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ANNOUNCING THE NEW FACE OF ALPO®!

ONE HUNGRY PUG LICKS THE COMPETITION IN NATIONWIDE SEARCH TO FIND THE BIGGEST MEAT MANIAC IN AMERICA

Joy Behar, Dog Lover, Comedian and Co-host of The View, Crowns the Winning Dog

ST. LOUIS, Missouri, September 17, 2008 /PRNewswire/—Every dog has his day. And for Ike, a four-year-old, 18-pound pug who lives in Barrington Hills, Illinois, that day is putting him in the national spotlight. Ike is the grand prize winner of the ALPO® Real Meat Moments video contest and will serve as the new face of the iconic dog food brand, appearing on millions of cans of ALPO and in national print advertising.

Hundreds of owners entered their dogs in the national video contest and Ike licked his competition by demonstrating how excited he gets when his meaty meal is served. Celebrity judge Joy Behar, dog lover and co-host of The View, crowned Ike the biggest Meat Maniac in America based on his star potential, as well as his video's originality and appropriateness to the contest theme.

"As the owner of two dogs who go bonkers at mealtime, I know a meat maniac when I see one," said Behar. "I am delighted to award Ike with this honor. His frenzied feeding moment made me laugh out loud and any dog who does a headstand in his bowl because he is so excited for his meaty meal deserves to be named the new face of ALPO."

"My husband, son and I are just so excited - we are still in shock," said Mary Beth Holsteen, Ike's owner. "Ever since Ike was a puppy, he has been entertaining us with his dizzying dinnertime antics. Mealtime is truly the highlight of Ike's day!"

In addition to appearing on ALPO packaging and in advertising, Ike will receive a hometown celebration and the following Taste of Fame prize package:

  • Trip to Hollywood (along with two human companions)
  • Meet-and-greet with television and film canine celebs
  • Day with a Tinsel Town animal trainer
  • $10,000 cash
  • One-year supply of ALPO brand dog food

According to Sheridan Budin, ALPO assistant brand manager, "Ike is the epitome of a 'meat maniac.' His unparalleled excitement for dinner proves he is the real meat lover in the family and worthy of being the face of one of America's favorite dog food brands."

Four runners-up will receive a one-year supply of ALPO. To view Ike's winning video submission, as well as the runners-up entries, go to alporealmeatmoments.com.

About ALPO

ALPO brand dog food offers a full line of great tasting, meaty wet and dry formulas that offer 100 percent complete and balanced nutrition for the real meat lover in the family. ALPO is manufactured by Nestlé Purina PetCare Company, one of the leading global players in the pet care industry. Nestlé Purina promotes responsible pet care, humane education, community involvement and the positive bond between people and their pets. The North American headquarters for Nestlé Purina PetCare is located at Checkerboard Square in St. Louis, Missouri, where Ralston Purina was founded more than a century ago. The company is part of the Swiss-based Nestlé S.A. - the world's largest food company.