NEWS

WIRES

OTHER

Olympic Champion Mary Lou Retton Stars in New Dairy Queen Commercial

New Dairy Queen commercial features Olympic star Mary Lou Retton. (Photo: Business Wire)

The live action spot with Retton ties in the Dairy Queen system's unified "So Good It's RiDQulous^TM" campaign theme. In the spot, the DQ manager spokesperson explains that at Dairy Queen "we don't just have pinatas; we have pinatas filled with Mary Lou Retton." He then proceeds to hit the pinata causing it to break open and Retton falls out. The featured product in the TV commercial with Retton is the new Triple Chocoholic Blizzard Treat, which is the July Blizzard of the Month.

"Let's just say there were lots of laughs and a few takes before we nailed it," said Retton. "My performance resume includes the balance beam, uneven parallel bars, floor exercise, vault and now the pinata."

This marks the first time since the 1970s that a DQ spot features a celebrity. Retton was identified for the spot because she is a Gen X mom of four who embodies the all-American brand.

"Mary Lou is an iconic Gen Xer and is great fit with our new tagline and strategy: 'So Good It's RiDQulous,'" said Michael Keller, chief brand officer for American Dairy Queen Corporation. "This advertising campaign is focused on impacting our core guest demographic and conveying to them that at DQ restaurants 'good isn't good enough' and that of course is something Mary Lou has successfully proven time and time again."

Retton wasn't the only celebrity involved in the DQ commercials. Academy Award-nominated Black Swan Cinematographer Matthew Libatique filmed all live action spots.

"Matt, Mary Lou and the entire production crew have done a tremendous job of elevating our brand and telling our story," added Keller.

To view the new commercial, visit YouTube.com/DairyQueen. For more information about the Dairy Queen system, visit DairyQueen.com.

About ADQ:

American Dairy Queen Corporation (ADQ), which is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minn., develops, licenses and services a system of more than 5,900 Dairy Queen stores in the United States, Canada and 16 other countries. ADQ is part of the Berkshire Hathaway family, a company owned by Warren Buffett, the legendary investor and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway. For more information, visit DairyQueen.com.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=6780742&lang=en

for American Dairy Queen
Chris Feeley, 954-776-1999 ext. 237
cfeeley@piersongrant.com
or
Katie Lennon, 954-776-1999 ext. 240
klennon@piersongrant.com