Quaker Oats And The NFL Kick Off New Sponsorship During The 2012 Draft

NEW YORK, April 25, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Today at the National Football League's (NFL) PLAY 60 Youth Football Festival, The Quaker Oats Company, a division of PepsiCo, is kicking off its League sponsorship as the Official Hot Cereal Sponsor of the NFL. Quaker is serving a delicious and nourishing oatmeal breakfast at the two-day festival which helps kids learn healthy fitness and eating habits on and off the field.

At the event, 2012 NFL Draft prospect Andrew Luck will help motivate young athletes to be active and choose wholesome foods. "I make a hearty breakfast, like oatmeal, part of my morning routine to help me fuel up for the day. I'm happy to see the NFL and Quaker team up to help teach families about the powerful combination of good nutrition and physical fitness."

According to experts, eating breakfast gives you a chance to start each day with a healthy and nutritious meal, laying the foundation for lifelong health benefits.(1) Throughout the relationship, Quaker and the NFL will team up in an effort to help families live healthier lifestyles through nourishing foods and physical activity, complementing the goals of NFL PLAY 60. As part of its commitment, Quaker will reach football fans and families through informative in-school and retail programming efforts aimed at raising awareness around the benefits of eating a whole grain breakfast.

"Powering up with wholesome foods and staying active are two key components that contribute to healthy living – athletes and families alike," said Justin Lambeth, Chief Marketing Officer for Quaker Oats. "Quaker is honored to team up with the NFL and proud to serve Andrew Luck breakfast as he gears up for the Draft and shares healthy habits with kids at the NFL PLAY 60 Youth Football Festival."

Quaker Oats, one of the most trusted brands at the breakfast table for more than a century, now has a seat at the training table by helping athletes get the fuel they need. Quaker's collaboration with the NFL, a longstanding and influential global organization that exemplifies sporting excellence, creates a synergy between two iconic American brands dedicated to healthy living.

Quaker offers a variety of hot cereals, including Standard Quaker Oats, Instant Quaker Oatmeal, Steel Cut Oats and new Quaker Real Medleys, a premium portable oatmeal with real fruit or crunchy nuts.

About The Quaker Oats Company

The Quaker Oats Company, headquartered in Chicago, is a unit of PepsiCo, Inc., one of the world's largest consumer packaged goods companies. For more than 130 years, Quaker's brands have served as symbols of quality, great taste and nutrition. Holding No. 1 positions in their respective categories, Quaker Oats, Quaker Rice Cakes and Quaker Chewy Granola Bars are consumer favorites. For more information, please visit www.QuakerOats.com, www.Facebook.com/Quaker or follow us on Twitter @Quaker.

About PepsiCo

PepsiCo is a global food and beverage leader with net revenues of more than $65 billion and a product portfolio that includes 22 brands that generate more than $1 billion each in annual retail sales. Our main businesses – Quaker, Tropicana, Gatorade, Frito-Lay and Pepsi-Cola – make hundreds of enjoyable foods and beverages that are loved throughout the world. PepsiCo's people are united by our unique commitment to sustainable growth by investing in a healthier future for people and our planet, which we believe also means a more successful future for PepsiCo. We call this commitment Performance with Purpose: PepsiCo's promise to provide a wide range of foods and beverages for local tastes; to find innovative ways to minimize our impact on the environment by conserving energy and water and reducing packaging volume; to provide a great workplace for our associates; and to respect, support and invest in the local communities where we operate. For more information, please visit www.pepsico.com.

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About The NFL PLAY 60

Designed to tackle childhood obesity, NFL PLAY 60 brings together the NFL's long-standing commitment to health and wellness with partner organizations like USA Football. PLAY 60 also is implemented locally, as part of the NFL's in-school, after-school and team-based programs. Since the program was launched in 2007, the NFL has committed more than $250 million to youth health and fitness through programming, grants, and media time for public service announcements. The NFL and its teams have built more than 120 NFL Youth Fitness Zones, organized more than 1,500 PLAY 60 youth events, and integrated programs into more than 77,000 schools nationwide since the campaign launched.

References:

1. Mayo Clinic. Nutrition and healthy eating. Healthy breakfast: Quick, flexible options to grab at home. Page 1. Accessed April 18, 2012: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/food-and-nutrition/NU00197

SOURCE The Quaker Oats Company