T-Mobile USA Inc. has partnered with The Recording Academy to launch an extensive, multifaceted marketing program to promote the T-Mobile Sidekick.

Building on last year's program, the partnership offers T-Mobile Sidekick customers and music fans the opportunity to be a part of a series of music experiences throughout the year. To kick off the partnership, T-Mobile launched a national consumer promotion called "T-Mobile Sidekick Takes You to the Grammy Awards Sweepstakes," offering Sidekick customers a chance to win a grand prize trip to Los Angeles to attend the 51st-annual Grammy Awards on Feb. 8.

"The academy's strategy is to align itself with leading brands that are innovating in their areas, doing exciting and innovative things, and T-Mobile fits that description perfectly," said Evan Greene, chief marketing officer of The Recording Academy, Santa Monica, CA. "We're extending an already successful partnership.

"Last year we partnered to launch the first-ever Grammy Celebration Concert Tour, our first live music tour," he said. "T-Mobile is a deeply integrated partnership.

"They'll be very involved in Grammy Week -- they are a sponsor of the Grammy Awards and the concert tour."

The prize package includes two tickets to the official post-awards-show party and a T-Mobile Sidekick device.

Five grand prize winners and their guests have been selected at random from entries received electronically and by mail: Ella Valdez of Seattle, WA; Jason Abrahams of Decatur, GA; Vanessa Alex of Long Beach, CA; Daniel Colon of Bronx, NY; and Meaghan Leigh Morin of Cumberland, RI.

"This partnership helps bring the Grammy experience to music fans across the country," Mr. Green said.

"T-Mobile has always extended special opportunities to its loyal Sidekick users, and now that offering includes music's biggest night, offering Sidekick users a truly unforgettable music experience," he said.

T-Mobile also will help sponsor the annual Pre-Grammy Gala on Feb. 7 presented by Sony Music Worldwide chief creative officer and three-time Grammy winner Clive Davis and The Recording Academy.

A Davis tradition for 30 years, the star-studded celebration, attended by artists and VIPs in the music and entertainment industry, will take place at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, CA.

In honor of the celebration, T-Mobile will offer one winner the chance to be the official T-Mobile Sidekick Reporter with an entertainment news show at the exclusive red carpet event, interviewing and mingling with the music industry's elite.

Auditions for the Sidekick reporter will take place on Jan. 31 at participating T-Mobile retail stores in Los Angeles.

T-Mobile and The Recording Academy also will bring back the exclusive concert series launched in 2008, the Grammy Celebration Concert Tour Presented by T-Mobile Sidekick.

The tour consists of exclusive concerts featuring a lineup of Grammy-nominated and Grammy-winning artists from all genres of music.

Details on the confirmed artists and concert dates will be announced at a later date, along with information on obtaining tickets and participating T-Mobile retail locations.

The 51st Annual Grammy Awards will broadcast live on Feb. 8 from the Staples Center in Los Angeles on the CBS Television Network, and will be distributed internationally to more than 160 countries.

U2, Kid Rock, Robert Plant & Alison Krauss and Rihanna are the latest performers announced for the 51st Annual Grammy Awards.

They join previously announced performers Kenny Chesney, Coldplay, Jennifer Hudson, Jonas Brothers, Lil Wayne, Paul McCartney (with special guest drummer Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters), Katy Perry, Radiohead, T.I. and Justin Timberlake, Carrie Underwood, and Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, T.I. and Kanye West in a special performance of their hit single "Swagga Like Us."

Actor Simon Baker (CBS' "The Mentalist"), actor/musician Jack Black, current three-time Grammy nominee Duffy, current nominee Josh Groban, three-time Grammy-winning jazz musician and current nominee Charlie Haden, actor Samuel L. Jackson and Academy Award-winning actress and current Grammy nominee Gwyneth Paltrow will appear as presenters.

With its signature swivel screen and full QWERTY keyboard, the T-Mobile Sidekick family of devices is designed for virtually anytime, anywhere communication.

T-Mobile Sidekicks provide access to e-mail, instant messaging and text messaging, as well as a Web experience enabling access sites such as MySpace.

Established in 1957, The Recording Academy is an organization of musicians, producers, engineers and recording professionals that is dedicated to improving the cultural condition and quality of life for music and its makers.

Internationally known for the Grammy Awards -- the peer-recognized award for musical excellence -- The Recording Academy is responsible for professional development, cultural enrichment, advocacy, education and human services programs.

The Academy continues to focus on its mission of recognizing musical excellence, advocating for the well-being of music makers and ensuring music remains an indelible part of our culture.

T-Mobile USA Inc. is the U.S. operation of Deutsche Telekom AG's Mobile Communications Business and is a wholly owned subsidiary of T-Mobile International, a mobile communications giant.

By the end of the third quarter of 2008, 127 million mobile customers were served by the mobile communication segments of the Deutsche Telekom group -- more than 32 million by T-Mobile USA -- all via a common technology platform based on GSM, the world's most widely used digital wireless standard.

"Our activities with The Recording Academy last year were a tremendous success," said Michelle Webb, spokeswoman for T-Mobile USA, Bellevue, WA. "Last year's tour alone saw nearly 6,000 people across the nation enjoy exclusive performances from music stars such as John Legend, Missy Elliott, Busta Rhymes, Kid Rock, Seal, Sean Kingston and Ozomatli.

"Our Sidekick customers are on the cutting-edge of music and entertainment, so it makes sense for T-Mobile to partner with The Recording Academy to offer special music experiences," she said. "T-Mobile often provides our T-Mobile Sidekick customers with unique opportunities, from exclusive concerts to special giveaways.

"For this particular promotion, we wanted to give five Sidekick customers and their guests a chance to win a once-in-a-lifetime experience to go the Grammy Awards."