Frito-Lay Gets Wild With Association Of Zoos & Aquariums To Unite Families In An Effort To Save Endangered Species

PLANO, Texas, May 13, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- PepsiCo's Frito-Lay North America division is encouraging families to take a walk on the wild side this summer. Through a partnership with the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA), Frito-Lay is encouraging families to explore the magic of wildlife while helping to protect endangered species. The partnership, which is being promoted through Frito-Lay's variety pack line of snacks, kicks off on National Endangered Species Day (May 15) with an effort to support AZA SAFE: Saving Animals From Extinction. Beginning May 15, Frito-Lay will rally families to support AZA SAFE with a commitment to match every dollar donated to support endangered species conservation through www.FritoLayZooFun.com, up to a maximum of $100,000, through June 15, 2015. Fans can learn more on the site.

Building on its existing animal conservation efforts, AZA SAFE is a new commitment by the 229 AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums to target specific endangered species and save them from extinction by restoring healthy populations in the wild. In 2015, AZA SAFE will focus on 10 species and then continue to add another 10 species each year for at least a decade.

Families can do their part to help protect endangered animals by making donations through www.FritoLayZooFun.com. In addition to matching donations made through the site, Frito-Lay will donate $1 for each social share, per person, per day, of an endangered animal fact made through the site in an effort to encourage families to spread awareness about the important cause. Donations for social shares will also count towards Frito-Lay's maximum $100,000 donation.

"When you think about Frito-Lay and the variety packs of snacks we offer, fun is truly at the heart of everything we do," said Ryan Matiyow, senior director of marketing, Frito-Lay. "Through our partnership with AZA, we're able to bring families together around their shared passion for animals with an opportunity to learn about and support an important cause."

And the fun doesn't stop there. Over the next month, Frito-Lay will unveil more opportunities for families to "monkey around" with their favorite wildlife through an online "Wild Like Me" animal imitation experience and a special on-pack promotion available on an assortment of Frito-Lay variety packs of snacks. These experiences are sure to have families "roaring" with excitement.

"Wildlife species like the cheetah, the fastest land mammal on earth, are in danger of extinction. The cheetah population, once numbered to be more than 100,000 in the wild, is estimated to be fewer than 12,000 due to human-animal conflict and habitat loss," said Jim Maddy, President and CEO of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums. "That's why the cheetah is one of the first ten AZA SAFE species, and why partnerships like the one with Frito-Lay and its variety pack line of snacks are so critical. Working together, we can help ensure we are creating a promising future for animals like the cheetah."

Frito-Lay's variety packs of snacks are available at retail stores nationwide, for a suggested retail price of $8.99.

About Frito-Lay North AmericaFrito-Lay North America generated more than $14 billion in net revenue in 2014 and is the convenient foods business unit of PepsiCo (NYSE: PEP), which is headquartered in Purchase, NY. Learn more about Frito-Lay at the corporate website, http://www.fritolay.com/, the Snack Chat blog, http://www.snacks.com/ and on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/fritolay. 

About PepsiCoPepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated more than $66 billion in net revenue in 2014, driven by a complementary food and beverage portfolio that includes Frito-Lay, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Quaker and Tropicana. PepsiCo's product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and beverages, including 22 brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales.

At the heart of PepsiCo is Performance with Purpose – our goal to deliver top-tier financial performance while creating sustainable growth and shareholder value. In practice, Performance with Purpose means providing a wide range of foods and beverages from treats to healthy eats; finding innovative ways to minimize our impact on the environment and reduce our operating costs; providing a safe and inclusive workplace for our employees globally; and respecting, supporting and investing in the local communities where we operate. For more information, visit www.pepsico.com.

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About AZA SAFESAFE: Saving Animals From Extinction will combine the power of zoos & aquarium visitors with the resources and collective expertise of the AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums and partners to save animals from extinction. Together we are working on saving the most vulnerable wildlife species from extinction and protecting them for future generations. To learn more, visit AZAsavingspecies.org.

About AZAFounded in 1924, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of zoos and aquariums in the areas of conservation, animal welfare, education, science, and recreation. AZA is the accrediting body for the top zoos and aquariums in the United States and six other countries. Look for the AZA accreditation logo whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting a facility dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you, and a better future for all living things. The AZA is a leader in saving species and your link to helping animals all over the world. To learn more, visit www.aza.org.

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