Pepsi to Continue Refreshing Communities in 2011 with Pepsi Refresh Project

Program to Expand into International Markets

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Sep 08, 2010, 07:00 ET

PURCHASE, N.Y., Sept. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Based on its success and impact, Pepsi will continue to fund the Pepsi Refresh Project and intends to launch the program in Europe, Latin America and Asia in 2011.

Launched in the U.S. and Canada in 2010, next year, the Pepsi Refresh Project will come to life on a global scale. International market activations will be tailored to ensure relevance to local communities.

"The Pepsi Refresh Project has demonstrated that bringing simple ideas to life can create a powerful impact in local communities," said Lauren Hobart, CMO sparkling beverages, PepsiCo Beverages America. "Over the past year, we've been inspired by the quality and impact of the ideas put into action by Pepsi fans across the U.S. And we're excited to extend the impact of the program next year in the U.S. and around the world," she continued.

The Pepsi Refresh Project is consistent with PepsiCo's Performance with Purpose platform, and its success in 2010 is evident through the number of communities across the U.S. positively impacted by grant recipients' ideas. As of Sept. 1, 2010, 42 million votes have been cast for over 7,500 ideas, and the 256 Pepsi Refresh Project grantees are estimated to have reached over 200,000 people across the country.

"We've seen such a great diversity of ideas funded through the Pepsi Refresh Project," says Max Schorr, GOOD co-founder, "everything from building playgrounds in communities across the U.S. to providing instruments to students and supporting energy efficiency installations. We are excited that Pepsi will continue to help move communities forward by supporting local ideas through this groundbreaking program."

Pepsi Refresh Project

In an effort to support those who generate innovative, optimistic ideas, the Pepsi Refresh Project (www.refresheverything.com), will award more than $20 million in 2010 to move communities forward. Individuals can apply for grants to benefit a variety of projects starting January 13, and site visitors can vote for the best ideas for funding starting February 1. The Pepsi Refresh Project is an evolution of the Refresh Everything initiative Pepsi launched in 2009, which showed the brand as an optimistic catalyst for idea creation, leading to an ever-refreshing world.

The Pepsi Refresh Project can be found at www.refresheverything.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/refresheverything or on Twitter, @Pepsi or #pepsirefresh.

About PepsiCo

PepsiCo offers the world's largest portfolio of billion-dollar food and beverage brands, including 19 different product lines that each generate more than $1 billion in annual retail sales. Our main businesses - Frito-Lay, Quaker, Pepsi-Cola, Tropicana and Gatorade - also make hundreds of other nourishing, tasty foods and drinks that bring joy to our consumers in over 200 countries. With more than $60 billion in revenue, PepsiCo's people are united by our unique commitment to sustainable growth, called Performance with Purpose. By dedicating ourselves to offering a broad array of choices for healthy, convenient and fun nourishment, reducing our environmental impact, and fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace culture, PepsiCo balances strong financial returns with giving back to our communities worldwide. For more information, please visit www.pepsico.com.

SOURCE PepsiCo