Dunkin' Brands Announces Marketing Partnership with NBA All-Star LeBron James in Taiwan

Basketball Superstar signs multiyear agreement to support Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin-Robbins expansion in Taiwan

TAIPEI, March 5, 2012 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- Dunkin' Brands, Inc., (Nasdaq: DNKN) the parent company of two of the world's most recognized brands, Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin-Robbins, today announced a multi-year marketing agreement with NBA All-Star and two-time league MVP LeBron James to support the company's continued growth in Taiwan. Under the terms of the agreement, James will work to promote both Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin-Robbins in Taiwan through advertisements, online media and in-store marketing, as well as personal appearances at select brand locations.

The partnership is another step, for both James and Dunkin' Brands, in their continued focus on connecting with consumers and fans in Taiwan. The Company has more than 5,400 restaurants in the Asia Pacific area, including 35 Dunkin' Donuts in Taiwan. In 2011 James' did his fourth tour of Asia. He has the number-one selling basketball jerseys and basketball shoes in mainland China. 

The idea for a Dunkin'-James partnership originated in Shanghai, mainland China. After meeting James at the world festival of sport event this past summer, Dunkin' Brands Chief Global Marketing and Innovation Officer John Costello recognized the basketball star's tremendous following in the region. "When I met LeBron in mainland China and watched him interact with fans, I realized that with his incredible appeal in the Asia Pacific region and our incredible growth opportunity in the area, he would be the ideal brand ambassador for Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin-Robbins in both our established and emerging markets," said Costello. "We are delighted to have LeBron, a world-class athlete, representing Dunkin' Donuts in Taiwan and believe our customers here will be thrilled about this announcement."

"I am really excited about partnering with Dunkin' Brands and connecting with the huge community of basketball fans in Taiwan on their behalf," said James. "Baskin-Robbins and Dunkin' Donuts are brands with an incredible passion for their customers, and I look forward to contributing to their growth in this region."

Dunkin' Brands has almost 16,800 restaurants in nearly 60 countries and is one of the largest U.S. quick service restaurant companies internationally by unit count.

Dunkin' Brands opened more than 600 net restaurants on a global basis in 2011 with almost 450 of those locations opening outside the United States. 

About Dunkin' Brands Group, Inc.

With almost 16,800 points of distribution in nearly 60 countries worldwide, Dunkin' Brands Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: DNKN) is one of the world's leading franchisors of quick service restaurants (QSR) serving hot and cold coffee and baked goods, as well as hard-serve ice cream. At the end of 2011, Dunkin' Brands' nearly 100 percent franchised business model included more than 10,000 Dunkin' Donuts restaurants and more than 6,700 Baskin-Robbins restaurants. For the full-year 2011, the company had system-wide sales of approximately US$8.4 billion. Dunkin' Brands Group, Inc. is headquartered in Canton, Mass.

About LeBron James

LeBron James is widely considered one of the greatest athletes of his generation. James' extraordinary basketball skills and dedication to the game have won him the admiration of fans from across the globe, and have made him an international icon. In 2010-11, James joined the Miami Heat where he led the team to the Eastern Conference Championship and the NBA Finals. This season he's been named an NBA All-Star for the eighth straight season. James is also an Olympic gold medalist, having served as co-captain of Team USA's gold medal run at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, mainland China. James is also involved in various charitable efforts, namely through the LeBron James Family Foundation. Founded by James in 2004, the program strives to empower children and single-parent households through innovative programming and initiatives, strengthening the ties between family members and building hope through education, physical fitness and better health for those who are dealing with adversity. Last year, James was also the recipient of the Boys and Girls Clubs Kid's Champion Award in DC. The LeBron James Family Foundation has donated over 4.5 million dollars to the Boys & Girls Club of America and various charitable organizations since the program's beginning.