PLANO, Texas and NEW YORK, April 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr Pepper, MTV, and Epic recording artist Cartel are giving music fans more of what they want this summer ... a first-time, real-time look into the making of the band's newest album during Dr Pepper Band in a Bubble. In what is sure to be the most talked-about music event of the year, Cartel will be sealed inside a huge transparent bubble on Hudson River Park's Pier 54 in New York City from May 24 through June 12, and every move they make will be live for the world to see as they eat, breathe, sleep and record the follow-up to their breakthrough debut album, CHROMA.

Dr Pepper Band in a Bubble, produced by Mediaedge:cia and True Entertainment, an Endemol company, is an interactive multimedia event that will bring new meaning to "up close and personal." Cartel will enter the bubble during a live MTV broadcast on May 24 and stay there with no escape until the bubble "bursts" on June 12. While the band is in the bubble, the drama and excitement of Cartel's recording process can be viewed in-person, on-air and online. Dr Pepper Band in a Bubble Web cams will stream live on http://www.drpepperbubble.com and the event will air as a music special with four 30-minute episodes on MTV, which will also be available on-demand at http://MTV.com .

Andrew Springate, vice president of marketing, Dr Pepper. "We're going to have cameras capturing every moment, from every angle, so the fans can watch it live as it happens. This is going to be a unique experience for the band and their fans and the biggest event of its kind."

"This special event, Band in a Bubble presented by Dr Pepper, will be a fascinating and intimate forum for our viewers to witness the process of creating music first-hand from one of today's most promising bands, Cartel," said Tim Rosta, senior vice president, integrated marketing, MTV. "These unique music specials are yet another great example of MTV's ongoing commitment to deliver compelling and engaging content alongside our advertising partners to present the music and artists that our audience loves in innovative ways on-air and online."

Kevin Sanders, will share the ups and downs of the creative process with their fans -- giving them an inside look at what it's like to make an album from start to finish. The band's new album will be available on July 24 -- just six weeks after the bubble bursts.

Will Pugh. "Making an album is a very personal and emotional experience, and in the past we've never wanted anyone around when writing or recording. But given that this is probably the biggest opportunity we'll ever have to show the world what we're made of, we can't wait to invite the fans into both the studio and our lives."

Atlanta-based Cartel, recently highlighted as a "Breaking Band" in Rolling Stone, is generating major heat thanks to the success of Epic Records debut CHROMA and hit lead single "Honestly." While the song garnered airplay on radio stations nationwide, its companion video went into rotation on MTV, MTV2 and Fuse. In addition, the group -- dubbed "A Band You Need To Know" by Alternative Press -- has blanketed the Internet, winning Yahoo! Music's "Who's Next" competition, nabbing the AOL Music Breaker Spotlight and racking up millions of streams on MySpace. In addition, Cartel performed on TRL, was highlighted on MTV's "Discover & Download," spent the summer on the Warped Tour, made their national TV debut on "

Jimmy Kimmel Live" and appear on the soundtrack to the mega-popular video game, "Madden NFL '07." The band will appear on an upcoming episode of MTV's "Cribs," and just concluded their first-ever headlining tour.

"Cartel has always maintained a special relationship with their fans and this is an opportunity for the band to tear down that final barrier and literally allow their audience a window into the creative process. I admire their courage to do so," said Doug McVehil, vice president, digital media marketing and promotion, Epic Records. "We're excited to team with such creative partners on what's sure to be a truly unique and memorable music experience."

Dr Pepper Band in a Bubble is a multi-platform initiative that reaches consumers nationwide through online and offline channels including television, online, radio, in-store and on select Dr Pepper products. Purchasing Dr Pepper gives fans deeper access to Band in a Bubble, including opportunities to interact with the band, obtain exclusive views inside the Bubble and to download free Cartel ringtones and wallpaper.

Dr Pepper is also offering a sweepstakes for a chance to win a variety of prizes, including guitars signed by Cartel and VIP trips to New York to see Cartel's concert when the bubble "bursts" on June 12. The event will officially kick-off Hudson River Park's RiverRocks summer concert series and will be free and open to the public. Dr Pepper Band in a Bubble will live online at http://www.drpepperbubble.com , allowing Dr Pepper consumers to view unique content for up to 23 continuous days, including the 20 days while the band is in the bubble, and three days of special wrap-ups and outtakes.

Throughout Cartel's days in the bubble, MTV will capture the most interesting and outrageous moments in a reality show format. The show, Band in a Bubble presented by Dr Pepper, will air during four 30-minute music specials on MTV and MTV2 in May and June. The first show will air at 11 p.m. EDT on May 24 as Cartel prepares for and enters the bubble. The final episode will highlight the band's days in the bubble and culminate with coverage of the bubble "burst" concert. Footage from the bubble will also be available online at http://MTV.com , where viewers will be able to check out additional content and episodes on-demand.

Currently being constructed on Hudson River Park's Pier 54 in New York City, the bubble is a 40-by-40 foot state-of-the-art recording studio equipped with everything Cartel needs to record their next album. Designed by international firm TPG Architecture, the 2,000-square-foot structure will consist of 55,000 pounds of steel truss and quarter-inch-thick fireproof rigid fiber glass. Three semi-circular steel arches will loop the bubble and act as light trusses to provide a glowing effect. While in the bubble, Cartel will have access to a custom kitchen and dining room, a casual lounge area and a spa-like bathroom as well as a "Sleeping Bubble," or mezzanine level, which will be a giant pod elevated nine feet off the ground and hung in place with airplane hanger cables, that will house the band's sleeping quarters.

The bubble will feature interactive Web cams that will stream every moment live so fans can watch on http://www.drpepperbubble.com . These cameras will capture everything from the band members' waking moments and creative differences to their jam sessions and appearances by special guests. Special two-way microphones built into the window of the bubble will provide opportunities for the public to speak to band members on a daily basis.

Dr Pepper Band in a Bubble partners include industry leaders such as MTV -- the world's leading broadcast and online music company; Epic Records -- a subsidiary of Sony BMG Music Entertainment; Mediaedge:cia -- Dr Pepper's global communications planning and implementation agency of record; and True Entertainment -- a subsidiary of Endemol, a global leader in television and entertainment.

Lee Doyle, chief executive officer of Mediaedge:cia North America. "Consumers will be actively engaged with Band in a Bubble through many touch points, further connecting with each other through music, television and Dr Pepper."

KFC is also partnering with Dr Pepper Band in a Bubble and, beginning May 7, participating KFC restaurants will offer a special code on in-store P.O.S. materials and large to-go food bags with coupons attached that grant access to exclusive Band in a Bubble content at http://www.drpepperbubble.com , including a free song download from Cartel and a chance to win a VIP trip to NYC on June 12 for the bubble "burst."

Dr Pepper is a leading brand in the beverage portfolio of Plano, Texas-based Cadbury Schweppes Americas Beverages (CSAB), a subsidiary division of Cadbury Schweppes plc (NYSE: CSG). CSAB is one of the largest producers of soft drinks and premium beverages in the Americas. CSAB's brand portfolio includes Dr Pepper, 7UP, Snapple, Mott's Apple Juice, RC Cola, A&W Root Beer, Sunkist Soda, Canada Dry, Hawaiian Punch, Schweppes, Diet Rite, Clamato, Mr & Mrs T Mixers, Holland House Mixers, Rose's, Mistic, Yoo-hoo, Orangina, IBC, Stewart's, Nantucket Nectars and other well-known consumer brands. For additional information on CSAB and its products, visit http://www.brandspeoplelove.com/ .

MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), is one of the world's leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. MTV Networks, with more than 130 channels worldwide, owns and operates the following television programming services -- MTV: MUSIC TELEVISION, MTV2, VH1, mtvU, NICKELODEON, NICK at NITE, COMEDY CENTRAL, TV LAND, SPIKE TV, CMT, NOGGIN, VH1 CLASSIC, LOGO, MTVN INTERNATIONAL and THE DIGITAL SUITE FROM MTV NETWORKS, a package of 13 digital services, all of which are trademarks of MTV Networks. MTV Networks connects with its audiences through its robust consumer products businesses and its more than 200 interactive properties worldwide, including online, broadband, wireless and interactive television services. The network also has licensing agreements, joint ventures, and syndication deals whereby all of its programming services can be seen worldwide.

Endemol (Euronext; EML) is a global leader in television and other audiovisual entertainment. The Company creates premium entertainment ideas and sells them to the world's leading broadcasters. Endemol then produces these shows to the highest standards, creating hits with strong brand value. Subsequently, the company exploits the value of its brands across other media and communications platforms, including, for example, mobile phones and the Internet. Endemol, with its head office in Hilversum, the Netherlands, now has subsidiaries and joint ventures in 25 countries, including the UK, the US, Spain, Italy, France, Germany and the Netherlands, as well as in Latin America, India, South Africa and Australia. Endemol is a publicly traded company on Eurolist by Euronext Amsterdam. For more information, please visit http://www.endemol.com .

Hudson River Park's Pier 54 has been featuring shows with emerging talent for a number of years as part of its RiverRocks concert series. The series started in 2001 and focused on bands that were on the verge of making it big. Since then, the RiverRocks series and the Hudson River Park's Pier 54 venue have continued to grow in stature.

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