Dr Pepper Snapple Group Introduces Let's Play, a Community Partnership Designed to Get Kids Active Nationwide

PLANO, Texas, Nov. 29, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr Pepper Snapple Group (NYSE: DPS) today announced Let's Play, a community partnership designed to get kids active nationwide.  The first Let's Play initiative will be a $15 million, three-year commitment to KaBOOM!, the national non-profit that's saving play by ensuring there is a great place to play within walking distance of every child. Together, through Let's Play, DPS and KaBOOM! will build or fix up 2,000 playgrounds by the end of 2013, benefiting an estimated five million children across North America.  

"We recognize that the key to healthy living is managing calories in and calories out.  Let's Play is an important step in helping families achieve that balance," said Larry D. Young, president and chief executive officer of DPS. "By extending our existing partnership with KaBOOM!, Let's Play will provide the tools, places and inspiration to help communities increase physical activity."  

With the launch of Let's Play, DPS will continue to promote fit and active lifestyles, a key component of ACTION Nation, DPS' corporate philanthropy program. The company will offer a variety of Let's Play grants via KaBOOM!, which will help communities build new playgrounds, update existing playgrounds or keep playgrounds open longer. DPS and employee volunteers will build 40 of the new playgrounds.

"KaBOOM! envisions a great place to play within walking distance of every child in America, and this partnership will certainly help us achieve that goal," said Darell Hammond, CEO and co-founder of KaBOOM! "Dr Pepper Snapple Group recognized the importance of play for the health of children years ago, and we're excited to continue our relationship with them into 2013."

DPS supports the KaBOOM! belief that play helps make children happier, fitter, smarter, more socially adept and creative.  In the past two years, DPS has worked with KaBOOM! to build 13 new playgrounds, giving more than 32,500 children great places to play.  The company completed its most recent KaBOOM! playground in Victorville, California – home of the newest DPS manufacturing plant.  DPS' Mott's brand also sponsored the second annual KaBOOM! Play Day in September.  During the weeklong event, more than 1,500 communities across the nation participated in fun outdoor activities and improved local play spaces and parks.

In addition to the launch of Let's Play, DPS has set a goal that at least 50% of products in its innovation pipeline will be health and wellness focused by 2015. This includes reduced calorie products, offering options with smaller portion sizes and improving the nutrition offerings in its portfolio.  

DPS will also join other beverage industry leaders and the American Beverage Association in placing easy to read calorie information on the front of all beverage packages and company-owned vending machines, as well as on or adjacent to company-owned fountain equipment.  The Clear on Calories program supports First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move initiative to combat childhood obesity.  The Let's Play partnership between DPS and KaBOOM! complements this effort by encouraging kids to get active outside.

More information about how communities nationwide can join the Let's Play initiative will be available in January 2011.

About Dr Pepper Snapple Group

Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Inc. (NYSE: DPS) is the leading producer of flavored beverages in North America and the Caribbean.  Our success is fueled by more than 50 brands that are synonymous with refreshment, fun and flavor.  We have 6 of the top 10 non-cola soft drinks, and 9 of our 12 leading brands are No. 1 in their flavor categories.  In addition to our flagship Dr Pepper and Snapple brands, our portfolio includes Sunkist soda, 7UP, A&W, Canada Dry, Crush, Mott's, Squirt, Hawaiian Punch, Penafiel, Clamato, Schweppes, Venom Energy, Rose's and Mr & Mrs T mixers. To learn more about our iconic brands and Plano, Texas-based company, please visit www.drpeppersnapple.com.  

About KaBOOM!

Headquartered in Washington, D.C., KaBOOM! is a national non-profit organization dedicated to saving play. Through community building, the company is focused on giving every child in America a great place to play within walking distance. Since 1996, KaBOOM! has used its innovative community-build model to bring together business and community interests to construct more than 1,900 new playgrounds, skate parks, sports fields and ice rinks across North America. KaBOOM! also offers a variety of resources, including an online community, free online trainings, grants, publications and the KaBOOM! National Campaign for Play, which includes Playful City USA and Playmakers – a national network of individual advocates for play. KaBOOM! has offices in Chicago and San Mateo, Calif. For more information, visit www.kaboom.org.

SOURCE Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Inc.