Nestle Refrigerated Cookie Dough kicks off national kids' contest with charitable tie-in; Zachery Ty Bryan from TV's ''Home Improvement'' to serve as honorary judge and spokesperson.

GLENDALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 10, 1995--A fun and educational contest for kids is sweeping America this spring.

Co-sponsored by Nestle Refrigerated Food Co. (NRFC), the manufacturer of Nestle Refrigerated Cookie Dough, and Woman's Day Magazine, Kids Save the Animals aims to raise national awareness among kids and families about wildlife preservation and the growing number of endangered animals.

For each contest entry (up to 5,000), Nestle will make a charitable donation to the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA) to support its conservation programs aimed at preserving endangered animals for future generations.

The national contest -- which is open to kids ages 6-14 -- is simple. Between March 15 and May 31, all kids have to do to enter the contest is respond, in 50 words or less, to the following: ``Tell us what endangered animal you want to save the most and why'' and ``Tell us what you like the most about Nestle Refrigerated Cookie Dough.''

Each contestant can submit his/her entry on a Woman's Day official entry form (found in the April 4 issue on sale March 14) or on a 3 x 5 card with his/her name, address, phone number and age, along with one product UPC from any flavor of Nestle Refrigerated Cookie Dough. (Purchase is not required of Arizona, Vermont and Maryland residents.) One 8-1/2 x 11 page may be attached to entry if needed to answer questions.

Zachery Ty Bryan, 13, who plays Brad Taylor on TV's top-rated sitcom, ``Home Improvement,'' will serve as the contest spokesperson and an honorary judge. In addition to his judging responsibilities, Zach will notify the grand prize winner by phone on or about June 30.

``Our contest will provide kids with a fun activity that allows them to learn about animal conservation and what it means to protect an animal that is threatened or endangered as a species,'' said Rhonda Plexico, marketing manager, NRFC. ``Plus, it's exciting for a child to know his/her entry is being judged by a celebrity.''

The grand prize winner will receive a 4-day, 3-night family vacation for four to his/her choice of San Diego or Orlando/Tampa, Fla. The grand prize includes coach airfare, hotel accommodations, rental car, tickets to the San Diego Zoo or Wild Animal Park and Sea World (in San Diego) or Sea World in Orlando and Busch Gardens in Tampa, and a Nestle welcome bag (approximate retail value is $4,000).

Three first prize winners also will be selected and will receive a family zoo package, including an annual family membership to the AZA-member zoo or aquarium closest to his/her home (approximate retail value is $100 each). Nestle Refrigerated Cookie Dough magnets will be awarded to the first 1,000 eligible contestants, just for entering.

As part of the national contest, Nestle also is offering a program extension at 53 zoos and aquariums across the country. The program -- Kids Save the Animals Wrapper Days -- encourages community residents to become members of their local AZA-member zoo or aquarium by offering a discount off an annual membership (dollar amounts vary at each participating location) when they bring in a package wrapper of Nestle Refrigerated Cookie Dough.

Participants in this program also can enter the national contest by filling out an entry form at participating zoos and aquariums.

The American Zoo and Aquarium Association represents 165 institutional members, encompassing almost every major zoological park, aquarium, wildlife park and oceanarium in North America. Conservation of the world's wildlife and its habitat is the highest priority of the AZA and is the focus of the AZA's Species Survival Plan, which manages cooperative breeding programs for over 70 species.

Woman's Day is published 17 times a year by Hachette Pilipacchi Magazines Inc. in New York. Each issue is read by an estimated 22 million people. Woman's Day reaches one out of every five American woman and is the largest single-copy women's magazine sold in the United States.

Nestle Refrigerated Food Co., the manufacturer of Nestle Refrigerated Cookie Dough and a variety of other refrigerated foods, is a subsidiary of Nestle USA Inc., and has headquarters in Glendale.

Nestle Refrigerated Cookie Dough is available nationally in four great flavors, including Chocolate Chip Cookies with real Nestle Toll House Morsels; Sugar Cookies with bits of Butterfinger pieces; Oatmeal Cookies with Raisinets milk chocolate covered raisins; and Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookies with real Nestle Toll House Morsels. -0-

NOTE TO EDITORS: Call Charlene Gigliotti at 818/509-1840, ext. 211 if you would like to receive the complete Official Rules, a list of participating zoos/aquariums or a photo of Zachery Ty Bryan.

CONTACT: Manning, Selvage & Lee

Charlene Gigliotti, 818/509-1840, ext. 211