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Milk-Bone(R), America's Favorite Dog Snack, Celebrates its 100th Anniversary (That's 700 in Dog Years)!
SAN FRANCISCO-(Business Wire)-January 31, 2008 - A century ago, a New York City baker was barking up the right tree when he decided that his four-legged friends deserved a tasty treat too. Originally created in a small bakery on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, the biscuits became known to millions as Milk-Bone(R) dog biscuits, America's favorite dog snack. In honor of the brand's 100th anniversary, Del Monte Pet Products, a division of Del Monte Foods (NYSE:DLM), today announced that its Milk-Bone(R) brand is treating dogs and their pet parents to a celebration that is 100 years in the making.
To commemorate 100 years (that's 700 in dog years) of bringing smiles to dogs' and pet parents' faces, the Milk-Bone(R) brand announced today that the iconic dog snack will celebrate millions of Milk-Bone Moments(TM) between pooches and their parents in a grand way with the launch of the Make a Milk-Bone Moment(TM) contest. The top 100 Milk-Bone Moments(TM) will be posted on www.Milk-Bone.com and America will vote and determine the favorite Milk-Bone Moment(TM) grand prize winner who will receive a $100,000 contract to serve as the first-ever Milk-Bone(R) 100th Anniversary SpokesDog.
"For the last 100 years, Milk-Bone(R) has been the gold standard for dog snacks. We are thrilled to celebrate this incredible milestone and want to thank the millions of dogs, as well as their pet parents, who make Milk-Bone(R) dog snacks a special part of their lives," said Matthew Park, Vice President Marketing, Del Monte Foods. "At Milk-Bone(R), we understand the special and unique bond between a dog and his or her pet parents. We are launching the Make a Milk-Bone Moment(TM) contest as a way to celebrate 100 years of special, silly, heart-warming, and magical moments with our four-legged friends throughout the years — and we look forward to celebrating many more wonderful moments for years to come."
Nationwide Search for America's First-Ever Milk-Bone(R) SpokesDog
The Make a Milk-Bone Moment(TM) contest will launch on Thursday, January 31, 2008 and pet parents can enter their most memorable Milk-Bone Moment(TM) by visiting the brand's Website - www.Milk-Bone.com. One lucky dog who shares the most memorable moment with his or her pet parent will win the Make a Milk-Bone Moment(TM) Grand Prize — a $100,000 contract to serve as the first-ever Milk-Bone(R) 100th Anniversary SpokesDog, plus a digital camera to record the year's activities. Ninety-nine runners up will also receive a digital camera to continue capturing those special Milk-Bone Moments(TM). Pet parents have until September 18, 2008 to enter their four-legged friends into the Make a Milk-Bone Moment(TM) contest.
Milk-Bone(R) is looking for dogs and their pet parents to show what it means to have a Milk-Bone Moment(TM). Almost any dog can do tricks, but in celebration of 100 years, Milk-Bone(R) is looking for pictures and videos that capture those irreplaceable, special times that you have with your best friend. The contest will recognize the top 100 Milk-Bone Moments(TM), moments of joy that strengthen the bond between a pet and his or her pet parent — a head on your lap when you are snuggling on the couch together, a little dance when he learns you are taking a walk together or even a sloppy kiss on the cheek to remind you how much he loves you.
To enter the Make a Milk-Bone Moment(TM) contest, pet parents are asked to send a favorite video or photo of a special moment with their dog — from the extraordinary to the every day — along with a short essay that explains why the Milk-Bone Moment(TM), is so meaningful to them. The top 100 Milk-Bone Moments(TM) will be posted on www.Milk-Bone.com and America will vote on their favorite Milk-Bone Moments(TM). The moment with the most votes wins.
Attention Pet Parents: Sharing Milk-Bone Moments Each Day Keeps the Doctor Away
According to a new survey conducted for Milk-Bone(R) by Harris Interactive, 97 percent of pet parents report sharing special moments with their precious pooches on a daily basis. And that's good news, especially for pet parent, as research indicates there are health benefits to pet ownership.
"Enjoying Milk-Bone Moments with your four-legged friend is not only a wonderful opportunity to bond — it's a positive step forward when it comes to a pet parent's overall health and happiness," said Park. "Studies show there are significant physical, emotional and developmental benefits to owning a pet that can positively impact the entire family. Owning a pet increases the survival rate of heart attack victims, research indicates that self-confidence is enhanced in children who own a pet, and elderly people who have pets visit physicians 16% less often than those that do not have pets."
Big Plans for Milk-Bone(R) Brand's Yearlong 100th Anniversary Celebration
In addition to the Make a Milk-Bone Moment(TM) contest, Milk-Bone(R) will continue its yearlong celebration with a variety of activities, including:
— Milk-Bone(R) Gives Back to its Canine Heroes: Milk-Bone(R) is celebrating its 100th anniversary with a special donation through the Milk-Bone(R) Canine Heroes(TM) program, a longstanding, national outreach program that provides canine assistance service dogs to individuals with physical disabilities, as well as police dogs for law enforcement organizations. This year Milk-Bone(R) will make a donation of $1 million to provide more than 100 dogs to the Milk-Bone(R) Canine Heroes(TM) program, as well as a significant donation of Milk-Bone(R) product to canine assistance programs across the country.
— Milk-Bone(R) Hosts a 100th Anniversary Celebration in the Big Apple: The Milk-Bone(R) brand is conducting a paw-ful of activities including a star-studded anniversary celebration event to be held in New York City, the birthplace of Milk-Bone(R), later this year.
— Milk-Bone(R) Hits the Road to Celebrate with its Four-Legged Friends: Kicking-off this spring, the Make A Milk-Bone Moment(TM) contest mobile tour will be stopping in 14 cities, nationwide, to bring the 100th Anniversary celebration to the brand's four-legged fans. In addition to giving four-legged friends and pet parents an unforgettable opportunity to interact, play and create new Milk-Bone Moments(TM), as well as enjoy free product samples, the tour will give pet parents and their dogs an opportunity to enter the Make A Milk-Bone Moment(TM) Contest.
For more information about the Make A Milk-Bone Moment(TM) contest and to learn more about the Milk-Bone(R) 100th Anniversary celebration, visit www.Milk-Bone.com.
About Milk-Bone(R)
Milk-Bone(R) is a leading and trusted dog snack brand and markets a complete line of dog biscuits, chewy treats, long-lasting chews and crunchy treats. Since 1908 when the first Milk-Bone(R) Original Dog Biscuit was sold, Milk-Bone(R) has made high-quality dog snacks that excite dogs and their pet parents! Today, dogs wag their tails for Milk-Bone(R) Original Biscuits, Milk-Bone(R) Flavor Snacks, Milk-Bone(R) Chewy Treats, Milk-Bone(R) SteakChew, Milk-Bone(R) Mar-O Snacks(TM) crunchy treats and Milk-Bone(R) Original Dog Treats. For more information about Milk-Bone, visit www.Milk-Bone.com.
About Del Monte Pet Products
At Del Monte, our pet products nourish and enrich the lives of pets and pet parents by providing great-tasting, high-quality and innovative products for dogs and cats and by encouraging them to enjoy an active lifestyle together.
With trusted brands including Meow Mix(R), Kibbles 'n Bits(R), 9Lives(R), Snausages(R), Pup-Peroni(R), Milk-Bone(R), Meaty Bone(R) and Pounce(R), our products enrich the connection between people and the pets they love.
As a premier provider of taste-oriented pet food and pet snacks, our products play a key role in the lives of millions of pet families everyday.
About Del Monte Foods
Del Monte Foods is one of the country's largest and most well known producers, distributors and marketers of premium quality, branded food and pet products for the U.S. retail market, generating more than $3.4 billion in net sales in fiscal 2007. With a powerful portfolio of brands including Del Monte(R), StarKist(R), S&W(R), Contadina(R), College Inn(R), Meow Mix(R), Kibbles 'n Bits(R), 9Lives(R), Milk-Bone(R), Pup-Peroni(R), Meaty Bone(R), Snausages(R) and Pounce(R), Del Monte products are found in nine out of ten U.S. households. The Company also produces, distributes and markets private label food and pet products. For more information on Del Monte Foods Company (NYSE:DLM) visit the Company's website at www.delmonte.com.
Del Monte. Nourishing Families. Enriching Lives. Every Day.(TM)
