Oak Brook, IL--(HISPANIC PR WIRE)--September 10, 2007--McDonald’s(R) today announced details of its sponsorship of the 8th Annual Latin GRAMMY(R) Awards that will bring the spirit and excitement of la música Latina to Hispanic communities and Latin music lovers across the country, and offer consumers an opportunity to experience the Awards ceremony themselves as special guests.

“This year, McDonald’s will celebrate the 8th Annual Latin GRAMMY(R)s in a big way by bringing all the excitement right to our fans in our Hispanic communities,” said Cristina Vilella, Director of Marketing, McDonald’s USA. “Our sponsorship role this year continues our long history of supporting Latin music and providing quality live music events for our customer’s enjoyment.”

In addition to being a major sponsor of the 8th Annual Latin GRAMMY(R) Awards, McDonald’s sponsorship will come alive with three exciting elements, including: the Museo de la Música McDonald’s(R) (McDonald’s Music Museum(R)), a museum on wheels showcasing memorabilia from a variety of artists in the Latin music industry; the Latin GRAMMY(R) Street Parties(TM) featuring performances from established and emerging Latin music artists representing various genres; and a national sweepstakes that will send winners to this prestigious Awards ceremony in Las Vegas.

“The Latin Recording Academy is thrilled to have McDonald’s as a presenting sponsor of the 8th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards, and recognizes its efforts to support initiatives that bring Latin music to the general public through the Latin GRAMMY Street Parties, the McDonald’s Museo de la Música and the 8th Annual McDonald’s Latin GRAMMY Awards Sweepstakes,” said Gabriel Abaroa, President of the Latin Recording Academy.

The Museo de la Música McDonald’s(R) tour will make its way across the United States stopping in Los Angeles, Chicago, Hialeah, FL, Dallas, New York, Phoenix, AZ, Albuquerque, NM, and Las Vegas beginning September 6th. It will feature artifacts from some of Latin music’s greatest stars including Celia Cruz, Selena, Tito Puente, El Gran Combo, Juanes, Maná, Alejandro Fernández, Ramon Ayala, Héctor Lavoe, Israel “Cachao” Lopez and Santana just to name a few.

The tour will include a Gibson Guitar POD Station giving participants a variety of musical demonstrations, and a scholarship station where visitors can obtain information about the RMHC(R) /HACER(R) Scholarship Program.

The Latin GRAMMY(R) Street Parties(TM)& Museo de la Música McDonald’s, feature live performances by established an up-and-coming Latin music artists in a festive outdoor setting in the following markets:

Date                    City                   Location

September 30th          Chicago                Plaza Garibaldi

October 7th             South Florida          Streets of Hialeah

October 14th            Dallas                 Streets of Oakcliff

October 21st            Los Angeles            Olvera Street

October 28th            New York               Streets of Washington

The Museo de la Música McDonald’s will make a special appearance in the following markets:

Date                    City                   Location

September 9th            Albuquerque, NM        New Mexico State Fair at
                                               the NM Fairgrounds

September 15th &16th    Phoenix, AZ            Barrios Unidos Park

The “McDonald's 8th Annual Latin Grammy Awards Sweepstakes(R)”, from August 31st through September 30th, will give ten grand prize winners a trip for two to attend the 8th Annual Latin GRAMMY(R) Awards show in Las Vegas on November 8th. The prize package includes round-trip airfare, hotel accommodations for a two-night, three-day stay in Las Vegas and a $500 gift card. For more information about the McDonald’s 8th Annual Latin GRAMMY(R) Awards sponsorship, log on to www.meencanta.com for updates, to download photos, and for much more Latin GRAMMY(R) information.

The 8th Annual Latin Grammy(R) Awards will air live from Las Vegas on November 8th at 8pm on the Univision Network.

About McDonald’s

McDonald's USA, LLC, is the leading foodservice provider in the United States serving a variety of wholesome foods made from quality ingredients to millions of customers every day. More than 80 percent of McDonald's 13,700 U.S. restaurants are independently owned and operated by local franchisees. For more information about McDonald's visit www.mcdonalds.com.

About RMHC

Ronald McDonald House Charities(R), a non-profit, 501 (c)(3) corporation, creates, finds and supports programs that directly improve the health and well being of children. Its programs are grassroots-driven to enable the Charity to offer help where children need it most: right in their own communities. RMHC makes an immediate, positive impact on children's lives through its global network of local Chapters in nearly 50 countries and its three core programs: the Ronald McDonald House(R), Ronald McDonald Family Room(R) and Ronald McDonald Care Mobile(R). RMHC and its global network of local Chapters have awarded more than $440 million in grants and program services to children's programs around the world.

About The Latin Recording Academy(R)

The Latin Recording Academy is an international, membership-based organization comprised of Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking recording artists, musicians, songwriters, producers and other creative and technical recording professionals. The organization is dedicated to improving the quality of life and cultural condition for Latin music and its makers. In addition to producing the Latin GRAMMY Awards to honor excellence in the recorded arts and sciences, The Latin Recording Academy provides educational and outreach programs for the Latin music community. For information on the 8th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards please visit: www.LatinGRAMMY.Univision.com

About the Latin GRAMMY(R) Street Parties(TM)

Produced by Eventus under the authorization of the Latin Recording Academy, the Latin GRAMMY(R) Street Parties(TM) promote the creative spirit, diversity and artistic achievement of Latin music through a series of grassroots festivals featuring concerts and promotional activities in top US Hispanic Markets. In 2007, the Street Parties celebrate its fifth year anniversary.  

(C) 2007 McDonald’s

Note: GRAMMY(R), Latin GRAMMY(R), the Latin GRAMMY logo and Latin GRAMMY Street Parties(TM) are brands property of The Recording Academy.

NOTE TO EDITORS: High-resolution images are available at: www.hispanicprwire.com/home.php?l=in