Pringles Hits a High Note With American Idol Partnership

CINCINNATI, Feb. 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Pringles(R), America's favorite stacked potato crisp, today announced an innovative partnership with FremantleMedia, co-producer and licensor of the hit television series, AMERICAN IDOL, in conjunction with show creator, 19 Entertainment, marking the first long-term partnership with an entertainment property in Pringles' 37- year history. As a partner for AMERICAN IDOL'S sixth season, Pringles will launch an expansive marketing campaign that will feature limited edition AMERICAN IDOL branded cans, an AMERICAN IDOL-themed 15-second TV spot running during broadcasts of the new AMERICAN IDOL season on FOX, AMERICAN IDOL Rewind and a separate national sweepstakes. Starting in February and throughout AMERICAN IDOL 6, consumers will be invited to live out their AMERICAN IDOL dreams through a series of online and in-store promotions including:

Ready, Set Jingle!

Pringles will launch the first-ever "Jingles for Pringles" contest, a nationwide search for unique expressions about Pringles. Given the rhythmic nature and musical equity of the brand, Pringles will offer consumers the chance to express their passion for Pringles by submitting videos of themselves performing a jingle that expresses their feelings about Pringles.

- Consumers will be asked to submit videos online at http://www.jinglesforpringles.com/ - Twelve finalists will receive an AMERICAN IDOL digital recorder, with a nationwide consumer vote for the ultimate winner - The grand prize winner will receive VIP ticket packages to the AMERICAN IDOL finale show in Los Angeles; package includes hotel, transportation and an unforgettable night of excitement, ushering in the next AMERICAN IDOL - The "Jingles for Pringles" contest has begun on February 26, 2007. Entries will be accepted through April 8, 2007. Visitors to Pringles.com can vote from April 23, 2007 through May 4, 2007. The winner of "Jingle for Pringles" will be announced online May 7, 2007 - Consumers will be asked to submit videos online at http://www.jinglesforpringles.com/ Attend the AMERICAN IDOL Finale

Pringles will introduce limited-edition cans (Original, BBQ, Cheese and Sour Cream & Onion) featuring AMERICAN IDOL logos and show visuals. These limited-edition cans will be on shelf through June, and will promote the Pringles AMERICAN IDOL Sweepstakes, where one lucky person will win a 4-day/3- night trip to Los Angeles for the 2007 AMERICAN IDOL finale. No Purchase Necessary. Official Rules and entry information are available at Pringles.com/us.

"Our partnership with FremantleMedia on AMERICAN IDOL marks a historical moment for the Pringles brand," said Paul Tepfenhart, Pringles Brand Manager. "AMERICAN IDOL reflects all of our brand's excitement and vitality while allowing our consumers to unleash their joy and love of Pringles."

Michele Welch, Director of Integrated Marketing, FremantleMedia Licensing Worldwide, North America, added, "AMERICAN IDOL provides the ultimate in family entertainment and we are always looking for partners that help us complete the experience. This partnership will allow our fans to engage with the show in new ways through multiple channels."

Back-to-School

After the finale, consumers can still get their AMERICAN IDOL fix for the back-to-school season, continuing this promotion. Pringles is offering families an opportunity to get a head start on the exciting school year. Starting in July, consumers can mail in receipts from specially marked 18-ct Snack Stacks to receive a free, customized AMERICAN IDOL backpack. While supplies last. Additional details will be available at Pringles.com.

About Procter & Gamble [NYSE:PG]

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About FremantleMedia Licensing Worldwide, Americas:

FremantleMedia Licensing Worldwide, Americas (FLW, Americas) is the licensing arm of FremantleMedia for North and South America. FremantleMedia one of the largest international creators and producers of program brands in the world, with leading prime time drama, serial drama, entertainment and factual entertainment programming in over 40 territories. FLW, Americas exploits FremantleMedia's many strong brands, including the award winning, American Idol, the world's longest running gameshow The Price Is Right, the ever-popular Family Feud, and other classic gameshows, across multiple off- screen platforms including merchandising campaigns, live events, sponsorship, interactive and wireless support, home entertainment and music publishing. FLW, Americas is also responsible for additional business diversification initiatives including Atomic Wedgie, a pioneering wireless channel delivering original made-for-mobile video content on demand.

FLW, Americas is part of FremantleMedia North America (FMNA). FremantleMedia North America (FMNA) is a division of global media giant FremantleMedia, one of the largest international creators and producers of program brands in the world. Based in Burbank, California, FMNA currently produces some of the most innovative and highest-rated entertainment on television, including Emmy-nominated musical/reality phenomenon "American Idol" for Fox, "America's Got Talent" for NBC, "American Inventor" for ABC, "The Janet Dickinson Modeling Agency" for Oxygen, "Property Ladder" for TLC, the daily syndicated "Family Feud," and the longest-running game show in television history, "The Price Is Right" for CBS.

FremantleMedia is the production arm of the RTL Group, Europe's largest television and radio broadcast company. With interests in 34 television channels and 30 radio stations in 11 countries, RTL Group is a division of leading integrated media and entertainment company, Bertelsmann AG.

About American Idol:

Twenty-two-time Emmy-nominated AMERICAN IDOL is created and executive- produced by Simon Fuller, founder of 19 Entertainment; and executive-produced by Cecile Frot-Coutaz, CEO, FremantleMedia North America, Inc.; Nigel Lythgoe, President, 19 Television; and Ken Warwick, Executive Producer, FremantleMedia North America, Inc.

About 19 Entertainment:

19 Entertainment, Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of CKX, Inc. (NASDAQ: CKXE) , was founded by Simon Fuller 21 years ago and acquired by CKX in March 2005. The company is recognized as a leading creator, provider and promoter of globally successful, music-based entertainment, or "Entertainment Brands."

Simon Fuller, who serves as Chief Executive Officer of 19 Entertainment, is the creator of AMERICAN IDOL in the United States, "Pop Idol" in the UK, as well as versions of the IDOL format in more than 30 countries around the world. Fuller is also the co-creator of SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE, which aired in the U.S. on FOX during summer 2005 and was the top-rated television show in its time slot.

Fuller has made music history in the UK and the U.S.A., producing a stream of No. 1 hits and managing multi-platinum-selling acts. Fuller recently became the world's most successful manager -- breaking a record set by the Beatles' manager Brian Epstein in the 1960s -- when three of his artists occupied the No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 positions on the U.S. single chart as well as the No. 1 position on the album chart.

19 Entertainment has been involved in the creation of 109 No. 1 singles and 87 No. 1 albums in the UK alone, with an impressive tally of 296 Top-40 albums and 465 Top-40 singles.