AOL Broadcasts Teen Town Hall Discussion with Casts of Broadway’s Spring Awakening & The N’s Hit Teen Series Degrassi: The Next Generation

DULLES, Va.--(EON:Enhanced Online News)--AOL RED (www.beRed.com), the online home for teens, announced today that it will broadcast “Spring Awakening & Degrassi Live Verbal Mash-Up.” The special teen town hall discussion features the casts of the hottest musical on Broadway “Spring Awakening” and The N, the nighttime network for teens, hit series “Degrassi: The Next Generation.” For the first time ever, the casts of both shows joined forces to discuss teen issues including sex, peer pressure, crime, relationships, personal identity, love and young adulthood. The event was moderated by actress and child advocate Rosie O’Donnell and was kicked-off by actor Zach Braff.

“We’re honored to showcase this multiplatform event that combines the online medium with the theatre and broadcast television”

AOL® RED™ was present at New York’s infamous Eugene O’Neill Theater earlier this month to tape the one-hour frank discussion. Teen specialist Dr. Tiffany Brown was also on hand to offer advice, as the casts answered questions from the audience about how both shows relate to current teen topics. AOL RED will broadcast the special starting today and The-N.com will feature a special highlight-clip coinciding with the AOL RED roll out.

“We’re honored to showcase this multiplatform event that combines the online medium with the theatre and broadcast television,” said Jacquie Moen, Vice President, AOL Kids and Teens. “Spring Awakening and Degrassi have an extraordinary fan base and we are thrilled to bring them into the homes of teens that could not make it to New York for this event.”

In an ongoing effort to represent the authentic voice of teens and young adults, The N has launched the second phase of its national research campaign, “The Millennial Values” research study. The N kicked off the second phase of the national study at “The Spring Awakening & Degrassi Live Verbal Mash-Up” Event. All 500 teens participated in the live town hall and answered poll questions via mobile about pressure, self-esteem, identity and love. The results will be incorporated into the network’s larger “Millennial Values” study.

“We’re proud to have created a one-of-a-kind multiplatform teen event where young adults could come together and speak candidly about issues that are at the forefront today and to also partake in The N’s wireless research study,” said Sarah Tomassi Lindman, Senior Vice President and General Manager, The N. “We are thrilled to preview this special on The-N.com and team with AOL to continue reaching teens wherever and whenever.”

About Degrassi: The Next Generation

Degrassi: The Next Generation, winner of both a Television Critics Association Award and a Teen Choice Summer Series Award, is a fictional, dramatic series that tackles tough issues in a realistic way. Degrassi introduces a new generation of kids going through the trials and tribulations of adolescence in the 21^st century at the newly refurbished Degrassi Community School. The series follows Emma (Miriam McDonald), Manny (Cassie Steele), Jimmy (Aubrey Graham), Alex (Deanna Casaluce), Liberty (Sarah Barrable-Tishauer), Spinner (Shane Kippel), Toby (Jake Goldsbie), J.T. (Ryan Cooley), Darcy (Shenae Grimes) and Peter (Jamie Johnston) as they journey through high school, as well as alumni Paige (Lauren Collins), Ellie (Stacey Farber), Marco (Adamo Ruggiero), Craig (Jake Epstein) and Jay (Mike Lobel) as they experience life post Degrassi.

About The N

The N, the nighttime network for teens, is a programming arm of MTV Networks and is currently available in 57 million households via cable, digital cable and satellite television. The N's mission is to be the authentic voice for teens and help them figure out their lives with relevant, topical programming on-air and online at the network's Emmy Award-winning web site http://www.The-N.com. The N airs everyday from 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. (ET). The N and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom International Inc. (NYSE: VIA; VIA.B)

About Spring Awakening

Nominated for a chart-topping eleven 2007 Tony Awards including Best Musical, "Spring Awakening" is a barrier-breaking mix of morality, sexuality and rock ‘n’ roll. Featuring an original score by Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater, with direction by Tony-nominated Michael Mayer, Spring Awakening, currently playing at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre on Broadway, is the timeless story of the pleasures and pains of adolescence -- from uncontrollable emotions and undeniable passions to first loves and lasting regrets.

About RED™

RED™ (www.beRed.com), is an all-encompassing online hot spot for teens offering a wealth of content including viral videos, comics and anime, news, entertainment, games, music as well as easy-to-use tools for blogging and socializing with friends.

About AOL

AOL® is a global Web services company that operates some of the most popular Web destinations, offers a comprehensive suite of free software and services, runs one of the country's largest Internet access businesses, and provides a full set of advertising solutions. A majority-owned subsidiary of Time Warner Inc., AOL LLC is based in Dulles, Virginia. AOL and its subsidiaries also have operations in Europe, Canada and Asia. Learn more at AOL.com.

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