Dunkin' Donuts Unveils Winner of Its Second Annual "Donut Art" Competition in the New York Tri-State Area*

NEW YORK, Sept. 6, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Dunkin' Donuts, America's all-day, everyday stop for coffee and baked goods, has brought back its exciting "Donut Art" competition in the New York Tri-State area*. Local artists were challenged to create original pieces of art depicting Dunkin' Donuts' iconic donut. Eight finalist designs were selected and will be featured in more than 1,500 regional Dunkin' Donuts restaurants. Beginning today, the winning design will be featured on a limited-edition half-dozen donut box during the promotion that runs through September.

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110224/NY53806LOGO )

This year's winning design is the work of Middletown, New York resident, Ernesto Cortes of SUNY Orange in Middletown, NY – a 20-year-old second year student majoring in Visual Communications, who one day hopes to become a graphic designer. In addition to his design being featured on a limited-edition half-dozen donut box, a $5,000 grant will be awarded to the SUNY Orange Arts and Communication Department during a ceremony at a Dunkin' Donuts restaurant.

"Oh wow, I was definitely not expecting to be chosen," said the surprised Cortes when asked how he felt about his design being featured in-store. "I guess I'll have an even better reason to buy a box of my favorite Dunkin' Donuts Jelly Donuts!"

Cortes' artwork is a graphic design depicting a humorous Dunkin' Donuts restaurant scene featuring a Chocolate Sprinkled Donut drinking a cup of Dunkin' Donuts coffee accompanied by a cup of Dunkin' Donuts coffee enjoying a Donut! The graphic design's background incorporates the signature Dunkin' Donuts pink and orange colors.

Dunkin' Donuts launched the program last year, in the New York Tri-state area*, to celebrate the brand's 60th birthday. This year's program once again gave students the creative license to produce original designs using the iconic Dunkin' Donuts donut as inspiration.

The artwork will be featured on an in-store window poster in regional Dunkin' Donuts restaurants. In addition to Cortes' winning design, seven other artists' work will be featured, including:

• Meghan Maney of SUNY Orange County Community College in Middletown, NY
• Tyler De la Torre of Molloy College in Rockville Centre, NY
• Soohyun Hwang of Rutgers University in Newark, NJ
• Anna Pietrocola of William Paterson University in Wayne, NJ
• Ryan Sherry of Monmouth University in West Long Branch, NJ
• Brielle Wilson of Monmouth University in West Long Branch, NJ
• Lynda Youmans of the Barrett Art Center in Poughkeepsie, NY

Designs were judged by a panel of regional Dunkin' Donuts franchisees and members of the field marketing team. The artwork was judged on the following criteria: creativity in design, use of Dunkin' Donuts signature pink and orange colors and inspiration of the iconic donut.  

"We are very excited to bring the 'Donut Art' program back to the New York Tri-State area* for a second year. This is a unique way to spotlight local artists and we were amazed by the creativity they showed in their designs," said Missy Maio, Manager of Field Marketing for Dunkin' Donuts in the Central Atlantic Region. "Our guests will be able to enjoy our delicious donuts and some great local artwork as well."

Dunkin' Donuts has led the donut category for more than 60 years, selling 5.3 million donuts and Munchkins® donut hole treats every day.  Dunkin' Donuts throughout the United States offers more than 70 varieties of donuts, including beloved flavors such as Boston Kreme, Glazed and Chocolate Frosted.  

*Participating restaurants include those in the following counties:

New York: Bronx, Dutchess, Kings, Nassau, New York, Orange, Putnam, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, Suffolk, Sullivan, Ulster, Westchester

New Jersey: Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union, Warren

Connecticut: Fairfield

About Dunkin' Donuts

Founded in 1950, Dunkin' Donuts is America's favorite all-day, everyday stop for coffee and baked goods. Dunkin' Donuts is a market leader in the regular/decaf coffee, iced coffee, hot flavored coffee, donut, bagel and muffin categories. Dunkin' Donuts has earned the No. 1 ranking for customer loyalty in the coffee category by Brand Keys for five years running. The company has more than 9,700 restaurants in 31 countries worldwide. In 2010, Dunkin' Donuts' global system-wide sales were $6 billion. Based in Canton, Mass., Dunkin' Donuts is a subsidiary of Dunkin' Brands Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: DNKN). For more information, visit www.DunkinDonuts.com.  

CONTACT:
Jim Furrer
212-994-7559
[email protected]

SOURCE Dunkin' Donuts