Iams hosts two-mile dog run during Flying Pig Marathon

Meredith Leslie, of P&G, runs with Pawl Griffin, Iams VP of Canine Communications, during the Iams Flying Fur dog run in downtown Cincinnati, May 3, 2014. More than 500 dogs and owners ran in the two-mile race as part of races taking place during the Flying Pig Marathon weekend events. Iams Bowls of Love will be donating a bag of petfood for each dog running in the event to the SPCA in Cincinnati. (Tom Uhlman/AP Images for Iams)

Iams partnered with the Flying Pig Marathon to create the first-ever Iams Flying Fur, a two-mile dog run, that took place on May 3, 2014 as part of the three-day Flying Pig Marathon weekend of activities.


test

In addition, Iams Bowls of Love, a national program geared towards helping pets in need, committed to donating one large bag of petfood for every dog participating in the run. With a total of 525 dogs at the event, Iams is donating a total of 7.5 tons of petfood to the local SPCA Cincinnati.
Partnering with Flying Pig Marathon to create a new competition was not only fun for dog owners and their pets, but also a great way to bring awareness and give back to shelters in the Cincinnati area, said Iams. Iams Bowls of Love is deeply committed to helping pets in need and partnering with hard-working organizations across the country. 

P&G may look to Del Monte to purchase Iams petfood division

Shareholder HighMark Capital Management Inc. said P&G, which is under pressure to revive itself, could improve sales and boost its share price by selling assets including the Iams petfood division. P&G shares are being discounted because the company is too diversified and too large, and selling assets like the pet-care business may be a "prudent move," Todd Lowenstein, a fund manager at HighMark Capital, said.
According to Exane BNP Paribas, Del Monte, a private-equity-owned company, is seeking to expand its pet products business after agreeing in October to sell its canned peaches and corn division for US$1.68 billion.
Selling the Iams division could result in as much as US$2.5 billion for P&G, said Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., while buying Iams would position Del Monte, with a 20 percent market share, ahead of Mars Inc. as the second largest to Nestle in the petfood and treats industry in North America. 
If P&G sold Iams, "the market would reward management with a higher multiple, a higher valuation because they are getting focused,"  said Lowenstein, whose firm oversees about US$19 billion including P&G shares. Iams is "non-core to their future strategic initiatives. They could probably exact a pretty decent price from someone who has a lot of synergy value in combining those businesses."
Ali Dibadj, a New York, USA-based analyst at Bernstein, said the Iams division could be worth about US$2.5 billion in a sale, while Ferry of Exane BNP Paribas estimated it could be valued closer to US$3 billion.
Paul Fox, a spokesman for P&G, said the company "will continue to focus our portfolio, allocating resources to businesses where we can create value and continuing to exit those where we cannot." He said the company does not comment on speculation when asked whether it would be open to selling the pet-care unit. 
Chrissy Trampedach, a spokeswoman for Del Monte Foods, said the company does not comment on specific merger and acquisition plans. 

Iams airing new commercial featuring therapy dog contest winner

Iams petfood brand is airing a new commercial in the US that features a story selected as the winner of the "Love Tails" contest. The commercial has been edited down from a long-form video on Facebook to a 30-second ad featuring the story of dog, Brooks, and owner Derek Underwood of Augusta, Georgia, USA. 
Brooks is a trained therapy dog who visits assisted-living homes. The commercial featuring Brooks' story will air on major US networks including CBS and NBC. 
Along with the new commercial, Iams is launching a Twitter campaign in which one bowl of petfood will be donated to pets in need for each use of #KeepLoveStrong hashtag, up to 10,000 bowls, through September 30. 
The "Love Tails" campaign ran from February 13-March 3 and received more than 500 entries from dog and cat owners. The campaign celebrated the love between people and their pets.

RECALL: P&G recalling Iams, Eukanuba dry petfood brands for potential Salmonella contamination

Procter & Gamble Company is recalling a number of lots of its Iams and Eukanuba dry petfood brands because the products have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.
These recalled dry dog and cat food products were made during a 10-day window at a single manufacturing site and distributed throughout the US. P&G's routine testing found that some of the products made during this timeframe have the potential for Salmonella contamination. 
A complete list of recalled cat and dog food products, including package size, lot code, UPC code and best-by date can be viewed on the US Food and Drug Administration's website.
The company says no Salmonella-related illnesses have been associated with the recalled products. Consumers who purchased these products should stop using them and discard them. Consumers can contact P&G for a refund at +1.800.208.0172, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST. 

Iams selects therapy dog as Love Tails contest winner

Petfood maker Iams selected a therapy dog from Augusta, Georgia, USA, as the grand-prize winner of the Love Tails contest. Brooks, a 2-year-old Golden Retriever, is a trained therapy dog who visits local assisted living facilities with owner, Derek Underwood.
The Love Tails contest received story submissions from more than 500 pet owners from February 14-March 3. Of these, 11 finalists were selected to have their stories presented in videos on Iams' Facebook page, where fans voted for the winner. A national ad campaign for Iams will feature Underwood and Brooks. 
To create his winning video entry, Underwood, a local filmmaker, teamed up with another local filmmaker, Hodges Usry, in an effort to show the genuine reactions of people who encountered the therapy dog for the first time. Underwood worked with a local facility, Morningside Assisted Living, which Brooks had never visited before, to film the dog's interactions with residents. 
"My mother decided to get her certified (as a therapy dog) so we could volunteer with her," Underwood said. "It's always a really positive experience whenever you're visiting. You see the way they light up," he said.

Iams petfood brand to host Doggie Jam concert in Canada on June 8

On June 8, Iams petfood brand will host a concert for dogs in Canada in celebration of the launch of Iams SO GOOD! dog food. The Iams So GOOD! Doggie Jam will bring together nearly 5,000 dogs and their owners to celebrate the love between people and pets. 
The Doggie Jam will feature the Toronto Concert Orchestra and Chorus playing classical dog-inspired music. The event will also offer attendees a free product coupon sample, redeemable for a bag of new Iams SO GOOD! petfood. 
For more details about the event and to purchase tickets, visit the Ticketmaster website.

Iams petfood brand campaign reminds owners that pets aren't vegetarians

Petfood company Procter & Gamble recently relaunched its Iams ProActive Health premium dry dog and cat food brands. This includes "new marketing messages that remind pet owners that their dogs and cats are not vegetarians," according to Jon Moeller, chief financial officer of P&G. 
Moeller said some petfoods add plant proteins like gluten, but Iams' petfoods contain 50 percent more animal protein than comparable products and no added gluten.
The relaunch also includes new packaging sizes to target consumers' preferred price points. 
Additionally, several new products will be launched over the coming months. Iams' So Good brand will be its first in the mid-priced dry dog food category, containing ingredients like chicken, fruits and vegetables, but free of dyes, added sugar and and artificial preservatives. Iams Woof Delights will be launched to offer consumers a choice of wet dog food, free of fillers, artificial flavors and added gluten.

RECALL: P&G recalls Iams Shakeables Turkey, Lamb dog treats

Procter & Gamble has issued a recall of select lot numbers of Iams Shakeables Turkey dog treats and Iams Shakeables Lamb dog treats due to possible mold growth in the dog treats.
Affected Iams Shakeables Turkey and Lamb dog treat formulas include 6-ounce cans marked with the following lot numbers:
[2342]419715A
[2325]419715A
[2331]419715A
[2332]419715A
[2341]419715A
[3016]419715A
[3017]419715A
[3018]419715A
[3046]419715A
[2338]419715A
Consumers who purchased the recalled Iams Shakeables Turkey dog treats and Lamb dog treats should contact Procter & Gamble at +1.877.894.4458.

Iams pet food brand launches Unconditional Love Tails contest

Iams pet food brand has launched its Unconditional Love Tails contest, which asks pet lovers to tell the story of the unique bond shared with their pets for the chance to win a cash prize, free Iams pet food and more.
Now through March 3, consumers can go to Iams' Facebook page to enter the contest and submit a story and photo about the unique bond they share with their dogs and cats.
Iams will select 10 finalists to win a cash prize and a year's supply of pet food. A grand-prize winner will also be chosen among the finalists by Facebook fans to appear with their pet in a national advertisement for Iams. 

Pet food retailer Fressnapf Switzerland cuts prices

Pet food retailer Fressnapf Switzerland cut the price of premium pet food for all customers with the company's loyalty card.
Applicable to pet food brands such as Royal Canin, Iams, Eukanuba, Hill’s, Happy Dog/Happy Cat, Pro Plan, Select Gold, Iso Dog/Iso Cat, Nutro Choice, Almo Nature and Schweizer, the 10 percent discount applies immediately in stores and in the company’s online shop. The price-drop campaign is also supported by new Facebook ads, online banners and customer flyers. 

Iams donates 5.5 million pet food bowls as part of pet adoption drive

Through Iams pet food brand's Home 4 the Holidays pet adoption drive, which ran October 1, 2012, through January 2, nearly 1.3 million pets were placed in forever homes in partnership with the Helen Woodward Animal Center. As part of the drive, Iams donated 5.5 million bowls of pet food to homeless pets.
The adoption drive also focused on providing proper nutrition to pets, and it allowed consumers to get involved by purchasing specially marked pet food bags, taking part in the Digital Dish Drive on Iams' Facebook page and joinging Iams' Life Long Rewards program. In total, Iams' pet adoption drive placed 684,896 dogs, 553,550 cats and 26,663 other animals in homes.
“We're celebrating the fact that in just three months we helped save the lives of almost 1.3 million animals,” said Mike Arms, founder of the adoption drive and president of Helen Woodward Animal Center. “We're proud of the work we've done and we're especially proud of the hard work the partner organizations continue to do every day. Take the story of Wyatt, a tiny kitten who was abandoned and found near death. Wyatt was nursed back to health by dedicated cat rescue volunteers and has since found his forever home. Stories like these show us the importance of promoting pet adoption and how a program like Iams Home 4 the Holidays can make a huge difference in the life of a pet."

Iams to donate pet food to shelters for YouTube video views

Iams pet food brand has partnered with the Talking Animals Channel on YouTube to create a video of a classic song performed by singing pets. For every like, share and view of the video, the pet food brand will donate a meal to homeless pets in its shelter network.
The video is part of the Iams Home 4 the Holidays pet adoption campaign, held October 1 through January 2, 2013.
Other ways to help get involved in the campaign through adopting a pet or helping to feed an animal, include: online Digital Dish Drive (meals will be donated to homeless pets through likes and comments on the Iams Facebook page); Friends 4 Life program (consumers who sign up can help designate which shelters should receive pet food from Iams); and Bags 4 Bowls (buy a bag of Iams pet food and a meal will be donated to an orphaned pet).

New distribution concept for Iams, Eukanuba pet food brands in Germany

Pet food manufacturer Procter & Gamble will introduce a new sales and distribution concept in Germany for its Eukanuba and Iams pet food brands, beginning January 1, 2013.
Procter & Gamble will assume responsibility for the order, shipping and billing function and for key account management. The current German distributor, Nash & Nunki, will aid in providing service in the new sales and distribution concept, as well as will service pet product retailers.
“The new structures make it possible to get closer to the customers and to utilize the respective strengths of P&G and Nash and Nunki even more effectively. They will enable us to react more quickly to trends in the market, understand our customers better and develop tailored solutions for the [specialty] trade accordingly,” said Lars C. Ortlieb, communications manager for Procter & Gamble's pet care division.  

Iams pet food brand launches Keep Love Strong ad campaign

Iams pet food brand launched a new advertising campaign, Keep Love Strong, to showcase the unconditional bond of love shared between people and their pets.
As part of the advertising campaign, the pet food company asked consumers to vote on stories via Iams' Facebook page that best showed the emotional bond between owners and pets. The winners will be featured in new commercials for Iams.
The five new TV commercials, two cats and three dog, were all designed to showcase the important role of high-quality pet food in keeping a pet healthy and strong. The winning commercials will air on national TV in the US beginning in early December. 

Iams kicks off Home 4 the Holidays pet adoption drive

Iams pet food brand has began the 14th year of its Iams Home 4 the Holidays pet adoption drive in partnership with the Helen Woodward Animal Center, running through January 2, 2013, which seeks to raise awareness of pet adoption while ensuring proper nutrition for homeless pets.
New for 2012, the Digital Dish Drive will feature a different dog and cat available for adoption on the Iams Facebook page. During scheduled “feeding” times each day, Iams will donate a meal to a participating shelter for every “Like” or “Share.”
Iams Bags 4 Bowls program will also donate free pet food to participating animal shelters during the campaign, donating one bowl of food for each purchase of a specially marked package of Iams pet food. Additionally, Iams will donate food to a homeless pet awaiting adoption for each person that signs up for Iams Lifelong Rewards program after they adopt a new pet.
“With as many as 7 million orphaned pets in the US, this campaign is a wonderful platform to raise awareness about pet homelessness,” said Ondrea Francy, Iams general manager. “This year, Iams and Helen Woodward Animal Center are looking to donate more bowls of food than ever before to orphaned pets; last year we gave 5 million meals to animal organizations and we're looking to exceed that goal this year!”
As part of the campaign kick-off, Iams employees will celebrate the pet adoption drive with their annual Paws 4 a Cause event at Circle Tail, a pet shelter outside of Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. More than 300 volunteers from Iams and other P&G Pet Care brands will donate almost 2,400 man hours to give the shelter a makeover and highlight the animals awaiting adoption there. 

Iams petfood prepares for Home 4 the Holidays facebook campaign in October

Iams pet food brand is getting ready to begin its Home 4 the Holidays campaign to fight pet homelessness and feed orphaned animals, which will run from October 1 through January 2, 2013.
As part of this year's Home 4 the Holidays campaign, people will be able to visit the Iams Facebook page to participate in the Digital Dish Drive to help donate meals to dogs and cats by liking or commenting on posts during the campaign. The campaign's Friends 4 Life program will allow consumers to sign up and designate which shelters they think should receive pet food from Iams. Additionally, the Bags 4 Bowls program will donate a meal to an orphaned per for each bag of Iams pet food sold.

IAMS petfood brand names 16 'Play Young, Stay Young' contest winners

Zico, age 12, is from Germantown, Maryland, USA.

IAMS petfood brand recently selected 16 winning cats and dogs in its national “Play Young, Stay Young” Facebook contest, launched in celebration of the new IAMS Senior Plus formula for dogs and cats over age 11.
The "Play Young, Stay Young" Facebook contest asked pet owners to submit a photo of their dog or cat over age 11 and explain, in 100 words or less, how their pet refuses to act his or her age. IAMS selected 16 winners, eight dogs and eight cats, based on a photo and essay demonstrating which pets best embodied “play young, stay young," and profiled a special cat and dog each week for eight weeks on its Facebook page in addition to giving each winning pet a year’s supply of IAMS Senior Plus petfood.
“It was inspiring to read the many stories and see all the beautiful photos of cats and dogs, 11 and older, who simply refuse to act their age,” said Laura Lewis, external relations manager, IAMS. “What better way to help shine a spotlight on the importance of feeding pets proper nutrition based on their age, than a national contest where 16 amazing pets won a year’s supply of food?”




Jimmy, age 11, is from Bloomer, Wisconsin, USA.


The 16 “Play Young, Stay Young” winners, ranging in age from 11 through 16, are:
Cats
•Jimmy (age 11) – Jimmy loves to jump in and out of his house, to the delight of his other pet companions.
•Munchkin (age 11) – Believing that she is still a kitten, Munchkin loves to chase other felines many years her junior.
•Maisy (age 12) – Losing her leg to cancer hasn’t stopped Maisy from participating in her favorite activities – chasing dogs and climbing trees!
•Socks (age 12) – Socks has been praised by his veterinarian for having the vitals of a 2 year-old feline.
•Teddy (age 12) – Described by his owner as “epitome of lively and active,” Teddy has shown no signs of age slowing him down.
•Tituba (age 15) – This cat still has all the pep in her step to keep up with her active caretaker.
•Munchkin (age 11) – Munchkin still believes that she is a kitten, even though she is going on 12 years!
•Cortez (age 13) – Cortez acts years beyond her age and frequently goes for walks around the neighborhood with her owner!
Dogs
•Lucy (age 11) – Lucy is always available to hand out kisses and hugs and looks forward to her daily walks with her owner.
•Buddie (age 12) –Buddie’s “pet brother,” a puppy, has a difficult time keeping up with this running and sliding aficionado.
•Sophie (age 12) – Persistent and strong, Sophie is famous amongst the pups in the neighborhood for retrieving trees from the middle of community lakes and bringing them ashore.
•Zico (age 12) – A retired therapy dog, Zico has provided his family with comfort during the most difficult times.
•Abby (age 13) – “Fetch” is still this Labrador’s favorite game!
•Bitty (age 13) – This feisty Chihuahua mix loves to play “tug o’ war” with the Dalmatian she shares her home with.
•Phoofie (age 12) – This pup loves to play ball every day and continues to show the spring in her step!
•Asher (age 15) – Asher loves to go for walks and is often mistaken for being years younger than she really is! 

Iams pet food launches Facebook contest for senior pets

Iams pet food brand is launching a contest on its Facebook page that lets dog and cat owners whose pets are 11 years old or older enter to win a year's supply of pet food to celebrate the Iams new Senior Plus formula and educate pet owners about the unique nutritional needs of senior pets. 
Each week, the "Play Young, Stay Young" contest will select a winning dog and cat, based on a photo and brief essay submitted by the owner. The contest, which runs through June 3, will award a total of 16 pets (eight dogs and eight cats) with a year's supply of Iams Senior Plus and will feature the pets on its Facebok page. 
“On the heels of introducing our new Senior Plus formula, we launched the ‘Play Young, Stay Young’ contest to offer pet parents a fun and unique opportunity to celebrate their 11 and older four-legged family members with the chance to win free food for a year,” said Laura Lewis, external relations manager, Iams. “We’re all looking forward to reading the many entries that bring to life how cats and dogs can really benefit from a proper diet and active lifestyle.” 

RECALL: Iams ProActive Health Smart Puppy dog food recalled for high aflatoxin levels

Pet food manufacturer Procter & Gamble is voluntarily recalling select bags of Iams ProActive Health Smart Puppy dry dog food, due to aflatoxin levels detected higher than the accepted limit.

The recall is for 7-, 8-, and 17.5-pound bags of the Iams dog food, marked with expiration dates of February 5, 2013, and February 6, 2013. The affected bags were distributed in the following places in the US: Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Maine, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Virginia.
The company said no illnesses have been reported yet as a result of the contaminated petfood, but the recall is being issued as a precautionary measure. Pets that consume the product and show signs of sluggishness or lethargy, reluctance to eat, vomiting, yellowish tinted eyes or gums, or diarrhea should be taken to a veterinarian, the company says. Consumers who purchased the recalled food should stop using it immediately, throw it out and contact Iams for a replacement voucher.

P&G expands Iams Naturals pet food line

Procter & Gamble's Iams pet food brand added two dry dog food recipes to its Naturals petfood line: Sensitive Naturals, and Simple & Natural.
The Sensitive Naturals recipe contains ocean fish as the first ingredient, Iams says, and is ideal for dogs with ingredient sensitivities. Iams says its Simple & Natural formula contains chicken as the first ingredient for 100% nutrition with no fillers. Both dry kibble recipes also contain rice and barley, along with higher levels of omega 6 and omega 3 fatty acids, natural prebiotic fructooligosaccharides, beet pulp, apple pomace and increased levels of vitamin E, according to Iams.
All of the Iams Naturals pet food recipes are available at pet specialty stores, mass retailers and grocers.