Dr Pepper Celebrates Historic Date and 125 Years of Iconic Flavor

PLANO, Texas, Dec. 1, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr Pepper, the oldest major soft drink in America, today commemorates the 125th anniversary of the first time Dr Pepper was served at Morrison's Old Corner Drug Store in Waco, Texas, as recognized in documents filed in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The date concludes a yearlong celebration of the brand's flavorful history.  The soft drink made a big splash at the World's Fair in 1904 and has grown to become one of the most recognized brands enjoyed worldwide.

"This has been a landmark year for Dr Pepper and our fans, highlighting its rightful place in 'pop' culture," said Dave Fleming, director of marketing for Dr Pepper. "A true beverage original, Dr Pepper is the oldest major soft drink in America, and our fans have made us one of the best-selling soft drinks nationwide."

Dr Pepper officially kicked off its anniversary year on the symbolic date of January 25, teaming up with advertising icon David Naughton and legendary rock band KISS to ring the Closing Bell at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). Dr Pepper Snapple Group President and CEO Larry Young and other company executives closed the trading day with the Dow gaining just over 23 points – coincidentally matching the 23 unique flavors of Dr Pepper. Naughton also led a choreographed sing-along of the classic "I'm a Pepper" jingle on the floor of the NYSE.

Continuing the celebration, the brand advertised its Dr Pepper Cherry flavor during Super Bowl XLIV with a new ad spot featuring KISS and tribute band MiniKISS.  And, this summer, Dr Pepper released six collectable cans inspired by the brand's first 125 years, along with a  version made with real sugar. The anniversary cans featured legacy artwork and memorable advertising slogans such as "I'm a Pepper" and "10, 2 and 4." In addition, 12-pack cases highlighted key moments in the brand's history over the last century.

Rounding out the year, Dr Pepper partnered with the king of the deep fryer, Abel Gonzales, to host a 125th anniversary Dr Pepper cake competition at the State Fair of Texas. Gonzales judged the competition, introduced a Dr Pepper-inspired dipping sauce, and deep fried the winning entry to give it his signature State Fair flair.

Dr Pepper also brought the celebration online with an interactive visual timeline on DrPepper.com which highlights the brand's most popular advertising campaigns and invites fans to upload photos and videos to mark their place in the brand's rich history. The brand posted "125 Things You Didn't Know About Dr Pepper" on Facebook and Twitter throughout the year. Dr Pepper now has more than 5.8 million fans on Facebook and over 25,000 Twitter followers.

"The enduring success of Dr Pepper can be attributed to its unique flavor and ability to connect with generations of fans. Fans of the brand view it as an exceptional and refreshing way to express their own uniqueness," said Fleming.

For more information on Dr Pepper and its 125-year history, visit DrPepper.com.

About Dr Pepper

Dr Pepper, a brand of Dr Pepper Snapple Group (NYSE: DPS), is the oldest major soft drink in the United States.  Since 1885, the 23 flavors of Dr Pepper have earned legions of fans that enjoy its unique, refreshing taste.  The brand is available in Regular, Diet, Caffeine Free and Cherry varieties. DPS is a leading producer of flavored soft drinks, marketing Dr Pepper and 50-plus other beverage brands across North America and the Caribbean.  For more information on Dr Pepper, visit www.drpepper.com or www.drpeppersnapple.com.

SOURCE Dr Pepper