2006 MTV Video Music Awards

MTV has turned up the heat for the “2006 MTV Video Music Awards� with the addition of Hamish Hamilton, Ian Stewart and Summer Strauch to the producing team, it was announced today by Christina Norman, President, MTV. Mr. Hamilton is set to produce and direct.

Mr. Stewart and Ms. Strauch have been tapped to produce this year’s music spectacular. Dave Sirulnick and Salli Frattini will return as Executive Producers. The 23rd annual awards show will air live from Radio City Music Hall on Thursday, August 31st at 8PM (ET/PT).

"I am so happy that Hamish, Ian and Summer are at the helm of the VMAs," said CN "They love music, have incredible energy and are bringing amazing new ideas to the show. From the stage to the performances to comedy, this team is shaking things up this year."

Mr. Hamilton is at the peak of his creative career. His Grammy nomination for staging and filming the Robbie Williams Rat Pack Flick 'Live At the Albert' compliments his numerous international prizes for direction and creative staging. He has directed and or produced over thirty 'Concert' DVD's, countless TV Award shows and staged productions all over the globe. The re-invention of the MTV Europe Music Awards in 2003 catapulted him into a new creative career - staging large events for both Television and Theatre. Most recently his work filming Peter Gabriel, Simply Red, Coldplay and the 2006 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show has drawn praise and respect from all quarters. Mr. Hamilton has worked with music icons, Madonna, Jennifer Lopez, U2, and Usher.

Mr. Stewart brings forth his diverse and creative expertise to this year’s awards show. As the Done and Dusted co-founder and Executive in Charge of Events, he has worked with most of the major artists in the world such as Madonna, Britney Spears, and Peter Gabriel. From devising and staging the 2006 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show to working with Robbie Williams at Knebworth (the biggest concert in UK history), Mr. Stewart has been acknowledged with many awards, including two Grammy nominations. Before “Done and Dusted,� he worked at the BBC as a Producer and Production Executive.

Ms. Strauch is no stranger to the VMAs. She started as a production assistant in 1994 and has co-produced the past four VMAs, and this year she will be taking on an expanded role as producer. For the past five years, Ms. Strauch has had extensive experience at MTV as a Supervising Producer for most of the network’s flagship events. Her innovative eye for capturing the uniqueness of a show has kept her as a key element to the production team. Ms. Strauch has served as the producer of numerous hit series and specials for MTV, such as “Made,� “MTV’s Spring Break,� “MTV’s New Year’s Eve,� “Spankin’ New Music Week,� and “For the Troops: An MTV/USO Special.� Since joining the network as an intern in 1994, Ms. Strauch has been instrumental to the network by relentlessly bringing it to new, creative heights.