Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures and MySpace Team Up for Ultimate High School Spirit Contest as 'High School Musical 3: Senior Year' Big-Screen Debut Approaches

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures and MySpace Team Up for Ultimate High School Spirit Contest as 'High School Musical 3: Senior Year' Big-Screen Debut Approaches

One U.S. High School to Win a Magical Disney Grad Nite Celebration, Plus a HSM3 Celebrity Pep Rally Featuring a Live Performance by Natasha Bedingfield

BURBANK, Calif., Sept. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- To gear up for the highly anticipated theatrical release of "High School Musical 3: Senior Year" on October 24th, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures has teamed up with MySpace, the world's premier social network, to create the ultimate "HSM3 School Spirit Contest" kicking off Sept. 2, 2008. One U.S. high school whose students best showcase their inner Wildcat could win a magical Disney Grad Nite celebration for the 2009 graduating class* at Walt Disney World(R) Resort or Disneyland(R) Resort, plus a HSM3 celebrity pep rally for the whole school featuring a live performance by Natasha Bedingfield.

Designed to encourage fans to show their best school spirit, the contest, which runs through Nov. 3, 2008, will be hosted on www.myspace.com/hsm3. Participants can earn points for their school by logging on to the film's official MySpace profile, completing online tasks, and voting via text messaging.

"HSM3 is the biggest movie in a franchise that is already a worldwide phenomenon. It's all about the issues you face during senior year, especially getting ready for the next chapter of your life," said Jim Gallagher, president of marketing, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. "We thought this contest was a great way to include every high school in the country in the fun of HSM3."

"Disney has devised a ground-breaking campaign for High School Musical 3 and MySpace is thrilled to play a part," said Jeff Berman, president of sales and marketing for MySpace. "Technology, entertainment and MySpace's community are coming together creating a once-in-a-lifetime experience for High School Musical's passionate fans."

And the winner is ...

The winning school will receive a senior trip that includes roundtrip coach airfare, hotel accommodations for two nights, airport and hotel transfers in the destination city, admission to the theme park, Disney gift cards to cover meals, and admission to the Disney Grad Nite event. Disney Grad Nite promises a memorable night of the hottest live music and amped up theme park attractions. The winning school also receives a HSM3 celebrity pep rally starring Natasha Bedingfield, the biggest UK female pop star in the U.S., with special guest Menudo.

Potential participants should log onto the website for eligibility, official rules and prize specifications.

About the Movie

Disney's "High School Musical" phenomenon leaps onto the big screen in HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 3: SENIOR YEAR, in which America's favorite high school students (ZAC EFRON, VANESSA HUDGENS, ASHLEY TISDALE, LUCAS GRABEEL, CORBIN BLEU and MONIQUE COLEMAN) hit senior year. Amidst a basketball championship, prom and a big spring musical featuring all of the Wildcats, Troy and Gabriella vow to make every moment last as their lifelong college dreams put the future of their relationship in question. A crew of sophomore Wildcats (MATT PROKOP, JUSTIN MARTIN, JEMMA MCKENZIE-BROWN) joins in the fun as the film's incredible new music and exciting dance numbers take maximum advantage of the big screen. Directed by Kenny Ortega from a screenplay written by Peter Barsocchini, the film opens in theaters Oct. 24.

About MySpace

MySpace, a unit of Fox Interactive Media Inc., is the premier lifestyle portal for connecting with friends, discovering popular culture, and making a positive impact on the world. MySpace has created a connected global community by integrating web profiles, blogs, instant messaging, e-mail, music streaming, music videos, photo galleries, classified listings, events, groups, college communities, and member forums. MySpace's international network includes more than 20 localized community sites in the United States, Brazil, Canada, Latin America, Mexico, Austria, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Australia, India, Japan, and New Zealand. Fox Interactive Media is a division of News Corp.

About Disney Grad Nite

Disney Grad Nite is a graduation tradition with over a 35 year history at the Disneyland(R) Resort in California and the Walt Disney World(R) Resort in Florida. This late night, private event inside a Disney theme park is exclusively for graduating High School Seniors. The event includes live entertainment, dance parties, special fireworks and access to the world famous Disney attractions throughout the night. Disney Grad Nite at Walt Disney World(R) Resort dates are April 17, 18, 24, and 25, 2009. For more information on the Walt Disney World(R) Resort's event, visit www.disneygradnite.com. Disney Grad Nite at Disneyland(R) Resort dates are May 14, 21, 28, and June 4, 10, 11, 18, 2009. For more information on Disneyland(R) Resort's event visit www.disneylandgradnite.com.

About Natasha Bedingfield

Natasha Bedingfield is the biggest UK female pop star in the US. Her newest album "Pocketful of Sunshine" has spawned the platinum single hits "Love Like This (featuring Sean Kingston,) the title track "Pocketful Of Sunshine," and the newly released "Angel" which is already racing up the charts. This success follows Natasha's 2006 Grammy Nominated "Unwritten" and totals nearly 6 Million units worldwide. Natasha has been confirmed as the main support for the upcoming New Kids On The Block reunion tour which will carry her to the new year. She has a viral footprint of nearly 50 Million and climbing with no signs of slowing down.

*Limited to 300 students and 30 chaperones.

Source: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

CONTACT: Jasmine Madatian, Senior Vice President, Publicity,
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures/Burbank, +1-818-560-5610; Paul Armstrong,
MySpace, +1-310-969-2129, paarmstrong@myspace.com

Web site: http://www.disneylandgradnite.com/
http://www.disneygradnite.com/
http://www.myspace.com/hsm3

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Profile: International Entertainment