"2013 mtvU WOODIE AWARDS" RETURN TO AUSTIN, TEXAS WITH A FULL DAY OF PERFORMANCES FROM THE BEST EMERGING ARTISTS ON THURSDAY, MARCH 14

mtvU Seeking Best Student Band/Artist to Open the Woodies Festival in Austin during South by Southwest

"2013 Woodie Awards Special" to Air on MTV and mtvU on Sunday, March 17 at 8 p.m. ET/PT

New York, NY - January 18, 2013 - MTV's 24-hour college network, mtvU, today announced that the "2013 mtvU Woodie Awards" and Festival are returning to Austin, Texas for a full day of musical performances on Thursday, March 14, 2013 during the SXSW Music Festival. The annual musical moment of truth honors the artists who are infiltrating the music landscape, and MTV and mtvU will air a half-hour "2013 Woodie Awards" special on Sunday, March 17 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT. mtvU will announce nominees and performers at a later date.

Each year the "Woodies" pay homage to the artists who are breaking through, and this year the show is also spotlighting the best emerging musicians on campus. Up to four nominees will be selected and then profiled on MTV.com for the audience to vote on their favorite. The band or artist with the most votes will have the chance to travel to Austin to kick-off a day of incredible performances as they play the opening set at the "Woodies Festival," before receiving their very own chunk of wood in a new "Woodie Awards" category. College musicians vying for an opportunity to take the Woodies stage can send their name, contact info and links to their videos to WOODIES@mtvU.com. More details on this category to be announced soon.

The Woodies Festival and Award Show

To harness the power of live music, MTV and mtvU are touching down in Austin, Texas during the SXSW Music Festival on Thursday, March 14, 2013. The day will begin at 2:00 p.m. CT with a host of live performances by up-and-coming artists during the open-air "Woodie Awards Festival." Open to all SXSW badge holders and music fans over the age of 18, the performances will lead up to the "2013 mtvU Woodie Awards," which will take-over the Festival beginning at 8:00 p.m. CT on March 14, 2013. Music fans without SXSW badges will need a "Woodies" ticket for entry. Tickets are free and available in the Austin Convention Center (additional details to be announced soon). On Sunday, March 17, 2013 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT, mtvU will bring the best moments from the show to MTV and mtvU in the half-hour "2013 mtvU Woodie Awards Special." The hosted special will showcase some of the best "Woodie Awards" performances and celebrate the artists who are walking away with Awards this year. Additionally, the biggest celebrities, comedians and artists will join the special to give a nod to their favorite artists.

The 9th annual mtvU Woodie Awards promise to be an unforgettable night of music and performances. The show was established in 2004 and has since propelled numerous recognized acts to the next level of their careers - including surging record sales, headlining tours and mainstream acclaim. Examples include: The Killers (Breaking Woodie '04), Death Cab for Cutie (Best Video Woodie '05), Muse (Performing Woodie '07), Gym Class Heroes (Woodie of the Year '07), Lupe Fiasco (performed at Woodies '07), Paramore (Woodie of the Year '08), Kings of Leon (Woodie of the Year '09), Vampire Weekend (performed at '09 Woodies), Matt & Kim (Best Video Woodie '09), Wiz Khalifa (Woodie of the Year '11), Odd Future (performed at '11 Woodies), MGK (Breaking Woodie '12) and Mac Miller (Woodie of Year and Performing Woodie '12).

Eric Conte, Amy Doyle and Gina Esposito are the Executive Producers of the "2013 mtvU Woodie Awards." Joe Buoye is the Executive in Charge of Production. Tracy Hellerud is Supervising Producer.

About mtvU:

Broadcast to more than 750 college campuses and via top cable distributors in 700 college communities nationwide, mtvU reaches nearly 9 million U.S. college students - making it the largest, most comprehensive television network just for college students. Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, mtvU can be seen in the dining areas, fitness centers, student lounges and dorm rooms of campuses throughout the U.S., as well as on cable systems from Charter Communications, Verizon FiOS TV, Suddenlink Communications, AT&T u-Verse and nearly 70 others. mtvU is dedicated to every aspect of college life, reaching students everywhere they are: on-air, online and on the campus. mtvU programs music videos from emerging artists that can't be seen anywhere else, news, student life features and initiatives that give college students the tools to advance positive social change. mtvU is always on campus, with hundreds of events per year, including exclusive concerts, giveaways, shooting mtvU series and more. For more information about mtvU, and a complete programming schedule, visit www.mtvU.com