For First Time In got milk? History, Real Teen Girls to Become "The 9" Next Milk Mustache Stars

NEW YORK, May 26, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Looking and feeling your best can inspire confidence and empower you to fulfill your dreams. Nobody knows that better than the nine amazing teen girls from across the nation who have been selected by America to don a Milk Mustache and appear together in a national "got milk?®" ad. It will be the first time in Milk Mustache history that "real" teens will star in the iconic campaign.

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110526/AQ09789LOGO)

In February, actress, singer and dancer Julianne Hough unveiled her own Milk Mustache ad and launched a search for The 9 – an elite group of teen girls to become the next Milk Mustache stars and serve as milk ambassadors, having the chance to make a positive impact on their peers across the country throughout 2011. Hundreds of teens from around the country submitted videos showing how the power of milk's nine essential nutrients helps them look lean and strong on the outside and feel confident and strong on the inside.

Julianne and a panel of judges narrowed down the entries to 27 diverse semi-finalists before America voted on the winners per contest rules and criteria. Now, nine teen girls have been chosen as the next Milk Mustache stars and will appear in a national got milk? ad in the pages of Seventeen magazine this fall. The 9 are:

• Michelle Lassen (Philadelphia, PA)
• Bailey Amaden (Little Rock, AR) 
• Allison Freeman (Oklahoma City, OK)
• Elaine Mann (Baltimore, MD)
• Victoria Leggett (Tampa, FL)
• Lauren Zimmermann (New Orleans, LA) 
• Mina Burnside (Nashville, TN)  
• Kimberly Rosen (Salt Lake City, UT)
• Alyssa Collopy (Detroit, MI)

Reach for the Stars – America Chooses The Next Milk Mustache Celebs!

America voted and nine girls from around the country got to experience what it's really like to be a Milk Mustache celebrity – just like Julianne Hough. They were flown to a photo shoot in New York City where they met the other winners from across the country before posing together for their Milk Mustache ad. This elite group of nine girls will continue to make a positive impact on other teens throughout the year via their own Power of 9 blog on Seventeen.com and Facebook.com/BodyByMilk. They'll also have the chance to experience other milk "insider" opportunities, such as attending other "VIP" milk events – and some of them may get a chance to interview an upcoming Milk Mustache celebrity.

Benefits from Head to Toe

As the latest celebrity to don the famous Milk Mustache, Julianne knows that being active, eating right and drinking lowfat milk help her look great and feel confident. Whether it's in a glass, cereal bowl, smoothie or in a latte, milk's an easy way to get nine essential nutrients that support healthy bones, teeth, skin and help build lean muscle.

"It's been inspiring to see all of the video entries and to hear from girls how milk helps give them the confidence to do the things they have always dreamed of," said Julianne. "There are so many talented, confident girls all across the country. I'm so proud to announce the 9 winners!"

Julianne isn't the only one who counts on milk to look and feel her best. Registered dietitian and author of "The Beauty Diet," Lisa Drayer, M.A., R.D. wants teens to know that making the right choices, such as eating nutrient-rich foods and drinking lowfat or fat free milk, can help give teens the confidence to accomplish their dreams.

"The 9 girls chosen really understand the importance of drinking milk," said Drayer. "It's such an easy way to get nine essential nutrients – and it provides so many benefits, inside and out - like vitamin A and niacin for smooth, healthy skin and calcium and vitamin D for strong bones and healthy teeth. And along with exercise, the protein in milk can help build lean muscle to help you be toned and fit. The 9 girls will now have the opportunity to spread this message to their peers to help inspire them to live healthier lives!"

About the National Milk Mustache "got milk?"® Campaign

The Milk Processor Education Program (MilkPEP), Washington, D.C., is funded by the nation's milk processors, who are committed to increasing fluid milk consumption.  The National Fluid Milk Processor Promotion Board, through MilkPEP, runs the National Milk Mustache "got milk?®" Campaign, a multi-faceted campaign designed to educate consumers about the health benefits of milk.  For more information, go to www.whymilk.com. Deutsch, A Lowe and Partners Company, is the creative agency for the National Milk Mustache "got milk?®" Campaign.

About Seventeen

Seventeen (www.seventeen.com) is the best-selling monthly teen magazine, reaching more than 13 million readers every month. In each issue, Seventeen reports on the latest in fashion, beauty, health and entertainment, as well as information and advice on the complex real-life issues that young women face every day. Readers can also interact with the brand on the digital front, with Seventeen mobile (m.seventeen.com). In addition to its U.S. flagship, Seventeen publishes 13 editions around the world. Seventeen is published by Hearst Magazines, a unit of Hearst Corporation (www.hearst.com) and one of the world's largest publishers of monthly magazines, with nearly 200 editions around the world, including 14 U.S. titles and 20 magazines in the United Kingdom, published through its wholly owned subsidiary, The National Magazine Company Limited. Hearst Magazines is a leading publisher of monthly magazines in the U.S. in terms of total circulation (ABC June 2010) and reaches 73 million adults (Spring, 2010 MRI).

SOURCE MilkPEP