Shaq Teams Up With Some Unexpected Partners

Shaq has been in the news a lot recently since he’s retired from basketball, but there’s bigger news to discuss. Shaq has teamed up with some unusual teammates o revolutionize an iconic American institution – the “got milk” campaign.

There have been more than 300 “Got Milk” ads featuring celebrities with milk moustaches, but this is the first ever ad to feature milk’s favorite cookie: Oreos! This dream team has been assembled to celebrate National Dairy Month this June, and getting Oreo coupons and a tall glass of milk is one way you can get in on the fun.

You can also log on to www.MilkandOreo.com, submit a description of your favorite milk and Oreo moment, and enter for a chance to win free milk and Oreo cookies! One winner will be selected every hour for the whole month, so there are a lot of cookies to be won for all you cookie monsters out there.

"The ad was created to inspire and encourage families to share special moments with each other over Oreo cookies and milk, just as Shaquille and his mom Lucille have done since he was young," said Victor Zaborsky, marketing director of the milk education program. "We cannot think of a better partner to invite into our campaign than 'Milk's Favorite Cookie.'"

Shaq is pretty stoked about the new team that has been assembled, too.

"Oreo cookies and milk are a slam dunk in my book.  My mom and I have enjoyed them together since I was a little kid. Now, as an adult, I do the same with my children," said the basketball superstar. "It was fun to share another 'dunk' with my mom in this upcoming ad."

You don’t have to be a legendary basketball star to enjoy the classic combination of milk and Oreos, of course – you just need a few Oreo coupons and a nice cold glass of milk! 

Huggies MomInspired Grants Give Moms a Business Boost

     If necessity is the mother or invention, shouldn’t moms be the people most equipped to give birth to new childcare ideas? Huggies thought so, and they’re putting their money on it. Through the Huggies MomInspired grant program, enterprising moms can earn grants to turn their business dreams into reality. Huggies has offered moms a way to save with Huggies coupons for a long time, and the company sees this new grant program as a great way to reach out to and help the people who interact with their brand most. 

     Last year, female-run businesses grew at a rate of almost 23 percent, twice as high as business growth as a whole, which means there are a lot of busy, brilliant, working women out there. But studies have shown that women also face a more difficult time getting funding for their start-ups -- only three percent of venture capital funds go to women, according to research from Babson College. The implications of this disparity are upsetting in more ways than one – not only do women have to fight harder to enter the business world, but an untold number of potentially revolutionary ideas are excluded from the market.

     Under the MomInspired grant program, Kimberly-Clark, Huggies’ parent company, is awarding $250,000 dollars in grants – up to $15,000 per idea – to help moms finance their startup business ideas. The problems faced by women who hope to succeed in business and as parents are unique, and K-C wanted to create a project that would address that. 

    “One mom said, 'I need $15,000 to secure an attorney and file a patent on this idea. But I work and I'm losing sleep at night because the only place I can get it is in the money I’ve been saving up for my kids college fund. How do I cobble together capital to get to the next step, to get this a little further?'" said Stephen Paljieg, K-C’s senior director of innovation.

      The program is being promoted via ads and links on the Huggies homepage and social networking sites to ensure that information about the grants reaches the women who will benefit most. Are you a mom with a great business idea? Check out the official Huggies website for info on the MomInspired grant program and for some money-saving Huggies coupons.