Snapple Launches The Celebrity Apprentice-Inspired Teas Handcrafted by Bret Michaels and Holly Robinson Peete

PLANO, Texas, May 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Snapple says, "You're hired" to The Celebrity Apprentice-inspired teas handcrafted by finalists Bret Michaels and Holly Robinson Peete.  Bret Michaels' Diet Snapple Trop-a-Rocka Tea and Holly Robinson Peete's Snapple Compassionberry Tea were created as part of the show's final task and are now available nationwide for a limited time only.  To see a list of participating retailers, visit us online at Snapple.com.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100524/DA09427-a)

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100524/DA09427-b)

Snapple raised the boardroom stakes even further with a surprise $250,000 charity donation.  Not only did each finalist go home with the same prize purse for their respective charities, the American Diabetes Association and the HollyRod Foundation, but their Snapple products will continue to raise awareness for their charities throughout the summer.

In the largest and most extensive brand task in Apprentice history, Bret and Holly worked alongside the Snapple research and development team to develop a new Snapple tea, design the label and name the product.  In addition, they were asked to create a marketing plan that included a 30-second TV commercial and a three-page print advertisement promoting their new tea – all of which were presented at a launch event attended by Snapple employees, distributors and fans.

"Our partnership with The Celebrity Apprentice showcases the love and passion for flavor we have at Snapple," said Andrew Springate, senior vice president of marketing for Dr Pepper Snapple Group.  "We seized the opportunity to challenge the show's finalists to work together and create unique flavors that our Snapple fans will love."

Bret, a lifelong Type 1 diabetic, developed Diet Snapple Trop-a-Rocka Tea to help raise money for the American Diabetes Association and its mission to prevent and cure diabetes.

"Being a diabetic doesn't mean sacrificing a good time or great taste," said Bret Michaels, front man for Poison.  "I blended healthy green tea and tasty black tea with pear, cinnamon and mango flavors to create a rockin' taste with low calories. My new Diet Snapple Trop-a-Rocka Tea is taste bud-tested and rocker approved."

Inspired by the mission of the HollyRod Foundation, Holly crafted Snapple Compassionberry Tea.

"The HollyRod Foundation is very close to my heart - it was started in honor of my father and now helps families in the autism community access affordable treatment and compassionate care," said Holly Robinson Peete. "My new Snapple tea combines the flavors of passion fruit and strawberry with healthy green tea and tasty black tea, making it even better and more compassionate."

"We're always looking for ways to make The Best Stuff on Earth even better and continue a legacy of unique flavor combinations," said Springate.  "Our partnership with The Celebrity Apprentice finalists delivered two great-tasting teas while continuing to support two important causes."

About Snapple

Snapple, a brand of Dr Pepper Snapple Group (NYSE: DPS), is a leader in great-tasting premium beverages. Founded in 1972 by three childhood friends, Snapple got its start in Greenwich Village, New York and is now available throughout the United States and numerous countries worldwide. Snapple prides itself on developing, producing and marketing a wide variety of premium beverages, including ready-to-drink iced teas, juice drinks, 100% juices and water. Known for its down-to-earth approach to marketing, Snapple continues to delight fans across the world.  DPS is a leading producer of flavored soft drinks, marketing Snapple and 50-plus other brands across North America and the Caribbean.  For more information on Snapple, visit www.snapple.com or at www.drpeppersnapple.com.

SOURCE Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Inc.