Cracker Jill asks fans to spotlight women
athletes via social media to bring more visibility to future role
models; Five participating fans will be selected to have a
$10,000 donation made in their name
as well as $500 to fuel their own
sports endeavors
PLANO,
Texas, June 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Now
in its third year, Cracker Jill®, a purpose-driven campaign
from Cracker Jack® that aims to elevate and support women athletes,
is introducing the Cracker Jill Spotlight Squad – five women
athletes participating in five different sports on the global stage
this summer led by legendary sprinter Allyson Felix. The Spotlight Squad furthers
Cracker Jack's commitment to inspire the next generation of girls
by raising the visibility of high-achieving women athletes to serve
as role models.
To illustrate the importance of women role models in sports,
Cracker Jack conducted a survey among 700 US teenagers and
found:
- Only 1 out of 10 (12%) US teenagers can name a single women's
professional athlete competing on the global stage this summer
- Nearly 1 in 2 (45%) US teenagers cannot name a single women's
professional athlete
- Teenage girls are 45% less likely to envision themselves being
a professional athlete
- Teenage girls are 37% more likely to have quit sports
- Teenage boys are 1.8x more likely to currently play a
sport
- 1 in 4 girls (28%) who have played sports would be motivated to
continue playing if there was more visibility of women's
sports
To help bring more visibility to women athletes, Cracker Jack
will encourage fans to use their own social media spotlight to
share the stories of the Cracker Jill Spotlight Squad through its
"Cracker Jill Share Your Spotlight Sweepstakes*" starting
June 12. Five participating fans will
be selected to have a $10,000
donation made in their name to an organization that supports the
next generation of boundary-breaking women athletes, as well as
$500 to fuel their own sports
endeavors. To enter, fans can share Spotlight Squad content from
the @crackerjackofficial_ Instagram account or CrackerJill.com via
an Instagram Story using both #CrackerJill and #ENTRY and tagging
@crackerjackofficial_ using the proper hashtags.
"The Cracker Jill program is one I hold close to my heart
because it helps provide aspiring women athletes opportunity and
access to the sports they love," said Leslie Vesper, vice president of marketing,
Frito-Lay North America. "Our new
Cracker Jack study emphasizes the need for programs like Cracker
Jill to continue sharing women's sports accomplishments directly
with young athletes. These meaningful results highlight the
importance of promoting our Spotlight Squad ahead of the global
competitions this summer."
Introducing the Cracker Jill Spotlight Squad
The inaugural Spotlight Squad includes a diverse representation of
athletes across numerous sports to inspire young women to see
themselves and feel empowered to stay in the game they love. This
group of exceptional women athletes who will be guided by
accomplished athlete Allyson Felix
includes:
- Ashleigh Johnson, Water Polo
(@ashleighjohnson): Ashleigh Johnson is a world-renowned water polo
player and a four-time World Aquatics Champion. Passionate about
furthering diversity and equity in aquatics, Ashleigh deeply
believes in the impact of learn-to-swim programs, especially those
that ensure that underrepresented communities have access to
swimming opportunities.
- Jennifer Lozano, Boxing
(@jenniferlozano1124): Born in the border town of
Laredo, Texas, Jennifer earned the
nickname "La Traviesa" (The Troublemaker) from her grandmother. She
began boxing at nine and has competed in some of the biggest
championships in the world.
- Kennedy Blades, Wrestling
(@kennedyblades): Kennedy Blades is a
world-renowned American wrestler. She has won multiple national and
international titles, and at age 12 was the first woman to win a
state title in Illinois. A Wyoming
Seminary graduate, she is currently a student at Arizona State and ranked top five in the
nation.
- Lindsey Zurbrugg, Wheelchair Basketball
(@butcherbabe12): Lindsey's journey in wheelchair
basketball began after she sustained a spinal cord injury from an
undiagnosed birth defect at the age of 13. She made her mark on
numerous teams while earning two collegiate national championships
and success on the world stage. Her passions include teaching young
athletes about nutrition.
- Noelle Lambert, Para Track
& Field (@noellelambert): After graduating
cum laude from the University of Massachusetts
Lowell, Noelle tried her hand at the 100-meter sprint, where
she quickly set a new women's record. Noelle says her accident is
the best thing that ever happened to her as she is now able to help
others by sharing her experience. She currently holds the US record
in the long jump in her classification.
"The accomplishments of game-changing athletes have created a
pivotal moment for women's sports, and we are at an inflection
point where people are finally recognizing how amazing and exciting
women's sports are," said Allyson
Felix. "By teaming up with Cracker Jack to shine a spotlight
on our amazing Cracker Jill Spotlight Squad, I am hoping we can
take that momentum and excitement to inspire the next generation of
athletes to stay in the game."
In addition to delivering $50,000
in donations to non-profits through its sweepstakes this year,
Cracker Jack is donating $200,000 to
the Women's Sports Foundation (WSF) for the third consecutive year
to support WSF's mission to help girls and women play, compete, and
lead – in sports and beyond – without barriers. To date, the
partnership between Cracker Jack and WSF has invested a total of
$600,000 to help expand access and
opportunities for more than 29,000 girls and women in sports.
"For 50 years and counting, we at the Women's Sports Foundation
have known that when girls and women play, they lead and we all
win," said WSF CEO Danette Leighton.
"That is why we are so excited to partner once again with Cracker
Jack and Cracker Jill to help introduce the Spotlight Squad. It is
our hope that this new initiative will help others recognize the
fierce women athletes changing the game in their respective sport,
while empowering more girls and women across the nation to keep
playing."
For more information on Cracker Jack and the Cracker Jill
Spotlight Squad visit www.CrackerJill.com and
follow the brand
on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
* Official sweepstakes rules and the full stories of the
Cracker Jill Spotlight Squad can be found at
CrackerJill.com.
About Cracker Jack
Cracker Jack® brand has been an American favorite for over 120
years and is one of many Frito-Lay North
America brands— the $25
billion convenient foods business unit of PepsiCo, Inc.
(NASDAQ: PEP), which is headquartered in Purchase, NY. Learn more about Cracker Jack on
Instagram (@crackerjackofficial_) on Twitter (@crackerjackUSA) and
on Facebook (@CrackerJack).
About Frito-Lay North
America
Frito-Lay North America is the
$25 billion net sales convenient
foods division of PepsiCo, Inc. (NASDAQ: PEP). For decades,
Frito-Lay's portfolio of beloved products has brought smiles to
millions of families across the world, including Fritos® corn
chips, Lay's® and Ruffles® potato chips, Doritos® and Tostitos®
tortilla chips and branded dips, Cheetos® snacks, Stacy's® pita
chips, PopCorners® air popped snacks and SunChips® multigrain
snacks. The company operates more than 40 manufacturing facilities
across the U.S. and Canada, along
with a vast distribution network that services over 315,000 retail
customers weekly through its direct-store-delivery model. Through
pep+ (PepsiCo Positive), Frito-Lay is committed to creating
positive change for the planet and people. Learn more about
Frito-Lay at FritoLay.com, on X (@FritoLay), on Instagram
(@FritoLay) and on Facebook (FritoLay).
About Women's Sports Foundation
The Women's Sports Foundation exists to enable girls and women to
reach their potential in sport and life. We are an ally, an
advocate, and a catalyst. Founded by Billie
Jean King in 1974, we are one of
the first organizations to recognize the powerful
connection between sports access, equity, and society. WSF has been
changing the game for 50 years through its research, advocacy, and
community programming, investing over $100
million to help girls and women play, compete, and lead – in
sports and beyond – without barriers. A leader and champion of the
entire women's sports ecosystem, WSF amplifies the vital societal
and cultural impact that is made when girls and women play sports.
All girls. All women. All sports® To learn more about
the Women's Sports Foundation, please visit
http://www.womenssportsfoundation.org/.
View original content to download
multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cracker-jack-and-allyson-felix-partner-to-debut-cracker-jill-spotlight-squad-302168962.html
SOURCE Frito-Lay North
America