Disney Channel Announces south African Celebrity Guests For Road Shows

JOHANNESBURG –  Disney Channel today announced that pop star Jesse Clegg, rapper Hip Hop Pantsula (HHP) and top presenter Pabi Moloi will all appear as celebrity guests at Disney Channel’s My Camp Rock Road Shows. The two mall events, which take place in Cape Town on September 11th and Pretoria on September 12th, celebrate the hugely anticipated original movie Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam, which hits TV screens on September 18th.

Kids and families are invited to the free events where Jesse Clegg, one of South Africa’s hottest stars, is set to delight crowds when he takes to the stage to perform his smash hits. Rap and hip hop favourite, HHP, will share the secrets of his success in special demonstrations alongside other mentors who will teach kids how to perform like Demi Lovato and Jonas Brothers with singing and dancing ‘rockshops’. The event, hosted by radio and TV personality Pabi Moloi, will also feature a variety of Camp Rock themed activities throughout the day including competitions and prize giveaways.

Soon to be revealed special guests will lend their expertise as judges for the My Camp Rock talent contest, where budding stars aged 8 to 16 will have the opportunity to perform a Camp Rock song in open auditions from 10:00 to 12:45 at each event *. The top three acts will be called back later that day to perform in front of crowds at the Final Jam, when a winner from each event will be chosen.

Jesse Clegg says: “I am looking forward to playing to the crowds at Disney Channel’s My Camp Rock Road Shows. The talent contest adds an exciting element and I can’t wait to see the kids perform.”

Born in Johannesburg, pop sensation Jesse Clegg quickly won fans and hearts when he released Today, the first single from his debut album When I Wake Up in 2008. The song shot to the number one spot on the Highveld “Homebrew” Chart, a remarkable achievement for a new artist.

Since the release of his album Introduction in 2000, HHP has impressed critics and fans alike with his unique rap and hip hop style. Over the years he has built up a stunning collection of awards including Best Video at the 2009 MTV Africa Music Awards. His 2009 album Dumela featured a number of hits including a collaboration with US rapper Nas.

Pabi Moloi is one of the star presenters on 94.7 Highveld Radio having won their Hot Jocks talent search when she was only 18 years old. She is also a well known TV presenter appearing on screens as host of M-Net’s glossy lifestyle show All Access and One Gospel.

Since its premiere, “Camp Rock” has reached over 137 million unduplicated viewers, and Jonas Brothers and Demi Lovato are set to rock South Africa in Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam, a full out rock ‘n roll musical that celebrates music, dance and the freedom of summer and reminds viewers to ‘enjoy the journey’, when it premieres September 18th.

The Walt Disney Company (TWDC) is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise with five business segments: media networks, parks and resorts, studio entertainment, consumer products and interactive media group.

TWDC has been active in South Africa for over 50 years. In 2006 the Disney Channel launched on the Multichoice DStv platform and in 2009

was voted the #1 coolest TV channel in South Africa in the Sunday Times Generation NeXt survey. Disney is one of the top distributors of US programming in the region, and brings network series, movies and Disney-branded kids and family content to TV viewers, including top rated US network series on air in the market such as ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ and ‘Brothers and Sisters’.

In 2007, Disney’s film distribution arm is the leader for family movies in the market, enjoying considerable success in 2009 with box office hits such as ‘Up’ and ‘The Proposal’ and in 2010 with the record breaking ‘Alice in Wonderland’. Disney is now also at the forefront of bringing new technologies to the market through classic film titles such as ‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs’ on Blu-Ray and DVD. In 2009 Disney launched a direct to consumer mobile site for consumers in South Africa (disneysa.mobi), allowing tweens and families to access a range of Disney content directly from their mobile phones.

Disney Channel EMEA represents the most successful portfolio of kids’ channels in Europe, Middle East and Africa with 59 channels and/or channel feeds available in 121 countries and in 21 languages*. In 2009, Disney Channel ranked as the Number 1 kids’ channel in 7  countries/territories in EMEA. Disney Channel properties continue to rapidly expand into new markets across the region playing a key role in introducing the Disney brand to new consumers.

Globally, the portfolio of channels under Disney Channels’ Worldwide management are available in 169 countries/territories, with 63 visual feeds, in 33 languages. This represents a total of 94 channels.