Chosen By The Fuse Viewers – Adonis Thompson of Pine
Bluff, AK
Wins Coveted Fantasy VJ Gig
Newly Hired VJ Starts Work Today On VIDEOMANIAC
New York, NY (July 11, 2005) – Fuse, the nation's only viewer-influenced, all-music network, today announced that Adonis Thompson of Pine Bluff, Arkansas is the winner of the network's first-ever Ultimate Fuse Gig: The VJ Search. Live on national television, Adonis was offered the ultimate gig – a six month contract to be a Fuse VJ and the opportunity to co-host Fuse's latest franchise, VIDEOMANIAC. Shooting on location in New York City, VIDEOMANIAC explores the City's highlights and best known secrets while bringing viewers the newest and hottest videos. Adonis joins hip Fuse VJ Marianela as they start production today on the series that premieres on August 1 from 6am – 8am and 11am – 1:30pm ET daily.
The outcome of the 20-episode VJ search was decided in the final moments of Fuse's hit show Daily Download on Friday, July 8. At 6:50pm ET from Fuse's state of the art street front studio on 7th Avenue, the audience was going wild as the viewers at home were getting in those last minute votes. Once the polls were officially closed, the votes were tabulated and at 6:55pm the winner of the Ultimate Gig, Adonis Thompson, was showered in confetti and balloons – the new face of Fuse.
"This is a dream come true," exclaimed Fuse VJ Adonis Thompson. "It feels as if everything I've been through the past few years has culminated into this grand finale. I'm so excited to be a part of the Fuse team and looking forward to doing so much more!"
Formerly working in the copy center at Arkansas State University, the 24-year old Arkansas native counts Green Day, Linkin Park, Puddle of Mudd, The Roots and Wu-Tang Clan among his favorite bands. Today, Adonis joins the Fuse family as the newest on-air VJ, co-hosting a brand new show on Fuse.
"We set out to find a rare gem of a music-lover – someone with the personality, passion and fearlessness needed to run with our superstar VJ quartet, and I believe that Adonis embodies all of these qualities," commented Robert Weiss, Head of Entertainment, Fuse. "Challenge after challenge, Adonis proved his music expertise all while exhibiting the professionalism and poise that made him outlast thousands of other contestants, as well as the six remaining finalists."
Setting a new benchmark for the network, the viewers played a pivotal role in choosing the newest Fuse VJ. While all of Fuse's programs have interactive elements, the voting volume online and via mobile phones for Ultimate Fuse Gig: The VJ Search set a new standard for Fuse's tech-savvy audience, eclipsing typical traffic by more than 400 percent.
"If only voting for president were as fun and easy," continued Weiss. "Our viewers went on line and voted, text messaged and blogged for their favorite VJ candidates – this was truly all about the viewers and who they wanted as their next Fuse VJ."
ABOUT ULTIMATE FUSE GIG: THE VJ SEARCH
Interactive from the beginning, the 20-episode series which debuted on March 10 showed Fuse's fab-four VJs sifting through thousands of videotape and online submissions, looking for young people with the brains, physical appeal, stamina and star-quality necessary to be an A-list on-air personality.
Six contestants were selected to receive the ultimate fantasy ambush – an all expenses paid trip to New York City where they received rock star treatment and lived the fabulous life of a Fuse VJ with makeovers, new wardrobes, and invitations to the coolest record industry parties – until reality set in.
The six lucky hopefuls had to live together in a New York City apartment while competing against each other in challenges that mirror the daily life of a real on-air personality – from interviewing rock stars such as Akon, Billy Corgan, Bowling For Soup, Fat Joe, Gorillaz and Taking Back Sunday, and withstanding all-day photo shoots and going live on TV after all-night parties to handling angry fans, shooting in freezing cold weather and keeping a smile on their faces no matter how many takes were demanded. These challenges reduced the pool of hopefuls to two men, leaving the Fuse audience to decide which contestant's dream was going to come true.
ABOUT FUSE
Fuse is the nation's only all-music, viewer-influenced television network, featuring music videos, exclusive artist interviews, live concerts and specials — all rooted in the music experience. Fuse reflects the rapidly changing interests and attitudes of its 12-34 year-old audience by uniting the media platforms at the center of their communication and entertainment – TV, Web, mobile technologies and interactive gaming and by incorporating their opinions and suggestions into the network's on-air and online programming. More information about Fuse is available at www.fuse.tv.
ABOUT CABLEVISION SYSTEMS CORPORATION
Cablevision Systems Corporation is one of the nation's leading entertainment, media and telecommunications companies. In addition to its broadband, cable, Internet, telephone and satellite television offerings, the company owns and operates Rainbow Media Holdings LLC and its networks; Madison Square Garden and its teams; and, Clearview Cinemas. In addition, Cablevision operates New York's famed Radio City Music Hall. Additional information about Cablevision Systems Corporation is available on the Web at www.cablevision.com.
Artwork is available for download at http://fuse.tv/press/press.html