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MEET THE STARS OF "MIGHTY DOG® NATION: THE MOVIE"

Three Mighty Dogs Win Nationwide Casting

(St. Louis) - July 31, 2009 /PRNewswire/ — Lights, camera . . . action! Hundreds of mighty dogs from across the country auditioned for the chance to star in a 3-5 minute dogumentary called "Mighty Dog® Nation: The Movie." While it was a nose-to-nose competition, three spirited dogs pulled off a mighty feat by being chosen as the Grand Prize winners of the national video contest.

Jesse, a Jack Russell Terrier, from Litchfield Park, Arizona; Jasmine, a Havanese from Gilbert, Arizona; and Mater, a mixed breed from Carmel, Indiana bested the competition by showcasing their star potential and attitudes that are bigger than their size. They will star in a dogumentary about the founding of Mighty Dog Nation, a first-of-its-kind nation that celebrates mighty dogs – the "everydog" whose spirited personality speaks louder than his bark.

Maria Menounos, TV personality, dog lover and Human Ambassador to the Mighty Dog Nation, picked the winners from 10 finalists with the help of dog lovers across the country who also voted online for their favorites.

"It was hard to pick just three winners because every dog is mighty in his or her own unique way," said Menounos. "Jesse, Jasmine and Mater truly have star potential and spirited personalities that will shine on screen."

Meet the Mighty Dogs

In their video "auditions," Jesse used ingenuity and creativity to defend his turf from an intruder; Jasmine performed remarkable mighty feats; and Mater had a doggone good time at the playground. Each of the winning mighty dogs will receive a featured role in "Mighty Dog® Nation: The Movie" that will air on the Mighty Dog Web site in 2010, as well as a film premiere party in their hometown and a one-year supply of Purina® Mighty Dog® brand canned dog food. They also will appear in a 30-second film trailer that will air during a commercial break on the "National Dog Show" on NBC on Thanksgiving Day 2009.

Watch the Grand Prize-winning videos on mightydog.com and look for the debut of "Mighty Dog Nation: The Movie" on www.mightydog.com in 2010. Mighty Dog brand dog food is manufactured by Nestlé Purina PetCare Company.

About Nestlé Purina PetCare

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. Nestlé Purina PetCare promotes responsible pet care, humane education, community involvement and the positive bond between people and their pets. One of the leading global players in the pet food industry, Nestlé Purina PetCare is part of the Swiss-based Nestlé S.A. – the world's largest food company.

Press Contacts

Andrea Clark
Publicis Consultants | PR
206.270.4639
Julie Kahn
Nestlé Purina PetCare Company
314.982.1036