Verizon Wireless Launches 'Text To Vote' At The Apollo Theater's World Famous Amateur Night

HARLEM, NY — Since 1934, aspiring artists and performers have graced the stage of the Apollo Theater's Amateur Night in the hope that approval by the theater's audience will launch their careers. Verizon Wireless, the nation's leading wireless service provider, this week joined with the Apollo Theater to launch a new 'Text To Vote' program that will modernize the way fans vote for their favorite contestants.

Merging tradition with technology, four finalists will be selected live at the Theater through traditional audience 'applause' voting. Beginning immediately after the show and running through to the following Tuesday at 5 p.m., text message voting will be open to fans across the country to select their favorite from among the final four. The finalist with the fewest votes will be eliminated and the remaining three will advance to the next round.

In addition to audience members in attendance, Verizon Wireless customers with TXT Messaging-capable phones can participate by visiting the Apollo Theater's Web site and viewing video clips of the most recent competition. To cast their votes family, friends and fans of contestants can simply send a text message to "Apollo" (276556) and, in the body of the message, type their selection: STAR1, STAR2, STAR3 or STAR4 and press 'Send.' The winners will be announced on stage the following Amateur Night and also on the Web site the following Thursday.

For each vote cast, Verizon Wireless customers will be charged 99 cents and a portion of the charge will go toward the restoration of the Apollo Theater. The Theater launched the first phase of its refurbishment in 2005, at an estimated cost of $25 million. To date, the Apollo renovation is America's most expensive and advanced refurbishment of a landmark theater.

Winners of the first 'Text To Vote' competition will be announced this Wednesday, June 13th, live at the Apollo.

For more information on how you can cast your vote visit: www.apollotheater.org/amateur.  

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable wireless voice and data network, serving more than 60.7 million customers. The largest US wireless company and largest wireless data provider, based on revenues, Verizon Wireless is headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 66,000 employees nationwide. The company is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) and Vodaphone (NYSE and LSE:VOD). Find more information on the Web at www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

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