First-Ever Purina® Cat Chow® Correspondent Identified: Andy Senor Jr., of New York Earns One-Year, $50,000 Assignment to Travel the Country and Report on Cat-Related Topics

ST. LOUIS, May 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Nearly 3,000 cat owners nationwide applied and just one was selected. Purina Cat Chow announced today that Andy Senor Jr., of New York, NY, is the first-ever "Purina Cat Chow Correspondent." As the Purina Cat Chow Correspondent, the one-of-a-kind role will feature Senor reporting on cat-related events and topics as well as interacting with cat owners across the country. The Purina Cat Chow Correspondent is a one-year position that pays $50,000.

Senor will be sent out into the field – just like a news correspondent – to cover interesting cat stories, interview cat owners and report on cat-related events to learn more about the strong connection between cats and their owners. Senor will share his experiences as the Purina Cat Chow Correspondent on catchow.com and Purina Cat Chow's social media channels including Facebook and Flickr.

Senor lives in New York's West Village with his one-year-old Siamese cat, Buster. Senor is a working actor and assistant director for the upcoming off Broadway revival of "Rent." He has traveled the world performing in touring productions of "Rent" for more than 10 years. In addition to his passion for his cat and the performing arts, Senor is an aficionado of Cuban food. He is originally from Miami.

"Andy is a natural story teller. He has entertaining and interesting stories about the adventures he shares with his cat, Buster, that represent the relationship and connection we see with other cat owners," said Vincent Biroscak, Brand Director for Purina Cat Chow. "He's an approachable, magnetic person who exudes a sense of caring for other people and their cats. We think the Purina Cat Chow online community will really relate to Andy and be excited by the news he shares with them in this role."

Senor was one of seven finalists identified from the nearly 3,000 cat owners who applied for the Purina Cat Chow Correspondent position. Applicants shared information about their relationship with their cat, their passion for the position and the types of cat-related events and activities they want to cover. Personality, creativity, uniqueness and presentation skills were also key judging factors.

The seven finalists for the position, including Senor, attended a two-day, in-depth interview in St. Louis for the position. The finalists faced individual interviews; received a briefing on the Purina Cat Chow brand; toured Nestle Purina PetCare headquarters; and conducted a photo and video shoot.

The other six finalists were:

Consumers had the opportunity to apply online for the Purina Cat Chow Correspondent position, or interview in person at one of five Casting Call events, from Feb. 16 – March 28, 2011.

The Purina Cat Chow Correspondent program is part of the Purina Cat Chow brand's commitment to providing cat owners with products and resources that help them ensure the well-being of their cats and show the strong connections between cats and their owners.

About Nestle Purina PetCare and Purina Cat Chow Brand Cat Food

The North American headquarters for Nestle Purina PetCare is located at Checkerboard Square in St. Louis, Mo., where Ralston Purina was founded more than a century ago. Nestle Purina PetCare promotes responsible pet care, humane education, community involvement and the positive bond between people and their pets. One of the leading global players in the pet food industry, Nestle Purina PetCare is part of the Swiss-based Nestle S.A. – the world's largest food company. With advanced nutrition for each life stage, Purina Cat Chow brand Cat Food offers a family of products with 100 percent complete and balanced nutrition for physical health and emotional well being. For more information on Purina Cat Chow, visit catchow.com.

SOURCE Purina Cat Chow