Pepsi Heads into NBA All-Star Weekend with the Release of New Uncle Drew Content and Launch of UncleDrew.com
Pop-Up Shop in New Orleans During All-Star Festivities to Showcase Newly Released Merchandise
PURCHASE, N.Y., Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Everyone's favorite Uncle is back. The beloved elderly alter ego "Uncle Drew," played by Cleveland Cavaliers star Kyrie Irving, is returning to school fans on basketball commentary with the release of a new "Uncle Drew" clip called All-Star Game. The content is available on the all-new UncleDrew.com which is fully available tomorrow at the start of NBA All-Star Weekend. Fans were able to preview the site at the beginning of February for a glimpse of the digital one-stop-shop for all things Uncle Drew. Fans will now have full access to exclusive Uncle Drew merchandise, behind-the-scenes footage of the cast's character transformations and the catalogue of Uncle Drew episodes to date.
The vignette features Irving and returning co-stars including former two-time NBA All-Star Baron Davis as "Louis," and actor JB Smoove as "Angelo." The storyline picks up from the chapter four prequel with all three characters hanging out in their neighborhood pizza parlor engaging in their signature back and forth banter about basketball. New Uncle Drew shorts will be released throughout the rest of this year's NBA season.
"With fresh and exciting content, Pepsi will look to reignite the courtside excitement around Uncle Drew and continue its legacy of rewarding fans with fun, exciting and authentic moments in pop culture and sports," states Aziel Rivers, Director, Pepsi Marketing. "With the availability of brand new Uncle Drew merchandise on UncleDrew.com, we are really able to show the evolution of the Uncle Drew brand which keeps fans connected at multiple touch points both on and off the screen."
Next in line for the Uncle Drew franchise are plans to feature Uncle Drew in a feature length film conceived, developed and produced by PepsiCo's in-house content creation arm, Creators League Studio.
"Every day, we continue to extend the equity of our iconic Pepsi brand beyond the bottle," says Lou Arbetter, General Manager, Creators League Studio. "Today's consumers want to live the brand as much as consume it, and the tremendous success we've had with the Uncle Drew franchise is a perfect example of how we're building ecosystems around our flagship brands. Pepsi and Kyrie Irving are looking forward to expanding the Uncle Drew universe. We are excited for the recent launches of both UncleDrew.com and a corresponding merchandise line, and can confirm there are plans to feature Uncle Drew in a feature length film."
Uncle Drew will return to New Orleans at this year's NBA All-Star Weekend for an Uncle Drew pop-up shop as the ultimate fan experience. The space, modeled after Uncle Drew's favorite local pizza joint, will feature never-before-seen Uncle Drew merchandise not available online, Uncle Drew themed menu items and fan meet-and-greet opportunities with Baron Davis, Dr. J, J.B. Smoove along with other special basketball greats. Pepsi's longtime media partner iHeartMedia will also be on-site equipping fans with music, Uncle Drew prizes, giveaways and more with famed radio personalities DJ Envy and DJ Poppa.
For more information visit http://www.uncledrew.com and #UncleDrew to join the conversation.
About PepsiCo:
PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated more than $63 billion in net revenue in 2015, driven by a complementary food and beverage portfolio that includes Frito-Lay, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Quaker and Tropicana. PepsiCo's product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and beverages, including 22 brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales.
At the heart of PepsiCo is Performance with Purpose – our goal to deliver top-tier financial performance while creating sustainable growth and shareholder value. In practice, Performance with Purpose means providing a wide range of foods and beverages from treats to healthy eats; finding innovative ways to minimize our impact on the environment and reduce our operating costs; providing a safe and inclusive workplace for our employees globally; and respecting, supporting and investing in the local communities where we operate. For more information, visit www.pepsico.com.
SOURCE PepsiCo
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