H-E-B Gears Up for Back-to-School with New Ad Campaign Featuring Nickelodeon Star Jennette McCurdy

SAN ANTONIO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--H-E-B has signed on celebrity spokesperson Jennette McCurdy, co-star of Nickelodeon’s iCarly, to star in its new Gear Up for Back-to-School ad campaign. The campaign launches on July 13 and runs through August 31, 2011 in Texas.

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Jennette in this new ad campaign”

The H-E-B campaign will feature McCurdy in a series of TV and newspaper ads, outdoor boards, in-store signage and H-E-B’s My H-E-B Texas Life publication. An online component also plays heavily into the campaign and includes a presence on heb.com and on H-E-B’s Facebook and Twitter pages. A Spanish-language campaign, featuring McCurdy, will run simultaneously in the select markets of San Antonio, Austin, McAllen, Brownsville, Corpus Christi and Laredo.

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Jennette in this new ad campaign,” said Cory Basso, H-E-B Group Vice President Marketing & Advertising. “She has proven to be a consistent favorite with children and parents alike and we are looking forward to a positive response to her presence in the campaign.”

iCarly is the number one rated cable show for children, ages 2 to 14. The show, now entering its fifth season, is a consistent Favorite Show winner at the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards and McCurdy’s iCarly character, Sam, was voted Favorite Sidekick at the 2011 Kids' Choice Awards.

In the Gear Up for Back-to-School campaign, H-E-B and McCurdy will offer families quick tips and smart solutions for starting off the school year on the right foot with back-to-school supplies and good nutrition. H-E-B’s smart solutions take the form of products, offered at the company’s everyday low prices, which can make heading back to school a breeze.

To further add to the campaign, H-E-B is running two promotions in its stores to generate additional excitement among its customers. In the Gear Up and Go giveaway, customers will be invited to enter for a chance to win a YEAR of FREE groceries or a back-to-school shopping spree sponsored by Netspend®. Customers can also win more than 6,500 other cool prizes and offers. In the Be A VIP with Jennette McCurdy promotion, customers will have the chance to win a meet and greet with Jennette in their hometown. Additional details on both promotions and the Gear Up for Back-to-School campaign can be found at heb.com/school.

About H-E-B

Renowned for its innovation and community service, H-E-B, with sales of more than $16 billion, operates 332 stores in Texas and Mexico. The company is recognized for its fresh food, quality products, convenient services, and a commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainability. It strives to provide the best customer experience at every day low prices. Based in San Antonio, H-E-B employs more than 76,000 Partners and serves millions of customers in more than 150 communities. For more information, visit www.heb.com.

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