ralph Rivera, Vice President and General Manager, AOL Latino. "The show already has a successful track record through AOL Music's English language version, which is why we are confident it will resonate with our audience as well."

Verizon Wireless will be integrated throughout the show expanding the company's visibility within the Latino market. Components will include 15-second pre-rolls, special video shout-outs, custom skins, rich media advertising units and sponsorship logos.

“AOL Latino’s launching of a Spanish video countdown show is a unique and exciting endeavor and this relationship underscores Verizon Wireless’ commitment to providing customers with products reflective of the Latino culture," says John Harrobin, Vice President of Digital Media & Marketing, Verizon Wireless. “This is an important segment and Verizon Wireless will continue to seek new and innovative ways to appeal to Hispanic customers who increasingly are using mobile phones.”

Additionally, Latin music fans will have access to all the robust programming already available on AOLLatino.com including Sesiones en AOL, an intimate in-studio performance which has featured some of today’s hottest entertainers including Ricky Martin, Daddy Yankee, Luis Fonsi, Ednita Nazario, and more. Acceso Total, AOL Latino’s original entertainment show, takes an intimate look at the daily lives of some of the most renowned Hispanic celebrities including Marc Anthony, Sofia Vergara and Roselyn Sanchez, among others.

About RBD

The debut episode will be hosted by international pop sensation RBD, the music group that originated from the teenage-oriented telenovela Rebelde. Winners of multiple Latin Billboard Music Awards, the group has sold over 20 million copies of their albums. The debut of the English album Rebels hit stores in December 2006.

About AOL® Latino

AOL® Latino, a leading bilingual ISP and portal for U.S. Hispanics, provides comprehensive Spanish language features such as email, instant messaging, Parental Controls, antivirus and spam controls. AOL Latino also provides Spanish language content including U.S. and Latin American news, financial tools, the latest in music, entertainment, personal finance, sports, fashion and beauty, as well as access to all the existing content available on AOL.com.