If NASA Finds Conclusive Evidence of an Ocean on Mars, America Eats Free Giant Shrimp
Long John Silver’s First to Capitalize on Mars Exploration with Out-of-This-World Offer, Sets Sights on First Seafood Restaurant on Mars
NASA’s Top Mars Exploration Scientists to Validate Findings
Long John Silver’s announced today that it will give America free
Giant Shrimp if NASA’s Mars Exploration Rover project finds conclusive
evidence of an ocean on Mars by February 29, 2004. The
out-of-this-world offer from the world’s most popular seafood chain
celebrates NASA’s efforts to find traces of ocean water — and
possibly, evidence of life — on Mars.
Steve Davis, President of Long John Silver’s, Inc., sent a letter
to NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe, expressing support for NASA’s
efforts to find conclusive evidence of an ocean on Mars. In addition,
Davis announced plans to provide free Giant Shrimp to America if
conclusive evidence of an ocean is found.
“We have closely followed NASA’s recent exploration of Mars and
all of us are rooting you on to find ocean water on the Red Planet,”
Davis wrote. “The ‘Free Giant Shrimp’ offer is our way of saying
NASA’s exploration of Mars and the discovery of ocean water would be
‘one small step for man, one giant leap for seafood.'”
In the letter, Davis also officially registered interest in Long
John Silver’s becoming the first seafood restaurant on Mars. “It’s not
a matter of ‘if,’ it’s just a matter of ‘when’ human beings are able
to live permanently on Mars. Long John Silver’s mission is to feed
people with delicious seafood wherever they are — on earth or even
outer space.”
“We are strongly behind NASA’s efforts to find conclusive evidence
of an ocean on Mars for two reasons,” said Mike Baker, Chief Marketing
Officer for Long John Silver’s, Inc. “As Americans, we’re proud of
NASA’s exploration of space; as the world’s most popular quick-service
seafood chain, we get excited about ocean water, wherever it is. If
there’s ocean water on Mars, that would be giant news. And giant news
calls for Giant Shrimp!”
Long John Silver’s new Giant Shrimp are huge, measuring nearly a
half-foot long. “Our new Giant Shrimp are so big, they’re really ‘out
of this world,'” said Baker.
Consumers can buy the new Giant Shrimp at the chain’s more than
1,250 restaurants beginning February 16, 2004. If NASA announces the
discovery of conclusive evidence of an ocean on Mars prior to February
29, 2004, America gets free Giant Shrimp at participating Long John
Silver’s restaurants on Monday, March 15, 2004, from 2 p.m. until 5
p.m.
Baker and his team are closely monitoring the progress of the Mars
Exploration Rover “Spirit,” which has already begun its quest to find
evidence of ocean water on Earth’s celestial next-door neighbor.
The company will rely on top scientific experts leading NASA’s
Athena Science Payload Investigation team to ultimately provide an
official declaration if conclusive evidence of an ocean has been found
on Mars. Long John Silver’s will look to the team’s Principal
Investigator Steven Squyres and Deputy Principal Investigator Ray
Arvidson to provide official news on NASA’s Mars exploration web site
at http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov.
In addition, consumers can find updates on NASA’s progress and
join in the hunt for ocean water on Mars by visiting
www.ljsilvers.com.
Long John Silver’s has purchased an insurance policy to cover the
anticipated cost of the free Giant Shrimp redemption, should NASA
announce the discovery of conclusive evidence of an ocean on Mars
between now and February 29, 2004. In the event NASA makes an official
announcement that conclusive evidence of an ocean has been discovered
on Mars prior to that date, every person in the U.S. will have an
opportunity to obtain one free Giant Shrimp at participating Long John
Silver’s restaurants in the United States. Redemption will take place
on Monday, March 15, 2004, from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. Additional
information and offer details will be made available to consumers on
the Long John Silver’s web site and in press materials, should this
event occur.
For purposes of Long John Silver’s offer, an ocean is defined as a
single body of water, the surface area of which equals or exceeds five
million square kilometers. See official rules at www.ljsilvers.com for
details.
Long John Silver’s, Inc. based in Louisville, Kentucky, is the
world’s most popular quick-service seafood chain specializing in a
variety of seafood items including batter-dipped fish, chicken, shrimp
and hushpuppies. Inspired by Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic Treasure
Island, Long John Silver’s, Inc. was founded in 1969 in response to
growing consumer demand for quick-service seafood. Today, there are
more than 1,250 Long John Silver’s, Inc. restaurants worldwide serving
nearly four million customers each week. Long John Silver’s, Inc. is a
subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc., the world’s largest
restaurant company in terms of system units with approximately 33,000
restaurants in more than 100 countries and territories. The Long John
Silver’s web site is www.ljsilvers.com.
Contact:
Long John Silver’s Public Relations
Rick Maynard, 502-874-8200
or
Cohn & Wolfe
Melanie Gravdal, 310-967-2900
