Lindt Partners with Holly Robinson Peete to Launch 2012 LINDT GOLD BUNNY Celebrity Auction

STRATHAM, N.H., March 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- In celebration of the LINDT GOLD BUNNY, the bunny that gives back, premium Swiss chocolatier Lindt is kicking off Easter one month early with the 2012 LINDT GOLD BUNNY Celebrity Auction.  Today, on LINDT GOLD BUNNY Day, autism advocate Holly Robinson Peete is joining representatives from Lindt and Autism Speaks in New York to officially open the bidding and to honor the 60th anniversary of this iconic product.  Through March 18, 2012, fans will be able to bid on any of the 75 celebrity-autographed, porcelain LINDT GOLD BUNNY figures by visiting LindtGoldBunnyAuction.com – with 100 percent of auction proceeds benefitting Autism Speaks.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120308/NE67296 )

"It is an honor to help launch the LINDT GOLD BUNNY Celebrity Auction," said Peete.  "As the parent of a child with autism, I've dedicated my life to helping families navigate the journey through autism and erase the stigma of the disorder.  Giving friends and family a LINDT GOLD BUNNY is just another fun and impactful way to make a difference."

Also teaming up with Lindt and Peete for the auction, which will run from March 8 – March 18, 2012 on LindtGoldBunnyAuction.com, are 75 celebrities who have lent their signatures to raise funds for the cause, including:

"We at Lindt USA are honored to partner with Holly Robinson Peete to kick off the Easter season with the 2012 LINDT GOLD BUNNY Celebrity Auction and to celebrate the 60th anniversary of LINDT GOLD BUNNY," said Thomas Linemayr, president and CEO of Lindt USA.  "We are inspired by her dedication to the autism cause and are grateful for the support from the 75 celebrities participating in this year's auction."

Partnership with Autism Speaks

The LINDT GOLD BUNNY Celebrity Auction is just one way Lindt is commemorating the 60th anniversary of its iconic product.  Lindt will support Autism Speaks again this Easter with a 10 cent donation from all LINDT GOLD BUNNY purchases*, a $2 donation from all Lindt Easter basket purchases, and a $1 donation for every free e-card sent from LindtGoldBunny.com.  New in 2012, Lindt will also donate up to $10,000 for consumers who use Pinterest to express their Easter traditions. 

For more information, visit LindtGoldBunny.com.  Lindt will also be providing up-to-date information about the auction and LINDT GOLD BUNNY throughout the Easter season on the Lindt Facebook page and Twitter handle.

LINDT GOLD BUNNY Day

To further honor the 60th anniversary of LINDT GOLD BUNNY, the bunny that gives back, Lindt has declared today, March 8, 2012, the first-ever LINDT GOLD BUNNY Day.  To celebrate this milestone with consumers, the company will give away more than 30,000 premium LINDT GOLD BUNNY 3.5 oz products to:

• The first 500 customers at each Lindt Chocolate Shop
• The first 500 site visitors to purchase product at Lindt.com
• Consumers who have previously registered for Lindt Chocolate R.S.V.P. parties.

About Lindt & Sprungli
Founded in 1845, Lindt & Sprungli is a global leader in the premium chocolate category, offering high-quality products in more than 100 countries.  Lindt & Sprungli operates eight production facilities in Europe and the United States and employs 7,400 worldwide.  Lindt USA operates more than 40 retail stores in the U.S., Lindt Chocolate R.S.V.P., the company's premium direct selling program, and maintains wide distribution through extensive retail and wholesale channels.  For more information on Lindt, visit www.lindt.com.

About Autism Speaks
Autism Speaks is the world's leading autism science and advocacy organization. It was founded in February 2005 by Suzanne and Bob Wright, the grandparents of a child with autism. Since its inception, Autism Speaks has made enormous strides, committing over $173 million to research and developing innovative resources for families. The organization is dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism; increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders; and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. In addition to funding research, Autism Speaks has created resources and programs including the Autism Speaks Autism Treatment Network, Autism Speaks' Autism Genetic Resource Exchange and several other scientific and clinical programs. Notable awareness initiatives include the establishment of the annual United Nations-sanctioned World Autism Awareness Day on April 2, which Autism Speaks celebrates through its Light It Up Blue initiative. Also, Autism Speaks award-winning "Learn the Signs" campaign with the Ad Council has received over $316 million in donated media. Autism Speaks' family resources include the Autism Video Glossary, a 100 Day Kit for newly-diagnosed families, a School Community Tool Kit, a Grandparent's Guide to Autism, and a community grant program. Autism Speaks has played a critical role in securing federal legislation to advance the government's response to autism, and has successfully advocated for insurance reform to cover behavioral treatments in 29 states thus far, with legislation continuing to advance in more states. Each year Walk Now for Autism Speaks events are held in more than 80 cities across North America. To learn more about Autism Speaks, please visit www.autismspeaks.org.

*Lindt will donate 10 cents to Autism Speaks for every LINDT GOLD BUNNY purchased from February 15 – April 8, 2012, up to $100,000

SOURCE Lindt USA