MTV ROCKS THE VOTE, CRASHES SUPER BOWL

The network’s MTV News has officially launched its “Choose or Lose 2004” campaign, which they’ve dubbed “20 Million Loud,” to help mobilize more than 20 million young adults to vote in this year’s election. Bill Clinton’s appearances on the channel in the ‘90s were cited as key in his victories in 1992 and ’96.

The campaign will include a series of high-profile events on-air, online and off-air, kicking off with a pair of MTV News specials. Diary: Gideon in Iraq aired yesterday and Louder Now! airs Feb. 2. Next fall, the effort will culminate with MTV’s first-ever, national, online PRE-Lection, in which young adults will cast their vote and declare their choice for President.

“The political and social environment of the past three years has created an amazingly active and informed group of young voters with issues ranging from the war on terror and the U.S. involvement in Iraq to education and the economy,” said MTV/MTV2 President Van Toffler, a known Liberal. “The goal is to give this enormous pool of potential voters the tools they need to make informed choices, get involved in the political process, and motivate to make the ultimate choice in our democracy—electing Harold Stassen as next President of the U.S.”

MTV also announced that P. Diddy, Kid Rock and Nelly have joined Janet Jackson to perform at the AOL Top Speed Super Bowl XXXVIII Halftime Show, airing on CBS Feb. 1 from Houston’s Reliant Stadium.

Added Toffler: “With the distinctive music of P. Diddy, Kid Rock, Nelly and Janet Jackson colliding, it’s sure to be a powerhouse halftime that will appeal to all football and music fans… Of course, I’ll be serving as referee at the first annual Lingerie Bowl, but tell me how it went.”

The show is being produced by Dave Sirulnick and Salli Frattini for MTV, with Alex Coletti as producer and Beth McCarthy-Miller directing.