In VB.NET I use this:
ddlTest.DataSource = testDataSource
ddlTest.DataTextField = "Name"
ddlTest.DataValueField = "ID"
ddlTest.DataBind()
ddlSocialMediaChannel.Items.Insert(0, "-- None --")
ddlSocialMediaChannel.Items(0).Value = ""
Should be the same in C#.
@Dave Kreskowiak - We use it to add a 'None' option to bound drop downs.