MySpace, the popular social networking site, in partnership with MySpace Records and Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), USA, Inc., announced last week the official launch of Rock The Space, an exclusive competition that encourages unsigned bands or solo artists to submit an original song for the opportunity to score a recording contract with MySpace Records, the company’s full-service independent label.
Through July 1st, 2009, aspiring artists across the country can enter the contest by visiting Toyota’s MySpace Music profile.
Kim McCullough, corporate manager for marketing communications at TMS, said the idea for the competition grew out of the longstanding link between MySpace and emerging musical artists.
“MySpace’s origins are in connecting new and emerging artists with music fans. We designed the Rock the Space competition to take that idea to new heights,” said McCullough, who added, “Toyota is thrilled to bring unsigned musicians and the MySpace community this unprecedented opportunity.”
To enter the competition, artists must submit an original mp3 demo. All entrants will have the opportunity to create a viral music widget with an easy embed code to help them spread their music across MySpace and the web. MySpace users can share in the experience by adding the music widgets to their profiles and posting comments on the Toyota Music profile.
In July, MySpace Records will select five finalists who will be featured prominently on the Toyota Music profile and the MySpace community will vote to select the winner. The five finalists will receive a media allocation to promote themselves with MyAds targeted advertising throughout MySpace.
Jeff Berman, president of sales and marketing for MySpace, said that the competition is designed to encourage creativity and provide a venue for new artists to break into the music industry.
“Rock the Space allows the MySpace Music platform to do what it does best – enable new music and new artists to be discovered,” said Berman. “MySpace is excited to offer these artists a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and to take part in their journey from the very first step.”
The winner of Rock the Space will be announced in September and will receive a recording contract as well as a $10,000 musical instrument prize package provided by Fender, the world’s leading guitar manufacturer. The winner’s song will also be available for download on the MySpace Music home page. The four runners-up will win a MySpace Records development deal friends package.
According to J. Scavo, general manager of MySpace Records, the competition will serve as an opportunity for new artists to showcase their talent while also cultivating a fan base at the same time. This, he said, is a role that MySpace Music is especially well suited to play.
“Rock the Space will create an organic and loyal fan base with a vested interest in these artists and their careers by allowing users to participate in the process from the beginning,” said Scavo. “This interactivity between artist and fan has always been a fundamental and differentiating factor for the MySpace Music platform and has led to the success of many of today’s most popular artists.”