YouTube today announced its first major music promotion, the YouTube Underground contest, and a major sponsorship deal with Cingular Wireless.

YouTube is calling all unsigned musicians to enter. Bands can submit original videos that best represent their talents from October 2 through October 18 and the YouTube community will vote on their favorite YouTube Underground artists.

“We strive to find unique ways to help our community be recognized and this promotion is the first of many such online events. Becoming a part of The YouTube Underground will help the independent musicians that broadcast to the YouTube community rise up and be discovered as some of the greatest music talents today,” said Julie Supan, senior director of marketing at YouTube.

From the top finalists selected by YouTube community votes, Alexandra Patsavas of Chop Shop Music Supervision will select the best song, best music video, best live performance and best creative work. Patsavas is well-regarded as an award-winning music supervisor for her work on shows such as “The O.C.,” “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Without a Trace” and has recently been counted amongst the most influential people in the music business by Wired Magazine, Advertising Age, Variety and the Los Angeles Times.

“The YouTube Underground contest is a natural extension to what we are already doing in the music space — using wireless technology to connect established as well as emerging musicians with their fans and vice versa,” said John Burbank, vice president of marketing, Cingular Wireless. “We look forward to building our relationship with YouTube and demonstrating our unique approach to mobilizing the music experience for our customers.”

The YouTube Underground Contest Details

Submissions begin for the YouTube Underground contest October 2 and end October 18. Bands are encouraged to submit original videos that showcase their personalities and creativity. Each video entry must include a full song and all contestants have to be U.S. residents.

YouTube, Chop Shop Music Supervision, Cingular Wireless, Gibson Guitar and ABC’s “Good Morning America” are providing fantasy prizes for the four winning bands. Prizes will include:

• Roundtrip airfare and lodging in New York City from November 29 -December 1, 2006
• ABC’s “Good Morning America” will unveil the four winning bands in a live broadcast on November 29, 2006 in New York City
• New equipment for each winning band provided by Gibson Guitar and Epiphone
• Use of the Gibson Guitar exclusive Tour bus while in New York City
• Exclusive photo shoot and interview with top music publication
• Winning video featured on YouTube
• Chance to perform live in New York City at location to be determined
• Chance to have their song featured in major film or television show by Chop Shop Music Supervision
• Chance to have original ringtone available for download on Cingular’s MEdia Net

In addition, YouTube will simultaneously launch a monthly newsletter for its music community. “News from the Underground” will showcase up-and-coming artists and feature promotions, entertaining music videos, YouTube music news, and much more to keep the bands, musicians, fans and labels on YouTube informed about community happenings.