Saturday, March 19, 2011

Friskies® Tasty Treasures™ Pays Tribute To the Most Influential Cats on the Web With A 640-Pound Cheese Sculpture


 A cat paws the keys of a piano and 20 million online views later, she’s a well-known performer. Another curious feline learns to flush the toilet so he can confirm if the water drains counter-clockwise, resulting in joy for more than five million viewers. Cats are quickly dominating the Web – in fact, they’re the “Big Cheeses” of the Internet. To celebrate the launch of Tasty Treasures™, a new variety of wet cat food featuring the taste of cheese, Friskies® commissioned a golden cheese sculpture of these feline champions of the Internet.

Friskies appointed master cheese carver Troy Landwehr from Wisconsin, our nation’s cheese capital, to hand craft the unique cheese sculpture. Using a 640-pound block of Wisconsin cheddar cheese, Landwehr’s carving depicts four iconic Internet cats engaged in the various activities that made them famous: Standing Cat, Nora the Piano Cat, Gizmo the Flushing Cat and Monorail Cat. Surpassing online video competition with a “new breed” of viral video content, these cats share a combined 30 million online views.
Troy Landwehr master cheese carver and I Can Has Cheezburger's  "Big Cheese!"


The cheese sculpture was unveiled on Saturday, March 12, at I Can Has Cheezburger’s “The Internet is Serious Business” party at South by Southwest Interactive. Through sites like I Can Has Cheezburger, owners share their cats’ wonderfully dynamic personalities with millions of viewers every day.
“Cats have always brought smiles to their owners’ faces, and now owners are sharing these fun moments online, which is why Friskies was delighted to partner with I Can Has Cheezburger to celebrate the growing popularity of cats on the Web by showcasing the ‘Big Cheeses’ in a playful way,” said Aaron Williams, Assistant Brand Manager of Friskies. “Because our research tells us that many cats like cheese, we thought the cheese sculpture was a perfect way to acknowledge these high-profile felines and our new cheese-flavored product at the same time.”


"Big Cheeses Of The Internet"


In a recent surveyi of 738 cat owners conducted on behalf of Friskies, 46 percent said their cats like the flavor of cheese. Three in five said they would serve their cats food made with cheese. The online survey took place in February 2011.
i The survey results are from an online omnibus of 738 cat owners conducted by Opinion Research Corporation. The online omnibus study is conducted twice a week among a demographically representative U.S. sample of 1,000adults 18 years of age and older. Interviewing for these surveys was completed on January 31-February 1 and February 3-4, 2011. The margin of error is +/- 3.6%.
“We developed Tasty Treasures to bring new excitement and something a little unexpected to cats’ mealtime,” said Williams. “The bursts of color and the taste of cheese in every bite make Tasty Treasures a fun experience that stimulates cats’ senses and satisfies their hunger for variety.”


Available nationwide for a suggested retail price of $0.52, Friskies Tasty Treasures are 100 percent complete and balanced nutrition for cats of all ages and available in four new wet product line SKUs: With Turkey and Cheese in Gravy; With Chicken and Cheese in Gravy; With Ocean Fish, Tuna, & Cheese in Gravy; and With Chicken, Tuna & Cheese in Gravy.

About Friskies®
Friskies® offers a complete line of great-tasting cat foods, including more than 60 wet, dry and treat varieties that help cats enjoy multiple sensory experiences. Friskies is manufactured by Nestlé Purina PetCare, a global leader in the pet care industry. Nestlé Purina PetCare promotes responsible pet care, humane education, community involvement and the positive bond between people and their pets. The North American headquarters for Nestlé Purina PetCare is located at Checkerboard Square in St. Louis, Mo. Nestlé Purina PetCare is part of Swiss-based Nestlé S.A. – the world’s largest food company.


Troy Landwehr master cheese carver


36 comments:

  1. Hum, our cats have never tried cheese, we may have to grab some of this and see what they think of it...I love cheese. :) Hugs

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  2. Woah... but I'd be even more impressed if they were carved outa tuna!!

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  3. Woofmeow! Womeow!!!
    Dear Auntie Caren, First time in my life I wish I were a kitty now... meow... woofmeow!!!
    Oh...please don't let my friends know about it because they always admire my fiery attacks towards my neighbours' kitties. Oops! Cody should never know about it either!!!
    ~ Your No. 1 admirer, the little sweetie Eva

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  4. @Mumsy, let me know what you think! Cody can't have it...cause of allergies :( ((((hugs)))) back at ya!

    @Rumblepurr MOL!

    @Priscilla "woofmeow" I love it! "fiery attacks" Eva you must be starting to feel like yourself again! That's good news!!! Awwww Eva you ARE my Number 1 Admirer and I am sooooooooo grateful and honored! Cody is too! xoxoxo We feel the same!

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  5. Of course I would be one of the ones who doesn't like cheese. That is one cool carving though!!!

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  6. Wow, those cheeses are amazing!
    The first couple of cans of Tasty Treasures my humans gave me, I turned up my nose at, but it may have been the tuna I didn't want. However, the latest can full I devoured.

    In terms of your comment about the media and japan, Mom thought you might find this article, that The Poupounette linked to, informative:

    http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/03/18/fukushima_friday/print.html

    We wish we could depend on the media to not want us to panic, but in fact we believe they love it when we do, as it drives people to watch the news much more for further scary updates. We certainly hope the article is right.

    Purrs, and have a wonderful weekend.

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  7. Well that does it - I'm a very deprived kitty cuz I'v never had cheese and even live in the cheese state! Love those cheese carvings.

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  8. Bonjour dear Caren!
    Wow it's amazing, isn't it?
    But my mommy says I can't eat cheese!However this line of cat food looks interesting! Thanks for your review!
    Luna

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  9. We both love a little taste of cheese if mum has some on a sandwich.
    Luv Hannah and Lucy xx xx

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  10. @Brian I have never given either of my cats cheese! I didn't know I could give my cat cheese! lol. Cody can't have it though due to allergies.

    @CRichman thanks!

    @Hannah and Lucy yum!! xoxo

    @Luna don't feel bad I can't have cheese either! Oh this wasn't a review! They sent me the press release and asked if I would post it...we didn't get any cheese for posting it! lol

    @Mario don't feel bad! Neither of my kitties EVER had cheese!

    @Simba thank you sooo much! I am going to check that out later!

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  11. Dear Caren, We loves Cheese! Mommy and Daddy rolls it into little balls for us! When the hairy slobbery sisters has dog food with cheese in it, me has been known to steal it out of their dish and there is a cat tuna that has cheese in it that me loves! me is so excited to hear this! Thank yous! Thank youS!
    Kisses, your friend Nellie

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  12. WHAT IS THAT??? Cheese you say....?? It looks
    a m a z i n g!!

    I'm just gonna go quickly ask my humanoid if I can try some too....

    From a cute cat x

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  13. did some buddy say cheese!! Where? we want some..cheese is #1
    Snuggles,
    Benny & Lily

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  14. I want some! My staff woman doesn't eat cheese, so I have never had any. Thank you for reminding me of that one slight on her part. You can believe I am going to get some Tasty Treasure. I have excellent mind control abilities.

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  15. Caren, I was wondering if Friskies is a good brand of food. You know, I have two finicky cats and have tried about every brand except Friskies. We have our grand puppy for the weekend and she has licked the cat bowls clean!

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  16. This is Awesome Event, Caren !!!
    Mom like when they said " “Cats have always brought smiles to their owners’ faces "

    Myself, mommy and daddy never give me a cheese, they are not sure.it's safe for me to eat. But I saw lots of my cats' friend does. Especially " Cory " ( Cory Cat Blog ) she LOVE IT ! : )

    oxoxoxo

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  17. Hmmm, I cannot make up my mind about these giant cheese things. On the one paw, they are fascinating in a horrible kind of way but on the other they kind of scare me.

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  18. Cody and Caren,

    What a great bit of information about Friskies, I Can Has Cheezburger and the idea that cats love cheese. Somehow that slipped my cat menu. I'll have to help ours try it out.

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  19. @Nellie I am soooo happy that you are sooo excited! That is great! Neither Cody or Dakota have ever had cheese! Cody can't cause of his allergies, I will have to try giving Dakota a piece!

    @Karen let us know how you like it!

    @Spitty "fascinating in a horrible kind of way" lol....I am like you...sometimes these things kind of scare me too! But the talent that it takes to make them is amazing!

    @Mr.Puddy, I have never been sure about it myself. I had always heard that cheese wasn't good for cats, maybe I was wrong! I have never given Cody or my Angel Bobo any cheese. Cody can't have any due to allergies xoxo

    @Shawn, I know my ex-mother-in-law used to feed her cat Friskies. I have never fed it to cody nor to Bobo when he was alive. Not intentionally....well with Cody, yes...he has allergies. With Bobo he started with Fancy Feast, then went to Whiskas, then to a Whole Foods brand cat food...it was never intentional, he just didn't have it.

    @Fisher and Staff, please let us know how you like it! (after you use your mind control, of course! lol)

    @Benny and Lily, CHEESE!!! lol. This is kitty cheese! You are both soooo cute!

    @Dexter, hi you cutie pie! Let us know what you thought of it when you try it!

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  20. Cheese or not - as long as there's something healthy inside and cats like it. But isn't there always a reason to celebrate the amazing theatrical nature of cats. They truly are the most engaging entertainers - even when they are not trying to be!! :-)

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  21. Very interesting post...I will check and study about cheese more as my kids' diet... :-)

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  22. This made me chuckle a little because it reminded me of the MN state fair. Every year the queen of the fair gets her likeness carved in butter so heck, why not a cheese sculpture. Hope you and Cody are having a fun weekend!! :)

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  23. My girl feasted on Friskies Chicken and Tuna. 2 helpings!!! I have never asked her to try cheese. Maybe I should.
    xox

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  24. Oh man I LOVE CHEESE! Not that I would eat the statues or anything...

    Nubbin wiggles,
    Oskar

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  25. @Gods Little People, sooo true!

    @Oskar, you would NEVER do that would you? :)

    @Ramblington 2 helpings? She sounds like Cody! Bet she would love the cheese!

    @Coupon Queen...yummmmmmm butter! I LOVE BUTTER! :) I slept in this morning so it is the end of a very nice weekend! Hope yours is great too!

    @Tamago, let us know what you find out!

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  26. charlie loves a nice bit of Cheddar. He turned his nose up at some delicious Brie I brought back from France though!
    The greedy boy even eats curry-well he does live in the Birmingham 'balti Belt'!!
    x

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  27. I think I'd like these better if they were in green. which as you know is my color. I am pleased bat-a-rat is done in green. which arrived yesterday. which despite its color I don't see the point of yet. doubtless human will instruct me. when she sees fit to get her b*tt out of her bed. come to think of it she looks a little green around the gills right now. doesn't improve her looks any. much as I approve the shade. anyway bye caren. I need to go whine at green one again. she didn't hear me the first 9m times.

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  28. @wockley "Curry!!??" OMC!!! Charlie certainly is an adventurous kitty! I love it! xoxo

    @Nadbugs...green?????? lol......green is MY favorite color! Noooo!!! you don't like your "Bat-A-Rat??" OMG cody LOVES HIS! Tell your Mom to show you how to work it. She has to put a few pieces of kibble on the floor by it to show you that kibble is in it! (if she hasn't already). Tell your Mom I hope she feels better!

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  29. Beautiful post! Our cats in Caucasus love to eat the cheese...

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  30. Hi Amin! How is your baby! I seriously never knew that cats could eat cheese til recently. Thanks much!

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  31. Wow, that is a lot of cheese! All of us here love cheese, well food in general.

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  32. @Team Tabby it sure is! I would love to be eating all of that cheese, well, not all at once! You sound like Cody and I, we LOVE FOOD too! lol

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  33. Aunty Caren,
    Brad's the only cheese eating feline in this household. Hmm....dunno...maybe I should try munching those carvings...they sure look droolicious! purrrr....meow!

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  34. those are so cool... I didn't know it was possible to make!

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