MUSIC FANS’ VOTES WILL GET TO DECIDE THE WINNER OF THE SPRINT NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR AWARD FOR THE “2011 AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS”, LIVE NOVEMBER 20 ON AB

Fans Can Vote via Text Messaging or at ama.abc.com Beginning October 11
The “2011 American Music Awards” is asking the public to cast their votes for this year’s Sprint New Artist of the Year Award, the only award which will determine the fans’ top favorite new artist who is having a breakout year. The Sprint New Artist of the Year Award will be revealed during the live telecast of the special, airing SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20 (8:00-11:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network.

For the first round of voting, beginning Tuesday, October 11 through Friday, October 21 at 9:00 p.m., ET, fans will be able to determine who will make up the final award nominees by voting via text message from the list of artists available online at ama.abc.com or using their mobile phones at amanewartistoftheyear.com Music fans will be able to vote an unlimited number of times on all available platforms for the Sprint New Artist of the Year Award. All fans can send a text message by using 22288 and the number corresponding to their favorite artist. In addition, votes can also be cast via the internet at ama.abc.com. Standard messaging and data rates will apply. The top four artists with the highest votes from the first round of voting will be the final award nominees of the Sprint New Artist of the Year Award. Voting for the award winner will begin October 24 and conclude during the American Music Awards on November 20 at 9:00 p.m., ET. Corresponding numbers to text for each artist are as follows:

1. Foster The People
2. Hot Chelle Rae
3. The Band Perry
4. Thompson Square
5. Marsha Ambrosius
6. Miguel
7. LMFAO
8. Wiz Khalifa

The nominees were the top new artists based on sales and airplay from December 2010 – August 2011.

About dick clark productions, inc.
Founded in 1957, dick clark productions, inc. (dcp) is a leading independent producer of television programming. dcp produces perennial hits such as the “American Music Awards,” “Golden Globe Awards,” “Academy of Country Music Awards,” and “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest.” dcp also produces popular weekly television programming, including “So You Think You Can Dance,” and owns and maintains one of the world’s most unique and extensive entertainment libraries, which includes more than 30 years of “American Bandstand” footage. For additional information about dcp, please visit www.dickclarkproductions.com

About the American Music Awards
In 1973 Dick Clark created the American Music Awards to pay tribute to popular musicians from various genres of music and to put audiences in touch with the latest phenomena in American music. Since its founding, the AMAs have honored and showcased the talents of some of the biggest names in the music industry. For press credential requests, please go to http://ama.dickclark.com.

About Sprint Nextel
Sprint Nextel offers a comprehensive range of wireless and wireline communications services bringing the freedom of mobility to consumers, businesses and government users. Sprint Nextel served more than 52 million customers at the end of 2Q 2011 and is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative technologies, including the first wireless 4G service from a national carrier in the United States; offering industry-leading mobile data services, leading prepaid brands including Virgin Mobile USA, Boost Mobile, and Assurance Wireless; instant national and international push-to-talk capabilities; and a global Tier 1 Internet backbone. Newsweek ranked Sprint No. 6 in its 2010 Green Rankings, listing it as one of the nation’s greenest companies, the highest of any telecommunications company. You can learn more and visit Sprint at www.sprint.com or www.facebook.com/sprint and www.twitter.com/sprint