The cryptic caper of the World Music Awards at Marlins Park solved--sort of

UPDATE: On December 17, we heard from Mark Young, a past World Music Awards producer and publicist for Jennifer Lopez and Earth, Wind & Fire, both listed on the below press release, who told us, "Neither Jennifer or EWF are confirmed to participate on the show. Jennifer has a sold out concert in Puerto Rico as the final stop for her Dance Again World Tour on Dec 22. The show has been sold-out for months. An offer has been made to Earth, Wind & Fire by the organization, but nothing as been confirmed." This confirms our own suspicions as written in the original post that begins here and ends with a copied and pasted press release sent to us over the weekend:

On Wednesday, it was announced that the eurocentric World Music Awards, which usually take place in Monaco, would be held on Thursday, December 20 at Marlins Park of all places, a far cry from the aforementioned Principality. Just two weeks away, and not a single headliner has been announced. Shortly thereafter, the WMA website was down (and is still down a day later), allegedly due to the enormous amount of fan voting, according to the WMA's official Twitter account. Marlins Park tweeted that tickets went on sale at 10 a.m. Thursday. But for what? Who are people paying to see? According to Vanessa Menkes, Opium Group's Senior VP of Communications, "We were offered the afterparty for 500k with no confirmed talent." Strange. Very strange. Besides that, all we heard regaring this bizarre awards show was the same sound you hear during a typical Marlins game--crickets.

We did reach out to Monaco, specifically to Christiane Cane, Deputy Head of Press Department at Monte-Carlo SBM - Hotels & Casinos, who told us that yes, "The World Music Awards were organised for many years in the Principality," but had no further information on what it's doing in Miami. Cane directed us to WMA co-founder and executive producer John Martinotti, whom we emailed and have yet to hear back.

Today, we finally heard back from someone a little closer to home--Brandi Kolosky, the Miami-based Public Relations & Marketing Director of the WMA, whose employer, Crystal Custom Eyewear, is the show's co-producer. "The release will be sent out tomorrow once the managers of talent approve details, as I am sure you know, celebrities like the perfect timing to take place." We asked Kolosky why everything seems so last minute and why the show is in Miami instead of France and she said, "Last minute with the announcement is due to the change in location because the World Music Awards' message every year that they try to get across is one of peace and helping others, so therefore Hurricane Sandy victims are important as well as building a second WMA orphanage for children in Haiti." Um, ok. Stay tuned for the list of headliners. This should be interesting.

Update: The date has been changed to December 22 and, at long last, a press release, here in its bizarre entirety

WORLD MUSIC AWARDS JOINS FORCES WITH THE HAITIAN GOVERNMENT TO RAISE MONEY FOR SANDY VICTIMS

The World Music Awards will hold its 22^nd Annual Awards Ceremony at the State-of-the-art-Venue, Marlins Park, Honoring the Best-Selling, Most Popular Recording Artists

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Miami, FL - December 13, 2012) The countdown to the 2012 World Music Awards has begun, and on December 22, 2012, World Music Awards will stage the biggest international Awards show in Miami, and raise money for Sandy victims in Haiti. The show is being labeled the “Ultimate International Event of the Year” and will be beamed to 180 countries reaching a billion viewers while bringing awareness to the beautiful island of Haiti and the difficulties it is facing after Storm Sandy and the Earthquake.

Never before has an award show been staged in such a huge venue, Marlins Park in Miami, FL, a state-of-the-art ballpark with a seating capacity of over 37,000. With its incredible retractable roof and breathtaking view overlooking the downtown Miami skyline, Marlins Park is the perfect setting for the only music award ceremony that recognizes world-class talent from every continent.

The World Music Awards are determined by the fans themselves, who vote and buy the records, not through an industry panel or jury. In just 8 days, the world’s best-selling, most popular artists from each and every continent will be honored at the most anticipated international music event of the year. JENNIFER LOPEZ has already confirmed her support for the cause and will receive a special World Music Award and also enter into the Guinness World Records for having the Most Viewed Female Video of All Time, “On the Dance Floor.” TONY BENNETT, the legendary Jazz Icon, will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award on the big night for his incredible record sales and outstanding contribution to music. He will perform one of his Latin duets with a surprise guest star. GLORIA ESTEFAN, the queen of Miami, will also be honored for her large impact to the music industry. EARTH, WIND & FIRE will receive a Legend Award for their exceptional influence to Soul & Funk. Also confirmed to perform live in Miami is five-time Grammy nominee, Miguel, Hip Hop sensation, PUSHA T, the latest British R & B superstar LABRINTH, Israel rock star, ASAF AVIDAN, African icon, DBANJ, Brazil’s number one act, MICHEL TELO, Italian pop idol, TIZIANO FERRO, French rap star, BOOBA, Malaysian pop diva, SHILA AMZAH and Chinese superstar, HAN GENG. Miami based N.E.R.D., who are big supporters of Haiti and the World Music Awards, as having performed in 2010, will be there in full-force on the big night. More artists will be released on a daily basis leading up to the show.

The World Music Awards has an incredible history, with past performers that include, Beyoncé, Rihanna, Kanye West, Usher, Alicia Keys, Pink, Shakira, Christina Aguilera, Mariah Carey, Maroon 5, Enrique Iglesias, Bon Jovi, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Celine Dion, Whitney Houston and many others. “We are delighted to bring the 2012 World Music Awards to the most exciting multi- cultural city in America and we are even more honored to be working with Ms. Bernice Fidelia, Director of the Diaspora Liaison for Haitian President, Michel J. Martelly. The Ambassador is rallying artist support and is promoting the sale of tickets which will go to benefit the construction of a World Music Awards orphanage. Of all the places hit by Storm Sandy, Haiti suffered the most and there are still 300,000 without lodging. World Music Awards mission is to bring relief to those in need and our orphanage will provide shelter for many homeless children,” states John Martinotti, Co-Founder & Executive Producer. The WMA’s has an amazing track record of helping those less fortunate around the world and since its inception in 1989, 23 hospitals, schools and orphanages have been built. (see charity endeavors on worldmusicawards.com)

Producer - Jason Shepherd and Co-producer - Bruce Coustillas

About Marlins Park: Marlins Park is located in the heart of Miami, on the historic Orange Bowl site. The ballpark features an open 360-degree Promenade Level, giving fans a live view of the playing field no matter where they are, as well as incredible food options at The Clevelander, Taste of Miami, concessions and shops on the West Plaza. Marlins Park represents the next generation of ballparks. Its curvilinear shape and contemporary design renders Marlins Park an innovative structure veering far from the traditional. A leader in environmental design, Marlins Park features a state-of-the-art retractable roof and six operable glass panels overlooking the downtown Miami skyline. The pioneering design of Marlins Park will set the tone for ballparks to come. Please visit marlins.com for more information.

Tickets: To purchase tickets and/or reserve parking, go to marlins.com, call 877.MARLINS, or visit the Marlins box office, open Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM until 5:00 PM, and on Saturday from 10:00 AM until 3:00 PM

Comments

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Super excited!

Posted by: Brandi | December 07, 2012 at 08:28 PM

For info, the WMAs have, in the past ten years, been held in Las Vegas (Thomas and Mack Center), Hollywood (Kodak Theater), London (Earls Court stadium), and Monaco. It's true they were "born in Monaco", but the increased internationalization of the actual show is not something new. It's the only awards show that honors artists for their true value - for sales - vetted by the IFPI - and is the only one with real international coverage. There is a big following not only in Europe, but in Asia, the Middle East, Africa, South America, etc.

Posted by: Richard Barnes | December 10, 2012 at 02:49 AM

Also, the fact that artists are not pre-announced a long time before the show is not something new either. Everyone who has ever followed the show knows most of the world's top acts will be there. They love the ambience around the event. I was talking in September with 50 Cent when he was in Berlin, and he told me it was one of the best times he ever had when he went to the WMAs in Monaco.

Posted by: Richard Barnes | December 10, 2012 at 02:52 AM