NEWS RELEASE
Contact:
A. Bruce Crawley
Millennium3Management
abcrawley@millennium3management.com
(215) 922-7184
Amy Polacko
PBG Public Relations
Amy.Polacko@Pepsi.com
(914) 767-6960
Cell: (860) 921-8524
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THE PEPSI BOTTLING GROUP URGES PHILADELPHIA YOUTH TO WEIGH
IN ON HOW TO END VIOLENCE
PBG Announces “Aquafina Youth Reporter Contest” with The Philadelphia Tribune
Philadelphia, Penn., September 29, 2006 – The Pepsi Bottling Group, Inc. (PBG),
joined by The Philadelphia Police Department, The Philadelphia Tribune and the School
District of Philadelphia, today announced a new contest that encourages young people to
share their thoughts on violence and other issues affecting youth in Philadelphia. Called
the “Aquafina Youth Reporter Contest,” the competition gives two winners a chance to
serve as columnists in the city’s largest African-American newspaper.
Beginning today and continuing through October 20, 2006, the “Aquafina Youth
Reporter Contest,” invites Philadelphia residents, between 16 and 25 years of age, to write
a 500-word essay addressing the following question: “What causes youth violence and
how can we stop it?”
Two winning essays, one by a male and one by a female, will be announced in late
October. The winners will be selected by a panel of judges from the Philadelphia Police
Department, The Philadelphia Tribune, the School District of Philadelphia and The Pepsi
Bottling Group.
Each of the two winning essay writers will earn the opportunity to serve over a
two-month period, as an “Aquafina Youth Reporter” in The Philadelphia Tribune, where
their winning essays, as well as one additional column on a subject of their choice, will be
- more -
PBG ANNOUNCES YOUTH REPORTER CONTEST/ 2 of 3
published in the newspaper from late October through December. Each winning contestant
will also receive a laptop computer – to encourage them to keep writing.
“The Pepsi Bottling Group has long been involved in giving back to the
communities where we work and live,” said David Fitts, Vice President and General
Manager of the Delaware Valley Market Unit at PBG. “Here in Philadelphia, we support
several community organizations that are committed to youth development. We believe
this contest is another great way for us to support our young people – and learn from their
perspectives on the issues facing our community.”
“In the Philadelphia Police Department,” said Commissioner Johnson, “we are
every bit as concerned about identifying ways to prevent violence in the city as we are
about apprehending those who resort to criminal behavior. We can learn from these young
communicators about what we can do as a city to turn this issue around. I look forward to
seeing what all of the contestants have to say.”
Also participating in the announcement was Drexel University Student Stefan
Ryan, 22, who believes his peers are eager to share their opinions with city leaders and the
larger community. “I believe the members of our generation will welcome the chance to
express themselves publicly about the violence on our city’s streets,” Mr. Ryan said. “I
think they will have some good ideas about what can be done to reduce the violent crime
rate.”
Interested applicants for the “Aquafina Youth Reporter Contest” can find a copy of
the contest rules on The Philadelphia Tribune web site at www.phila-tribune.com Contest
announcements will also be available through the School District of Philadelphia, at
Philadelphia Police Precincts, community centers and at participating retailers throughout
the city.
Philadelphia Tribune Editor Irv Randolph said his editorial staff is anxious to work
with the two winning essay writers. “We believe the opinions of these young people are a
critical part of our having an understanding of youth violence and other issues in our
- more -
PBG ANNOUNCES YOUTH REPORTER CONTEST/ 3 of 3
community,” said Mr. Randolph. “We look forward to working with the winners over the
two-month period that their articles will be published in our paper. Hopefully, we can also
begin to encourage the winners and other contestants to consider a career in the journalism
profession.”
About The Pepsi Bottling Group, Inc.
The Pepsi Bottling Group, Inc. (www.pbg.com) is the world’s largest manufacturer,
seller and distributor of Pepsi-Cola beverages with operations in the U.S., Canada, Mexico,
Russia, Spain, Turkey and Greece.
###