Unsigned Artists Kina Grannis, Landon Austin and Nivla Named Finalists in Doritos Crash The Super Bowl Challenge

Fan Votes Online Determined Top Three, Now to Determine Which One Performer Will Star in Their Own 60-second Music Video During the Super Bowl XLII Broadcast

The Doritos brand announced today the three unsigned group and solo artists voted by fans nationwide to be finalists in the Doritos “Crash the Super Bowl” challenge. In Oct. 2007, Doritos invited undiscovered musicians across the country to submit an audio and video performance of an original song that is, like Doritos tortilla chips, inspired by the musician’s passion and creativity based on his or her own bold or intense experiences.

After the “top ten” semi-finalists were selected by a panel of judges including GRAMMY-award winning musician, songwriter and producer will.i.am, Jack Joseph Puig, A&R Executive Vice President and Producer for Geffen Records, and Ryan O’Donnell, A&R Executive for Interscope Geffen A&M Records (IGA) and the Doritos team, online fan votes cast between Dec. 17 and Dec. 31, 2007 determined the top three.

“The talent discovered in this music challenge is hands down some of the best I’ve ever seen and heard,” said will.i.am. “These artists are ready to go on tour.”

The three finalists (in alphabetical order by artist) and their original song submissions are:

1. Kina Grannis of Austin, Texas: “Message From Your Heart”
Born and raised in Mission Viejo, Calif., 22-year-old Kina Grannis graduated from the University of Southern California in May 2007. Her immediate next step was to pack her bags for Austin, Texas to pursue her dream of becoming a professional singer/songwriter. It was that bold, life-changing move that inspired Kina to write “Message From Your Heart,” her first original song since settling in the city known for its rich musical culture. The acoustic recording is about her belief that the heart is the most fundamental part of life, literally and metaphorically, and it represents her respect for the daily adventures of life.

2. Landon Austin of Dallas, Texas: “Waitin”
19-year-old Landon Austin had a desire to play music even as a child. He received his first guitar from his parents at the age of nine and hasn’t put it down since. As a junior in high school, Landon’s talent was recognized in his hometown when he won Dallas’ local “Texas 10 Under 20” contest. Now a freshman at Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn., Landon has a chance at a national spotlight like none other. His original song “Waitin” is loosely based on a girl that Landon liked in high school and the feeling of not knowing how she felt in return, but being okay with it either way. Knowing that many others have been in the same emotional situation, Landon is thrilled to be sharing his original song with so many new fans.

3. Nivla featuring P. Oberoi of New York, NY: “Be Easy (Koi Naa)”
Hailing from the greater New York City area, 27-year-old Nivla is leading a South Asian musical movement by rapping with style and lyrics that fuse his Indian roots with American culture. A personal banker by trade, Nivla’s dream is to bring his music to the masses and change the world, and being selected by fans as a Doritos “Crash the Super Bowl” finalist puts him one huge step closer to that goal. As the first Indian rapper to be featured in XXL, Nivla is part of a larger music group called “Soul Tap Squad,” which includes P. Oberoi who is featured in their song, “Be Easy (Koi Naa).” This original record is a feel good, party song that blends Soul Tap’s unique sound with the sounds of a dancehall.

Now through Jan. 28, 2008, fans of Doritos chips and music lovers anywhere in North America can vote for their favorite finalist at www.snackstrongproductions.com to determine which music act will have its original song air as a music video in a commercial break during the Super Bowl XLII broadcast on FOX on Feb. 3, 2008. In addition to having their “big break” on one of the world’s largest stages, the winner will also receive a record deal with IGA. The three finalists will each be awarded $10,000 and a trip to Phoenix to attend the Doritos Super Bowl party.

“The fans have spoken and we are thrilled to take Kina, Landon and Nivla one step closer to the opportunity of a lifetime” said Ann Mukherjee, group vice president, marketing, Frito-Lay. “This was never about finding the next Doritos jingle. From day one, we were on a quest to discover new talent and open doors to help launch careers.”

The “Crash the Super Bowl” campaign is the evolution of the Doritos brand allowing consumers to be in control. In 2007, the Doritos brand aired two consumer-created commercials during Super Bowl XLI as part of the first Doritos “Crash the Super Bowl” challenge. These two ads kicked-off the first-ever consumer-created Doritos brand television ad campaign, in which all five of the Doritos “Crash the Super Bowl” finalists’ ads aired on national television.

Frito-Lay North America is the $10 billion convenient foods division of PepsiCo, which is headquartered in Purchase, NY. In addition to Frito-Lay, PepsiCo divisions include Pepsi-Cola, Quaker Foods, Gatorade and Tropicana.