Nick Lachey To Kick Off Fifth Lindt GOLD BUNNY Celebrity Auction In Support Of Autism Speaks

STRATHAM, N.H., April 4, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Nick Lachey, television personality, multi-platinum recording artist, loving husband and father, joins premium chocolatier, Lindt USA, to launch the fifth Lindt GOLD BUNNY Celebrity Auction and help raise awareness for autism, a cause close to his family.  Lachey, who is sharing his personal connection to autism, joins the exclusive line-up of nearly 100 celebrities participating in this year's auction by donating autographs.  One hundred percent of proceeds from the celebrity-signed Lindt GOLD BUNNY figures will benefit the world's leading autism research and advocacy organization, Autism Speaks. This year, Lindt will make a matching donation¹.  Now through April 14, fans can bid on celebrity-signed porcelain Lindt GOLD BUNNY figures – from Kelly Clarkson to Sarah Jessica Parker, Tom Brady and Seth Meyers – and give back this Easter. 

"It's an honor to help launch this year's Lindt GOLD BUNNY Celebrity Auction and support a cause very close to my family," said Lachey.  "My younger brother, Zac, was diagnosed with autism as a child, and we're continuously inspired by his perseverance and strength.  Autism affects so many families, and Lindt is offering simple ways to get involved this Easter and help give back."

Ninety-three influencers in the entertainment, food, music, lifestyle and sports industries have lent their signatures to the cause.  Autographed Lindt GOLD BUNNY figures include:

• Adrienne Bailon
• Allison Williams
• Aly Raisman
• Alyson Hannigan
• Andy Cohen
• Becky G
• Blake Shelton
• Bobby Flay
• Brad Paisley
• Celine Dion
• Charlie Rose
• Cheryl Burke
• Clinton Kelly
• Connie Britton
• Craig T. Nelson
• Curtis Stone
• David Ortiz
• Deron Williams
• Donald Trump
• Dustin Pedroia
• Ed Asner
• Ed O'Neill
• Edie Falco
• Evan Longoria
• Family Circle magazine
• Fergie
• George Stephanopoulos
• Gordon Ramsay
• Harrison Ford
• Haylie Duff
• Hoda Kotb
• Holly Robinson Peete
• Jamie Dornan
• Jane Lynch
• Jason Mraz
• Jay Leno
• Jennie Garth
• Jesse Tyler Ferguson
• Joan Rivers
• Joe Mantegna
• Josh Hamilton
• Julianna Margulies
• Kathie Lee Gifford
• Kelly Clarkson
• Kenny Chesney
• Kimberly Williams Paisley & Brad Paisley
• Kourtney Kardashian
• Ladies' Home Journal magazine
• Lance Berkman
• Lauren Conrad
• Lea DeLaria
• Lucy Hale
• Marc Andre Fleury
• Mario Batali
• Matt Lauer
• Mayim Bialik
• Melissa Gorga
• Michael Symon
• Miranda Kerr
• Nancy O'Dell & Nick Lachey
• Natalie Morales
• Nick Lachey
• Norah O'Donnell
• Olivia Munn
• Owen Wilson
• Real Simple magazine
• Reba McEntire
• Regis Philbin
• Ricky Gervais
• Rico Rodriguez
• Robert David Hall
• Roger Federer
• Samira Wiley
• Sandra Oh
• Sarah Jessica Parker
• Sarah Michelle Gellar
• Savannah Guthrie
• Serena Williams
• Seth Meyers
• Simon Helberg
• Stacy Keibler
• Susan Sarandon
• Timeflies
• Toby Keith
• Tom Bergeron
• Tom Brady
• Tom Colicchio
• Tom Hanks
• Toni Braxton
• Tony Hale
• Troy Tulowitzki
• Will.i.am
• Wylie Dufresne

"We're thrilled to work with Nick Lachey to launch this year's Lindt GOLD BUNNY Celebrity Auction in support of Autism Speaks," said Thomas Linemayr, president and CEO of Lindt USA.  "We're touched by Nick's personal connection to autism and inspired by his involvement.  Through a variety of activities both in-store and online this Easter season, Lindt is looking forward to raising much needed funds and awareness for the autism cause."  

In addition to the Celebrity Auction, Lindt is again donating 10 cents from each Lindt GOLD BUNNY, the only bunny that gives back, purchased in the U.S., through April 20, 2014².  Consumers can also join Lindt on its Facebook page, through April 15, 2014, to play the "Build a Better Easter Basket with Lindt GOLD BUNNY" game to trigger varying levels of donations to Autism Speaks and win additional prizes³. 

Since 2009, Lindt has helped raise more than half a million dollars for Autism Speaks.  Through multiple in-store and online activations this Easter season, Lindt anticipates the total donation to Autism Speaks to exceed $700,000.

For more information about the Lindt GOLD BUNNY Celebrity Auction and Easter program, visit LindtGOLDBUNNYAuction.com.  For other news from Lindt, visit www.LindtUSA.com/goldbunny, "like" the company's Facebook page or follow Lindt on Twitter.  For more information about Autism Speaks, visit www.AutismSpeaks.org.

About Lindt & Sprungli
With nearly 170 years of history and Swiss tradition, Lindt & Sprungli is a global leader in the premium chocolate category, offering high quality products in more than 120 countries. Lindt & Sprungli operates eight production facilities in Europe and the United States and employs more than 9,000 worldwide.  Lindt USA operates more than 50 retail stores in the U.S. and maintains wide distribution through extensive retail and wholesale channels.  For more information on Lindt, visit www.lindt.com.  

About Autism
Autism is a general term used to describe a group of complex developmental brain disorders – autism spectrum disorders – caused by a combination of genes and environmental influences.  These disorders are characterized, in varying degrees, by communication difficulties, social and behavioral challenges, as well as repetitive behaviors.  An estimated 1 in 68 children in the U.S. is on the autism spectrum.

About Autism Speaks
Autism Speaks is the world's leading autism science and advocacy organization.  It 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.  Autism Speaks was founded in February 2005 by Suzanne and Bob Wright, the grandparents of a child with autism.  Mr. Wright is the former vice chairman of General Electric and chief executive officer of NBC and NBC Universal.  Since its inception, Autism Speaks has committed nearly $200 million to research and developing innovative resources for families.  Each year Walk Now for Autism Speaks events are held in more than 100 cities across North America.  On the global front, Autism Speaks has established partnerships in more than 40 countries on five continents to foster international research, services and awareness.  To learn more about Autism Speaks, please visit www.autismspeaks.org.

¹ Lindt will donate up to $20,000 to Autism Speaks to match proceeds from sales of celebrity-signed Lindt GOLD BUNNY figures from April 4-14, 2014.
² Lindt will donate 10 cents to Autism Speaks for every Lindt GOLD BUNNY purchased from February to April 20, 2014, up to $100,000. 
³ Lindt will donate up to $12,500 for each Autism Speaks puzzle piece found from March 25-April 15, 2014 in the "Build a Better Easter Basket with Lindt GOLD BUNNY" Facebook game

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140404/NE98705

SOURCE Lindt USA