KFC Names Atlanta Amateur Songwriter as America's Newest 'Hitmaker' Via the Brand's Pride 360 Program

KFC Names Atlanta Amateur Songwriter as America's Newest 'Hitmaker' Via the Brand's Pride 360 Program

National Contest Winner Earns Home Music Studio, Greater Visibility

LOUISVILLE, Ky., Oct. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- After months of searching for the hottest beats in the land, KFC has selected an Atlanta-based artist as its 2008 "Hitmaker." The Hitmaker song contest winner, Sorrow's Child, wins a home recording studio and his song will be among those available for download at apple.com/iTunes.

Launched in June to celebrate Black Music Month, the Hitmaker song contest invited aspiring musicians to submit original songs that included the key words Individual, Family, Community and Heritage. Sorrow's Child's song, "Do What KFC," will be featured on the Pride 360 CD along with songs from 11 other contest entrants. KFC and music industry veteran Bryant Reid, president and CEO of B Street Entertainment and the former vice president of A&R for LaFace Records and Atlantic Records, selected the 12 winning songs.

Born Wayne Williams in London, England, Sorrow's Child will now receive a new audience for his music. His and the other winning songs can also be heard at http://www.kfc.com/pride360.

Contest a success for music and school children

KFC executives said the second Hitmaker contest was even more successful than last year's version as it attracted 300 percent more song entries. It also helped to raise donations for Little Kids Rock, a national non-profit organization that supports music in the academic lives of public school children by providing instrument instruction, free instruments and trained mentors.

"This year's KFC Hitmaker song contest was an unprecedented success because we received more songs, we raised money for school kids and we're introducing hot, fresh talent to the music world," said KFC's Jermaine Higgins, Multicultural Marketing Manager. "We are pleased to congratulate Sorrow's Child and we're grateful to have the involvement of Bryant Reid. He helped us pick songs that really express the call to action of KFC's Pride 360."

About KFC

KFC Corporation, based in Louisville, Ky., is the world's most popular chicken restaurant chain specializing in Original Recipe(R), Extra Crispy(TM) and Original Recipe(R) Strips with home-style sides, Honey BBQ Wings, and freshly made chicken sandwiches. There are more than 14,000 KFC outlets in more than 80 countries and territories around the world, serving some 12 million customers each day. KFC Corporation is a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc., Louisville, Ky. (NYSE:YUM)

About Pride 360

Pride 360 is KFC's reminder that the reasons we succeed are all around us -- Individuals, Families, Communities and Heritage. KFC wants to encourage others to succeed and achieve by honoring their heritage and fostering a belief in people. KFC believes, "What we honor today comes full circle tomorrow." For more information about KFC's commitment to the African-American community, please visit http://www.kfc.com/pride360.

About Little Kids Rock

Little Kids Rock is a nonprofit organization that provides free musical instruments and music classes to low-income children in public schools. Little Kids Rock believes that music is a critical component of first-rate education. Founded by an elementary school teacher in 1996, Little Kids Rock is now serving thousands of students in California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Texas, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Washington D.C. More information can be found at http://www.littlekidsrock.org.

Source: KFC Corporation

CONTACT: Laurie Schalow of KFC, +1-502-874-8100, Laurie.Schalow@kfc.com;
or David Rudd, +1-312-988-2032, drudd@webershandwick.com, for KFC

Web site: http://www.kfc.com/pride360
http://www.littlekidsrock.org/

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