Introducing DiGi CelebriTeen 2007!

Introducing DiGi CelebriTeen 2007!
Teen singing competition is back with fresh twists and new talents

KUALA LUMPUR , 17 April 2007: DiGi CelebriTeen 2007 is on! Officially launched today, the five-month long singing competition begins its hunt for Malaysia's next teen stars.

Created by DiGi Telecommunications Sdn Bhd ("DiGi"), DiGi CelebriTeen is a nationwide singing competition that provides teenagers a platform to showcase their vocal skills, spunk and personality. It aims to showcase and nurture young talents, giving them the opportunity they need in sharing their passion.

After a highly successful first season, DiGi CelebriTeen is back for a second consecutive year featuring a new format and covering more states. Under the new format, participants can now register as duos, trios and quartets in addition to solo acts. According to Loong Tuck Weng, DiGi's Head of Segment and Marketing, the new twist keeps the competition fresh while creating more avenues for the youth to shine.

"DiGi CelebriTeen exists for the purpose of cultivating teenagers at this tender age as many talents often go unnoticed and eventually give up. This year, DiGi CelebriTeen undergoes some changes in cultivating the performing and singing talent among teenagers. By giving them the freedom to perform solo, duets, trios or quartets, they are now able to express themselves in different ways. The change will also make the competition more colourful as we will get to see their teamwork spirit and chemistry in group performances," he said.

Apart from the new format, the competition will reach out to more Malaysian youth by having more audition locations throughout the country. Unlike other talent contests where the minimum participatory age is 18 and above, DiGi CelebriTeen is open to all Malaysians aged 13 to 19 years and is targeted to reach more than 30,000 teenagers across Malaysia.

The competition takes place at four levels beginning with the auditions at the various regions. The regional finals will see the top 70 talents filtered down to the best seven, who will go on to the Semi-Final. The final three will then be determined to proceed to the National Grand Final, where the DiGi CelebriTeen 2007 champion will emerge.

The champion will be rewarded an education trust fund worth RM15,000, along with cash and prizes worth RM5,000 while the 1 st and 2 nd Runners-up will each receive RM8,000 and RM4,000 worth of education fund coupled with RM2,000 and RM1,000 in cash and prizes respectively. All top three winners will also receive a trophy, a certificate, and a year’s worth of monthly RM100 DiGi reloads. Each region representative will also be rewarded consolation prizes worth up to RM500 in cash and prizes, a trophy, a certificate, and RM50 DiGi reloads per month up for six months.

Focused on the development of its participants, DiGi CelebriTeen 2007 incorporates developmental initiatives such as vocal training, grooming lessons and stage performance tips by professionals.

"Providing a performing platform for the teenagers to explore their inner talent is indeed meaningful and we look forward to seeing these teenagers develop into real stars. It is not about winning; rather, it is about the experience of having good fun, making friends and living their dreams," Loong elaborated.

Loong further added, "It doesn't just end there, as there are many unique and invaluable opportunities throughout the DiGi CelebriTeen experience; there will be chances for our teens to meet and perform with artistes, training to improve upon their talent and of course, sustained exposure via DiGi-related events and road shows."

There will also be a weekly DiGi CelebriTeen 2007 TV programme which will take the audience through the entire audition process as well as the unseen antics that take place backstage. The National Grand Final will be aired throughout the country during a two-hour special live telecast.

"DiGi CelebriTeen is more than just a singing competition. It is a journey that these teenagers embark on as they strive to be the best they can be. We realise that there are many who support these teenagers and want to be a part of their journey. The television programme will give them the opportunity to follow their favourite DiGi CelebriTeen every step of the way," Loong added.

Participants are judged based on delivery of chosen song, appearance, crowd interaction, pitch, articulation, improvisation, timing and personality. Each participant at the regional finals will be scored on judges' recommendations while participants at the Semi-Final and National Grand Final will be scored on both the judges' recommendations as well as SMS votes.

DiGi will also be providing more exciting value-added-services through mobile downloads and via the web to enable public participation and interaction beyond those who are taking part in the competition, allowing everyone to be part of this year's excitement.

DiGi Fu-Yoh! customers will enjoy exclusive privileges throughout the DiGi CelebriTeen program such as special invites to DiGi events, free DiGi CelebriTeen mobile content, meet-and-greet sessions with celebrities at DiGi CelebriTeen events, and opportunities to win DiGi premiums at roadshows and much more. There will also be bonus prizes consisting DiGi prepaid reloads for 6 to 12 months for all Semi-Final and National Grand Final winners.

Log on to www.digicelebriteen.com for information on how to participate, videos and pictures of past auditions and special downloads.

About DiGi
DiGi is Malaysia's fastest growing mobile operator, driven by innovation, simplicity and best value through DiGi Prepaid, DiGi Postpaid and DiGi Business.

Issued by:
Corporate Communications Department
DiGi Telecommunications Sdn Bhd