Hostess(R) Goes Bananas for DVD Release of King Kong; Limited-Edition Banana Creme-Filled Twinkies(R) Roar Onto Shelves

Hostess(R) Goes Bananas for DVD Release of King Kong; Limited-Edition Banana Creme-Filled Twinkies(R) Roar Onto Shelves

Banana Creme-Filled Twinkies are Nostalgic Take on a Classic Treat

KANSAS CITY, Mo., March 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Hostess Twinkies will once again be filled with smooth banana-Creme, the original flavor of the iconic snack cake created 76 years ago this April -- but only for a limited time.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060323/NYTH074 )

In connection with the DVD release on March 28 of the blockbuster film King Kong, Hostess is introducing limited-edition Banana Creme-Filled Twinkies, which will be available in over 30,000 retail locations nationwide beginning March 23, 2006.

This banana-themed promotion is a nostalgic nod to the classic treat, which was made with banana Creme filling until a World War II banana shortage prompted Twinkie bakers to switch to vanilla Creme.

"The DVD release of King Kong provided the perfect venue for the re- introduction of Banana Creme-Filled Twinkies as a nostalgic nod to one of America's most popular snacks," said Kevin Kaul marketing director at Hostess. "We are pleased to partner with Universal Studios Home Entertainment as part of this thrilling action and adventure film."

Directed by Peter Jackson and starring Naomi Watts, Jack Black and Andrien Brody, King Kong is the epic action-adventure about a film crew's discovery of mysterious Skull Island, where they encounter the legendary Kong, a giant creature of incredible physical power, leading to unforeseen and indelible events for all.

The King Kong partnership comes on the heels of the highly successful promotion of purple Creme-filled Hostess(R) "Chocolicious Wonka Cakes" in connection with Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and green Creme-filled Hostess(R) Twinkies(R) in connection with the DVD release of Shrek 2.

Limited-edition Banana Creme-Filled Twinkies, as well as Hostess' Banana Walnut Mini Muffins will feature special King Kong themed packaging. The King Kong promotion is also supported by national print and Online advertising, free standing inserts, in-store displays and the "Go Bananas" online sweepstakes, where consumers can win Kong-sized prizes including a trip to Universal Studios and prize packs including a variety of King Kong and Hostess merchandise. For more information on the sweepstakes visit www.hostesscakes.com.

Interstate Bakeries Corporation, the maker of Hostess products, is one of the nation's largest wholesale bakers and distributors of fresh baked bread and sweet goods under various brand names including Wonder(R), Hostess(R), Dolly Madison(R), Baker's Inn(R), Home Pride(R), Merita(R) and Drake's(R). For more information visit www.hostesscakes.com.

Universal Studios Home Entertainment is a unit of Universal Pictures, a division of Universal Studios (www.universalstudios.com). Universal Studios is a part of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Formed in May 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, NBC Universal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and Entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is 80%-owned by General Electric, with 20% controlled by Vivendi Universal.

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060323/NYTH074
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
AP PhotoExpress Network: PRN3
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Interstate Bakeries Corporation

CONTACT: Hannah Arnold, or Casey DePalma, +1-212-575-4545, both of
Linden Alschuler & Kaplan, Inc. Public Relations

Web site: http://www.hostesscakes.com/

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