Virgin Mobile USA Presents 2009/2010 Monster Ball Starring Lady Gaga With Opportunities for Fans to Volunteer in Connecticut to Earn Free Tickets to Show

Virgin Mobile USA in November announced its title sponsorship of the current Gaga North American concert tour. The tour, "Virgin Mobile Presents The Monster Ball Starring Lady Gaga," is coming to Wallingford, CT at the Chevrolet Theatre on January 17.

For the first time, Virgin Mobile USA is extending its innovative "FREE.I.P." program to a national tour, offering fans in Connecticut the chance to donate time to homeless youth organizations in exchange for access to a free show ticket. Volunteer sign-up has begun and will run through January 6. Volunteers will earn tickets to the January 17 show.

Virgin Mobile USA's "FREE.I.P." volunteer program originated at Virgin Mobile FreeFest, held this past August. The initiative in Connecticut gives Lady Gaga fans the chance to receive premium tickets in exchange for collecting and assembling "Service Kits" made up of non-perishable food items that can be handed out to homeless youth through Project R.E.A.C.H., operated by local organization Women and Families Center, which provides services to runaway, homeless, near homeless youth, and street youth at-risk for sexual exploitation. This past summer, the "FREE.I.P." program at FreeFest generated more than 30,000 hours of community service by concert-goers.

The volunteer program kicked off with Lady Gaga's San Francisco concert in December and includes all U.S. cities on the tour through January 24. To learn more about volunteering for a free Lady Gaga ticket in Connecticut or to sign up for a "Service Kit" Drop Off Time, visit www.ladyvirgin.com/freeip.

"I'm thrilled to partner with Virgin Mobile on my tour," said Lady Gaga. "They are a great brand and company and I'm really happy to see them encouraging my fans to help out homeless youth and the agencies that provide at-risk youth with critical support."

"Lady Gaga is an incredible performer and cultural force," said Bob Stohrer, Chief Marketing Officer, Virgin Mobile USA. "Throughout the tour, we are providing unique opportunities and experiences to our customers while also extending our popular 'FREE.I.P.' program. Over the past three years, Virgin Mobile has been committed to the fight to end youth homelessness through Virgin Mobile's The RE*Generation initiative, and this is a great opportunity to raise awareness and support for this cause through our partnership with Lady Gaga and The Monster Ball tour."

ABOUT LADY GAGA

Lady Gaga exploded onto the global cultural landscape this year with her massive pop anthems and her fashion-forward aesthetics. Worldwide she has sold more than four million copies of her debut album, "The Fame," and more than 25 million singles, making her music's biggest breakout star of the decade. She is the only artist since the inception of monitored radio airplay to claim four #1 hits from a debut album ("Just Dance," "Poker Face," "LoveGame" and "Paparazzi"). Her next tour, the "electro-pop-opera" extravaganza "The Monster Ball" kicks off later this year and runs through January 2010 and it follows the release of her new album "The Fame Monster."

About The RE*Generation

The RE*Generation is Virgin Mobile USA's pro-social initiative to address the issue of youth homelessness and empower a generation to help its own. For the past three years, Virgin Mobile has been a consistent voice in raising awareness for the more than one million young people living on the streets, fundraising and promoting volunteerism. The National Alliance to End Homelessness will honor Virgin Mobile USA with the 2010 Private Sector Achievement Award at its annual Kennedy Center Awards Ceremony in April 2010 for its significant contributions in the struggle to end youth homelessness. For more information, visit www.virginmobileusa.com/regeneration.

About Virgin Mobile USA

Virgin Mobile USA, part of the Prepaid group of Sprint Nextel (NYSE: S), offers millions of customers control, flexibility and connectivity through Plans Without Annual Contracts, and the new no-contract Broadband2Go Internet access. Virgin Mobile offers Pink Slip Protection, which provides eligible monthly customers who lose their jobs free service for up to three months. The wireless company's smart, stylish and affordable handsets from a variety of manufacturers are available at approximately 40,000 top retailers nationwide and online at http://www.virginmobileusa.com/, with Top-Up cards available at almost 150,000 locations. Virgin Mobile Top-Up cards can also be used for Broadband2Go and Assurance Wireless.

SOURCE: Virgin Mobile USA

Related terms: community, connecticut, contract, contributions, dance, fashion, food, homeless, internet, local, music, nyse, online, partnership, radio, wireless