MTV TO GRANT ONE LUCKY FAN AN UNFORGETTABLE SOLO PRIVATE PERFORMANCE FROM ED SHEERAN

MTV's "Ultimate Fan Experience" Presented by Applebee's To Give Worlds Luckiest Fan the Chance to Receive a One-on-OnePrivate Acoustic Performance, Meet and Greet and Front Row Seats to North American Tour Kickoff

New York, NY/ Kansas, MO (February 17, 2015) - MTV today announced that it will give one lucky fan and their guest the unforgettable experience of a private, acoustic performance from British singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran with its "Ultimate Fan Experience" campaign, presented by Applebee's Neighborhood Grill and Bar. Sheeran - known for captivating audiences in sold-out arenas across the globe - will treat the winner and guest to an intimate set that includes hits from his chart-topping album "x," (pronounced multiply). The winner and their guest will additionally get the VIP treatment with roundtrip flights to Austin, Texas, where they will sit front and center at the first date of Sheeran's North American tour.

"It's always my goal to connect with everyone in the audience at my shows," says Sheeran. "No matter how large the venue, each person should feel like I'm performing just for them. With the Ultimate Fan Experience, I literally get to do just that."

Beginning today, MTV and Applebee's will run a series of spots across MTV's various channels and screens (including MTV, MTV Hits, MTV.com, and MTV Artists) to encourage fans to head to UFE.MTV.com to enter for a chance to win. Additional "Ultimate Fan Experiences" featuring various artists will rollout throughout 2015.

MTV piloted the "Ultimate Fan Experience" last year where it quickly became a hit with fans and artists alike. Artists who have participated in the campaign include Nick Jonas, Fifth Harmony and Maroon 5.

Ed Sheeran is a 6-x GRAMMY(R)-nominated, multiplatinum singer/songwriter. At only 24 years old, the British artist has already become a global phenomenon. His latest album "x" (pronounced multiply) has gone to #1 in 14 countries around the world, including the United States and his native United Kingdom, where it was both the biggest and fastest selling album of 2014. "x" - which recently earned a GRAMMY(R) nomination for Album of the Year - features a trio of platinum-certified hits with "Sing," "Don't," and his current single "Thinking Out Loud." An acclaimed live performer, Sheeran has played countless sold out shows all over the globe, including a 3-night stand at New York City's Madison Square Garden and 4 nights at London's O2 Arena. Sheeran's world tour returns to North America in May, before heading back to the UK in July to perform his biggest headlining shows to date - 3 sold out nights at London's Wembley Stadium. For more information, please visitwww.edsheeran.com.

For more information, including news, interviews, performances and music videos from Ed Sheeran, check out MTV Artists on the web (Artists.MTV.com) or download the free app for iOS.

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 a leading destination for music, news and pop culture. MTV is a unit of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA), one of the world's leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms.

About Applebee's Neighborhood Grill and Bar(R):

Applebee's is the world's largest casual dining chain, with approximately 2,000 locations in 49 states, 16 countries and one U.S. territory. Based in Kansas City, Missouri, Applebee's takes pride in providing a welcoming, neighborhood environment where everyone can enjoy the dining experience. Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar(R) restaurants are franchised or operated by DineEquity's wholly-owned subsidiary, Applebee's International, Inc. and its affiliates.