CMT PARTNERS WITH METRO NASHVILLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO SUPPORT “THE ACADEMIES OF NASHVILLE”
06/18/10
CMT To Work Directly With McGavock High School's Digital Design & Communications Academy
NASHVILLE – June 18, 2010 – Today CMT, along with more than 75 other area businesses, signed in support for The Academies of Nashville, the career and thematic academies being implemented at all 12 zoned high schools in metro Nashville. Lucia Folk, Sr. Director of Public Affairs for CMT was on-hand as Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) administrators unveiled the district’s master plan for high schools, which involves the redesigning of current schools into smaller learning communities. As part of this partnership, CMT will serve as the business partner working with McGavock High School's Digital Design & Communications Academy.
“CMT is thrilled to work with McGavock and MNPS to further Viacom’s commitment to education through the ‘Get Schooled’ initiative with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation,” said Folk. “By joining forces with McGavock High School's Digital Design & Communication Academy, CMT's employees will be able to directly impact the education of students in our community and are excited for this opportunity to better our schools.”
"Put simply, this is a wonderful opportunity for our students," said Robbin Wall, principal of McGavock High. "This partnership will give students direct access to country music industry employees and executives and get a first-hand look at what it takes to succeed in the music industry. On top of that, students will be able to network with future employers, an opportunity that in and of itself is invaluable."
CMT’s partnership with Metro Nashville Public Schools aims to forward Viacom’s commitment to education through "Get Schooled," a five-year national initiative co-developed by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Viacom that creates a platform for corporate and community stakeholders to address the challenges facing America's public schools.
"Get Schooled" is a national platform that connects, inspires and mobilizes people - from policymakers and corporate leaders to communities and kids - to find effective solutions to the problems facing our education system. It provides resources and information, community outreach and creative programming that engage a range of audiences around America's education crisis. Get Schooled's co-developers are the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Viacom, including BET Networks, MTV Networks and Paramount Pictures. The initiative combines the Foundation's deep knowledge of education reform with the power of Viacom's diverse brands to raise awareness about the challenges facing America's public education system.
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The Get Schooled Foundation connects, inspires and mobilizes people – from policymakers and corporate leaders to communities and kids – to improve high school graduation and college completion rates in the U.S. It provides resources and information and creative programming that engage a range of audiences to address America’s education crisis. An independent 501(c)(3) organization, the Get Schooled Foundation’s co-founders include the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Viacom, in association with the AT&T Foundation.
CMT ONE COUNTRY, CMT's pro-social initiative, was launched in the fall of 2005 to promote civic participation and inspire CMT viewers to take action and bring about important change in their communities. CMT ONE COUNTRY partners include Feeding America (formerly America’s Second Harvest), Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Habitat for Humanity, Hands On Network and the USO(United Service Organizations), and Children’s Miracle Network. Led by Advisory Board members President Jimmy Carter, Maya Angelou and General Colin Powell, whose combined service to America is legendary,CMTONECOUNTRY.com aims to offer tools to help anyone start making a difference immediately. For more information visit CMTONECOUNTRY.com.
CMT, a unit of Viacom’s MTV Networks (NYSE: VIA and VIA.B), is the leading television and digital authority on country music and entertainment, reaching more than 90 million homes in the U.S. CMT and its website, CMT.com, offer an unparalleled mix of music, news, live concerts and series and is the top resource for country music on demand. The network’s digital platforms include the 24-hour music channel, CMT Pure Country, CMT Mobile and CMT VOD.
MTV Networks, a division of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), is one of the world’s leading creators of entertainment content, with brands that engage and connect diverse audiences across television, online, mobile, games, virtual worlds and consumer products. The company’s portfolio spans more than 150 television channels and 400 digital media properties worldwide, and includes MTV, VH1, CMT, Logo, Harmonix, Nickelodeon, Nick at Nite, Nick Jr., TeenNick, AddictingGames, Neopets, COMEDY CENTRAL, SPIKE, TV Land, Atom, GameTrailers and Xfire.
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PRESS CONTACT:
Natasha Powell 615.335.8412 natasha.powell@cmt.com
