Pepsi Celebrates African-American Fathers With Special Booklet Featuring Quotes From Celebrity Dads

PURCHASE, N.Y., June 5, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- PEP | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- Pepsi is celebrating Father's Day and the essential role of fathers and father figures in the African-American community with "Four Weeks For Father!," a free booklet available at www.pepsigreatfathers.com. The booklet features words of wisdom from notable African-American dads, including Academy Award-winning actor Forest Whitaker, Grammy Award-winning musical artist Common, former professional football player Jerry Rice, acclaimed actor Mekhi Phifer and Congressman Jesse L. Jackson, Jr. (D-IL), among others.

Pepsi partnered with the Howard University Division of Fine Arts to gather the four contemporary and engaging images featured in the "Four Weeks For Father!" booklet. Student artists at the university submitted drawings for the project and graduating senior, Nia Lindsey, 22, was chosen as the winner. Nia was awarded the $5,000 grand prize and her designs are featured on the Web site as well as throughout the booklet. Three first prize winners received a $500 gift certificate and are also highlighted in "Four Weeks For Father!"

"We're proud to honor the important role of fathers in the community this month," said Marcus Minifee, senior manager of multicultural marketing, Pepsi-Cola North America. "A number of outstanding men contributed to 'Four Weeks For Father!' and we thank them for sharing their thoughts and experiences."

In recognition of Father's Day, Pepsi is making a donation to the United Negro College Fund to help support the dreams of young men and women. Consumers may also go to the Web site -- www.pepsigreatfathers.com -- to submit essays about their own fathers with the chance to win $500, as well as create a unique Father's Day e-card.

Pepsi is also partnering with the National Fatherhood Initiative (NFI), an organization dedicated to ensuring that all children have involved, responsible and committed fathers in their lives. NFI will help drive awareness of the "Four Weeks For Father!" booklet through its Web site, fatherhood.org, and its weekly Dad E-mail(TM).

The Pepsi "Four Weeks For Father!" free booklet will also be available at a number of retail locations where Pepsi products are sold.

For more information, go to www.pepsigreatfathers.com.

About Pepsi-Cola North America

Purchase, N.Y.-based Pepsi-Cola North America (www.pepsi.com) is the refreshment beverage unit of PepsiCo, Inc., in the United States and Canada. Its U.S. brands include Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Aquafina, Sierra Mist, IZZE, SoBe, Mug, Tava, Tropicana Twister Soda, Tropicana Juice Drinks, Dole and Ocean Spray single-serve juices. The company also makes and markets North America's best-selling ready-to-drink iced teas and coffees, respectively, via joint ventures with Lipton and Starbucks.

SOURCE Pepsi-Cola Company

http://www.pepsi.com

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