BREAKOUT BAND YOUNG THE GIANT READY TO CONQUER THE "2011 MTV VIDEO MUSIC AWARDS" IN VMA PERFORMANCE DEBUT

The 28th Annual Awards Show Airing Live From Nokia Theater In Los Angeles On Sunday, August 28 at 9:00PM (Live ET/Tape Delayed PT)

New York, NY (August 03, 2011) - Continuing the tradition of shining the spotlight on emerging artists, MTV today announced that up and coming indie-rock band, Young the Giant will make their VMA performance debut at the "2011 Video Music Awards." Young The Giant has appeared across MTV and mtv.com as a featured "PUSH" artist and is one of mtvU's Freshman 5: Top 5 Bands for Summer. They join an impressive line-up of 2011 VMA performers that include Adele, Lil Wayne, and Chris Brown. The "2011 MTV Video Music Awards" will air live from Nokia Theater L.A. Live in Los Angeles on Sunday, August 28, 2011 at 9PM (Live ET/Tape delayed PT.) MTV will announce additional performers and presenters on a later date.

"We are extremely excited and absolutely honored to be asked to perform at this year's MTV Video Music Awards. It will be without a doubt, a monumental experience for us and one we will never forget. We've watched countless VMAs and to have the opportunity to perform this year alongside some of the biggest artists in the world will be truly amazing. We can't wait!" - Young The Giant

"Young The Giant is one of those bands you see live for the first time and walk away a superfan wondering when you can see them again. We are excited to give them our biggest stage and introduce them to a global audience of music lovers," said Amy Doyle, Executive Producer of the "2011 MTV Video Music Awards" and EVP, Music & Talent, MTV.

Young the Giant is comprised of Sameer Gadhia (vocals), Jacob Tilley (guitar), Eric Cannata (guitar/vocals), Payam Doostzadeh (bass), and Francois Comtois (drums/vocals). The California natives have wowed audiences across the globe with their melodic blend of indie rock and are scheduled to take the alternative music world by storm this summer playing at festivals such as Lollapalooza and Austin City Limits Festival. Their first single, "My Body", hit #4 in the Modern Rock charts in the United States and #1 in the Rock charts in Canada. The digital release of Young the Giant was named the #3 Rock Record of 2010 by Amazon.com. Their album is now available on RoadRunner Records.

Viewers can vote for general VMA categories, including "Best New Artist," by visiting vma.mtv.com online or m.mtv.com on their mobile phone. In addition, Best New Artist text voting is open to all wireless carrier subscribers by texting BNA to 66333. Voting continues through the show, live on August 28th. Verizon subscribers can vote on all categories via SMS by texting VMA to 66333 (standard message rates apply.)

The 2011 "MTV Video Music Awards" will be available to a potential viewing audience of more than 1.2 billion people via MTV's global network of more than 60 channels reaching more than 640 million households around the world as well as through syndication. In addition, its convergent programming and content will reach the entire interactive community, via MTV's nearly 200 digital media properties around the world.

The 2010 VMAs averaged a 10.0 P12-34 rating and 11.4 million total viewers, marking the network's best deliveries for any MTV telecast since the 2002 VMAs (8/29/02) as well as making it the third most watched telecast in MTV's history.

To watch video of last year's biggest moments, get the full list of last year's show winners and can check out fashion, celebrity and music commentary from the shows' red carpets, please go to vma.mtv.com.

Jesse Ignjatovic/Den of Thieves is the Executive Producer for the "2011 MTV Video Music Awards." Amy Doyle, Garrett English and Dave Sirulnick are Executive Producers. Jen Jones is co-Executive Producer. Joanna Bomberg is Executive in Charge of Music and Talent. Hamish Hamilton is Director. Wendy Plaut is Celebrity Talent Executive.

Official sponsors of the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards are 5(R) Gum, COVERGIRL, Dove(R) go fresh Deodorant, Kia Motors America, PacSun, Sharpie(R), State Farm(R), Taco Bell(R) and Verizon.

About MTV:

MTV is the world's premier youth entertainment brand. With a global reach of more than a half-billion households, MTV is the cultural home of the millennial generation, music fans and artists, and a pioneer in creating innovative programming for young people. MTV reflects and creates pop culture with its Emmy(R), Grammy(R) and Peabody(R) award-winning content built around compelling storytelling, music discovery and activism across TV, online and mobile. MTV's sibling networks MTV2 and mtvU each deliver unparalleled customized content for young males, music fans and college students, and its online hub MTV.com is the leading destination for music, news and pop culture. MTV is part of MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), one of the world's leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms.