Pizza Hut Teams with Muppets for New Commercial To Debut on Super Bowl

    Business Editors/Entertainment Editors

    DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 26, 2005--Pizza Hut(R) and the Muppets(TM) have come together to deliver fun for the whole family in this year's Pizza Hut commercial debuting in the coveted pre-kickoff pod on Super Bowl Sunday. The ad introduces the new Dippin' Strips pizza, a pizza specially designed for dipping that comes with three popular dipping sauces.
    The commercial, created by New York-based BBDO, will feature many popular Muppets, including Kermit the Frog(TM) and Miss Piggy(TM). The spot features Miss Piggy hurtling around her friends, out of control at breakneck speed, and ends with a hilarious surprise visit from some old friends.
    "The Dippin' Strips pizza begs to be dipped. I can't stress this enough: you just have to dip it," said Tom James, chief marketing officer, Pizza Hut. "Regular pizza has its problems. Because it's triangular the first dip is okay, but then it becomes more and more difficult to dip a typical slice. So we've come up with a re-engineered pizza that is cut into 16 'dippinomical' 1-inch by 4-inch strips. It comes with three dipping sauces -- garlic, marinara, and ranch -- so everyone in the family will want to dip, dip, dip."
    "We wanted personalities for the commercial that are fun, light-hearted and that everyone in the family loves. We're thrilled the Muppets --an American family icon -- are helping us once again introduce an innovative new pizza that everyone - kids, grandparents and parents - can enjoy."

    Commercials Kick-Off Super Bowl Sunday Marketing Strategy

    Product advertising featuring the new Dippin' Strips pizza began airing nationally Sunday, January 23. The new spot featuring the Muppets will debut on Sunday, February 6 in the pre-kickoff time slot, and will mark the ninth consecutive year Pizza Hut has held the pre-kick pod.
    Pizza Hut is supporting the Dippin' Strips pizza national introduction with an estimated $20 million marketing program including national network and cable television advertising, print, radio, online initiatives and in-restaurant point of purchase materials, as well as a Hispanic television spot, bi-lingual print and in-restaurant point of purchase materials.
    According to Pizza Hut, the Super Bowl is a great forum to introduce new innovations and the pre-kick pod is the perfect strategy to capture hungry fans still making their pizza decisions for the game. The Super Bowl is the busiest Sunday of the year for Pizza Hut. The company anticipates preparing nearly 2 million pizzas during the hours leading up to and during the Super Bowl game with nearly 50 percent of deliveries and carry-outs occurring in the two hours prior to kick off and during the first hour of the game.
    The Dippin' Strips pizza is offered nationally at participating Pizza Hut restaurants for dine-in, carryout or delivery where available for $9.99 for a one topping. For a little more, customers can also choose additional toppings or one of the company's specialty pizza lines - Meat Lover's(R), Veggie Lover's(R), Cheese Lover's Plus(R) or Supreme.
    The commercials were created by New York-based BBDO, under the direction of Janet Lyons, EVP, Executive Creative Director; Chris Curry, Associate Creative Director; Tommy Troncoso, Copywriter; Monica Victor, Executive Producer; Rick Doerr, SVP, Senior Account Director; Megan Bundy, Account Executive.

    About Pizza Hut

    Pizza Hut Inc., a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE: YUM), is the world's largest pizza restaurant company with almost 6,600 units in the United States and more than 4,000 units in 100 other countries. The company is the recognized leader in the $37 billion pizza category. Those hungry for more information can go to the official Pizza Hut web site at www.pizzahut.com

    About The Muppets

    The Muppets deliver smiles and laughter to the world through heartwarming characters and stories--inspired by the art of puppetry. Led by Kermit the Frog, the Muppets are a broadly appealing global brand franchise built on 50 years of original, award-winning entertainment that includes 44 Emmy nominations, 6 feature films, and The Muppet Show which captured over 235 million weekly viewers world-wide. The Muppets are true celebrities, with Kermit the Frog having his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. These original, comical, and heartwarming characters will continue to entertain audiences around the world through many new expressions in film, TV, music and beyond beginning with The Muppets Wizard of Oz, which will air on ABC in spring 2005. Visit www.muppets.com for more news and information.

    About Muppets Holding Company

    Muppets Holding Company, LLC was established in April 2004 when The Walt Disney Company purchased the Muppets and Bear in the Big Blue House from The Jim Henson Company. MHC's mission is to ensure that these beloved, world-class brand franchises entertain audiences of all ages around the world and realize their maximum potential by fully leveraging Disney's best creative resources and worldwide distribution platforms. MHC plans to develop new content in all arenas, including television, feature films, music, stage plays and theme parks, and to enhance the Muppets and Bear's global licensing and distribution presence.

    To view behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with the Muppets, please see the following instructions below:

    VIA SATELLITE, C-BAND FEED:

    WEDNESDAY, January 26, 1:00 - 1:30 PM ET, AMC 9, Tr. 22, DL 4140H

    Technical Info DURING FEED ONLY, NBN, TOC, 212 - 684 - 8910 x 221

    VIA PATHFIRE:

    Story # NBN 23642 On left panel of Pathfire, double click on News Broadcast Network, Story # NBN23642. This story will be available after 2 PM ET on January 26.

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CONTACT: Pizza Hut Patty Sullivan, 972-338-7844

KEYWORD: TEXAS INDUSTRY KEYWORD: ADVERTISING/MARKETING SOURCE: Pizza Hut

Copyright Business Wire 2005