Music superstar helps bee-loved Honey Nut Cheerios character Buzz
encourage people to connect through dance and celebrate happy and
healthy moments
MINNEAPOLIS (AUGUST 25, 2014) /— Eight–time Grammy Award–winning megastar Usher and Buzz the Bee, the iconic Honey Nut Cheerios™
character, are using dance to spread the word that being healthy can be
fun and delicious. Starting today, the two new friends are asking
people to celebrate and share healthy and happy moments, like dancing to
Usher’s new single “She Came to Give it to You” and enjoying a
heart–healthy breakfast with Honey Nut Cheerios. With health issues like
heart disease on the rise, Buzz wants to get people buzzing about the
importance of physical activity and healthy food choices as part of a
healthy lifestyle.
The bee-loved bee also has some help from Usher in his brand new
commercial premiering nationally today. The spot highlights the fact
that bees communicate through dance, showing Buzz’s natural dancing
ability as he “speaks” to the artist about the importance of a
heart–healthy breakfast. In true Usher–fashion, he responds with some of
his own famous dance moves, all set to his hot new release “She Came to
Give it to You.”
“Dance to me is a feeling, an emotion — the movement is good for your
heart in so many ways,” said Usher. “I really feel like Buzz and I
connected through dance during this shoot. He has some serious dance
skills and I’m looking forward to getting more people dancing.”
People can dance along with the talented artist and Buzz by sharing
photos and videos of their dance moments with @Buzzthebee via Twitter, Instagram and Tumblr and using hashtag #cheerios.
“Since bees communicate through dance, I have to admit that it was
pretty sweet to learn some new dance moves from an artist like Usher,”
said Buzz. “Nothing gets me buzzing like the heart–healthy whole grain
oats and delicious real honey in each bowl of Honey Nut Cheerios… and
now, Usher’s music!”
Heart Health and Physical Activity
Heart disease affects one in three people in the U.S. or
approximately 82.6 million people, according to the American Heart
Association; but a few simple lifestyle choices can make a big
difference in people’s overall health:
Lowering blood pressure and cholesterol will reduce risk of dying of heart disease
Eating a healthy diet that is low in salt, low in total fat,
saturated fat and cholesterol, and rich in fresh fruits and vegetables
Daily physical activity, like dancing or taking a brisk walk
Quitting smoking; not smoking
As part of a heart–healthy* eating plan, eating Honey Nut Cheerios
each day can help lower cholesterol. Made with whole grains and low in
fat, Honey Nut Cheerios also provides 12 essential vitamins and
minerals. Plus, made with real honey, people don’t have to sacrifice
taste to eat something that’s packed with goodness.
“We hope to reach families with the important message that making
healthy choices can be fun,” said Gail Peterson, associate marketing
director for Honey Nut Cheerios. “We’re excited to bring such a
respected and talented artist like Usher together with Buzz to help
spread this message through dance.”
Honey Nut Cheerios is bringing to life the idea of celebrating happy
and healthy moments through multiple partnerships and TV advertisements
throughout 2014–2015, including the 30–second commercial starring Usher
and directed by acclaimed director Hype Williams. The campaign is also
being supported by digital ads, public relations, social media efforts
and special fan experiences that will be announced in 2015.
People across the United States choose the irresistible taste of
golden Honey Nut Cheerios more than any other cereal, making it the #1
cereal in America **. Honey Nut Cheerios cereal was introduced in 1979
as the first extension of the iconic Cheerios cereal brand.
To learn more about Honey Nut Cheerios and a heart–healthy eating plan, visit Cheerios.com.
*3 grams of soluble fiber daily from whole grain oat foods, like
Honey Nut Cheerios cereal, in a diet low in saturated fat and
cholesterol, may reduce the risk of heart disease. Honey Nut Cheerios
cereal provides .75 grams per serving.
**Based on Nielsen sales data, 52 weeks ending 8/2/14
About Cheerios™
Cheerios, America’s No. 1 cereal, debuted in 1941 as Cheerioats. The
nation’s first ready–to–eat oat cereal has since become one of the most
trusted and recognized brands in America. In fact, one of every 8 boxes
of cereal sold in America is a box of Cheerios. General Mills’ popular
franchise includes Cheerios, Honey Nut Cheerios, Multi Grain Cheerios,
Multi Grain Cheerios Peanut Butter, Chocolate Cheerios, Frosted
Cheerios, Fruity Cheerios, Apple Cinnamon Cheerios, and Banana Nut
Cheerios. Cheerios also has a publishing division that includes the
popular Cheerios Play Books and other activity books. For more
information, go to www.cheerios.com.
About Usher
Usher has been ranked by the Recording Industry Assn. of America as one
of the best–selling artists in American music history, having sold over
50 million albums worldwide. He has won numerous awards including 8
Grammy Awards and has been named by Billboard the #1 Hot 100 artist as
well as the second most successful artist of the 2000s decade. During
his 20–year career Usher has attained nine Hot 100 #1 hits (all as a
lead artist) and 18 Hot 100 top–10 singles. His career–propelling 2004
album “Confessions” has also been ranked as the top solo album of the
2000s decade. This year Usher completed his second season as a coach on
NBC’s Emmy award winning hit TV show “The Voice” as well as the filming
of his role as boxer Sugar Ray Leonard in the upcoming film “Hands of
Stone”.
About General Mills
General Mills is one of the world’s leading food companies, operating in
more than 100 countries around the world. Its brands include Cheerios,
Fiber One, Häagen–Dazs, Nature Valley, Yoplait, Betty Crocker,
Pillsbury, Green Giant, Old El Paso, Wanchai Ferry, Yoki, and more.
Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minn., USA, General Mills had fiscal 2014
worldwide sales of US $17.9 billion.