Iconic frozen dessert brand begins a nationwide search for its newest spokesperson

OMAHA, Neb.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 26, 2015-- Marie Callender’s^®, a brand of ConAgra Foods [NYSE: CAG], announced the search for a spokesperson today who embodies the brand’s lasting philosophy of creating special, just-like-homemade desserts that nurture friends and family. Through a month-long talent search, Marie Callender’s will identify its “Pie Queen or King,” an individual who will serve as the brand’s spokesperson and winner of a $15,000 grand prize to make his or her baking dreams come true.

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Are you constantly handing out baking tips to loved ones and calling dibs on dessert duty for get-togethers? Are you the embodiment of dessert - someone sweet, warm and inviting, who others gravitate towards just like a home baked pie? If this sounds like you, then you're the embodiment of Marie Callender, who brought her baking dreams to life decades ago. And now you could enjoy your own sweet success as the FIRST Marie Callender's Pie Queen or King and winner of a $15,000 prize! (Photo: Business Wire)

Over the course of the next year, with a possibility of extension, the Marie Callender’s Pie Queen or King will develop baking and lifestyle content for the brand including, but not limited to, baking tips, recipes, usage ideas and photography to be used across all brand activations including social media and MarieCallendersMeals.com. Additionally, the winner will serve as the public spokesperson, participating in media interviews and other publicity efforts.

“The ideal candidate will share the same passion and love for baking as Marie did in the 1940s, when she began selling her pies at the urging of family and friends. Marie truly understood the importance of nurturing loved ones with comforting meals and desserts and we want to celebrate that tradition decades later by finding a great baker who shares her enduring philosophy,” said Casey Richards, brand director.

To enter the contest, consumers must upload a one-to-two-minute video to MariesPieRoyalty.com by September 24, 2015. In addition to the video submission, entrants are asked to provide an original pie tip and answers to three baking related essay questions.

The winner will be selected based on the originality of his or her video and how well his or her personality fits Marie Callender’s brand. In addition to being crowned Marie Callender’s Pie Queen or King and serving as a spokesperson for the brand for up to one year, the winner will receive a $15,000 grand prize and a behind-the-scenes tour showcasing the special care and touches that go into the making of Marie Callender’s fruit and cream pies.

"For years, Marie Callender’s has been a trusted name in quality frozen desserts with just-like-homemade, special touches," said Richards. "We hope our search for a Pie Queen or King will give our fans and home bakers a chance to show their passion for baking and Marie Callender’s."

Visit www.MariesPieRoyalty.com for contest rules and more information. For even more information, visit www.MarieCallendersMeals.com and like Marie Callender’s on Facebook.

ABOUT CONAGRA FOODS ConAgra Foods, Inc. (NYSE: CAG) is one of North America's largest packaged food companies with branded and private branded food found in 99 percent of America’s households, as well as a strong commercial foods business serving restaurants and foodservice operations globally. Consumers can find recognized brands such as Banquet®, Chef Boyardee®, Egg Beaters®, Healthy Choice®, Hebrew National®, Hunt's®, Marie Callender's®, Orville Redenbacher's®, PAM®, Peter Pan®, Reddi-wip®, Slim Jim®, Snack Pack® and many other ConAgra Foods brands, along with food sold by ConAgra Foods under private brand labels, in grocery, convenience, mass merchandise, club and drug stores. Additionally, ConAgra Foods supplies frozen potato and sweet potato items as well as other vegetable, spice, and bakery goods to commercial and foodservice customers. ConAgra Foods operates ReadySetEat.com, an interactive recipe website that provides consumers with easy dinner recipes and more. For more information, please visit us at www.conagrafoods.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20150826005292/en/

Source: ConAgra Foods, Inc.

For ConAgra Foods Kayla Jaroch, 312-240-3156 Edelman Kayla.Jaroch@edelman.com or ConAgra Foods Amy Morgan, 630-857-1120 Amy.Morgan@conagrafoods.com www.conagrafoods.com www.MariesPieRoyalty.com www.MarieCallendersMeals.com