Rickland Orchards Announces Extra Host Maria Menounos As New Face Of Brand

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Rickland Orchards Brand, creator of the first to market Greek Yogurt Granola Bar, has gone back to its roots, tapping Greek-American TV personality, author and producer Maria Menounos as the new face of the brand, it was announced today by Rickland Orchard's Co-Founders Michael Sands and Jason Cohen. 
  


"Maria has a real energy and passion for life that surrounds her, much like the energy and passion that we put into making our products," commented Rickland Orchards President and co-founder Michael Sands. "We are thrilled to have her on board to show consumers how to live a healthier and active lifestyle with Rickland Orchards."

"Getting to know Maria over the last couple of months and listening to the daily challenges she faces to eat right while on-the-go, we realized she would be the ideal addition to our team," added CEO and co-founder Jason Cohen. "Her insight and ambition around balancing a healthier lifestyle makes this relationship special."

As the current host of the ever-popular daily TV news program Extra, Menounos has a jam-packed schedule, yet still finds time to look and feel her very best. Menounos' commitment to a healthy, nutritious lifestyle, while always on-the-run, mirrors the philosophy of the Rickland Orchards brand. Menounos refuels her body with Rickland Orchards Greek Yogurt Bars and can often be found snacking on her favorite flavor, Blueberri Acai. 
  


"Being Greek, I've always loved Greek Yogurt, but with my crazy schedule Rickland Ochards bars are delicious and easy. After trying my first Rickland Orchards Greek Yogurt bar, I was hooked! Now I can experience the great taste and benefits of Greek Yogurt anytime, anywhere I go." She continued, "I was so impressed by these delicious bars that I wanted to get involved, and am excited to have the opportunity to spread the word." 
  


Maria knows her audience well, and will play a creative and active role in educating and engaging consumers who appreciate and relate to her health-conscious, active lifestyle. In addition to appearing in the upcoming ad campaign, Maria will host an Exclusive Wellness Challenge and provide overall wellness tips for maintaining a work-life balance, healthy eating habits, and introducing her exclusive new flavor. Through these initiatives, Maria Menounos will influence all consumers in maintaining a healthy and balanced lifestyle.

Rickland Orchards Greek Yogurt Bars feature honey-roasted granola, fruit, and nuts dipped and drizzled in Strained Greek Yogurt coating imported from Europe. Rickland Orchards is the first to offer consumers Greek Yogurt in a shelf-stable, great tasting bar; and furthermore provide an excellent source of fiber and a good source of protein in each serving. Rickland Orchards Greek Yogurt Bars come in six distinct flavors – Blueberry Acai, Cherri Almond, Toasted Coconut, Cranberri Almond, Apple & Honey, and Orchard Peach, with 2 new flavors hitting shelves soon! 
  


The phenomenon of Greek yogurt has spread across all consumer groups, and Rickland Orchards is staying ahead of the curve by expanding into non-traditional ways in which to enjoy Greek yogurt. Rickland Orchards also plans to create and sell additional Greek Yogurt inspired products. Rickland Orchards Greek Yogurt Bars are authorized and distributed in over 20,000 retail locations nationwide. 
 

ABOUT RICKLAND ORCHARDS 

Rickland Orchards, a wholly owned subsidiary of Natural Instincts LLC, is an innovative food company focused on making healthier products convenient and delicious through listening to buyer and consumer insights. Rickland Orchards products are sold nationally. Visit us at www.ricklandorchards.com.

ABOUT MARIA MENOUNOS
Maria Menounos, Host of Extra, is featured on the daily show as she reports with Mario Lopez from "Extra's" home at The Grove in Los Angeles. Menounos covers all the top entertainment events, celebrity interviews, red-carpets and movie premieres with her uncompromising and daring interview style while maintaining her fun-loving persona. Her ground-breaking conversational style of reporting led her, at the age of 22, to become the youngest person ever to host "Entertainment Tonight." She would go on to do the same for "the Today Show" and "Nightly News."  She has been one of People Magazines "50 Most Beautiful' and has been in the top five of the askmen.com poll for "the girl men most want to marry" along with the likes of Angelina Jolie and Charlize Theron.

For more information, please contact BrandLink Communications – 323.302.9876

Jose Martinez / [email protected] or Taylor Anderson / [email protected]

SOURCE Rickland Orchards