Clear Channel is bringing its successful iHeartRadio Music Festival back to the MGM Grand in Vegas for its third year, it was announced today. The festival will again include a “star search,” dubbed the Macy’s iHeart Radio Rising Star campaign, with 25 new or emerging artists competing through the year to play the alongside the fest’s big acts, which have previously included Lil Wayne, Taylor Swift, Enrique Iglesias, Swedish House Mafia, among many others. No lineup has yet been announced for the festival.

“The return of Macy’s iHeartRadio Rising Star campaign is a testament to Clear Channel’s ability to resonate with our listeners, introducing them to new music from across the country and showcasing emerging talent in their local communities. We are thrilled with our partnership with Macy’s and through the power of our multimedia platforms and national reach, we will yet again provide emerging artists with nationwide exposure and the ability to rally their hometowns to support them in their drive to stardom,” said Tim Castelli, president of national sales, marketing and partnerships at Clear Channel Media and Entertainment in a statement. Fans can begin voting for artists on April 1.

Clear Channel is also continuing with the previous years’ “Road to Vegas” campaign, which awarded hundreds of fans trips to the event, and will promote the campaign through the company’s 850 radio stations, websites and social media through the summer.

“The iHeartRadio Music Festival has become a marquee event in the music industry, showcasing exactly what iHeartRadio offers — the hottest artists and biggest names in music, all in one place,” said Tom Poleman, president of national programming platforms for Clear Channel Media and Entertainment.

In today’s release, Clear Channel claims that the festival generated “more than 1 billion social impressions and more than 50 million text-to-win contest entries.” [Billboard.biz]