MINNEAPOLIS, Dec. 28 /PRNewswire/ — Award-winning country music star Julie Roberts announced today a partnership with Schwan’s Consumer Brands North America, Inc. While details of this strategic alliance are forthcoming, the combination of Julie Roberts — a fast-rising star in the country music business — and Schwan’s Consumer Brands — an international leader in the frozen foods industry — creates distinctive opportunities for branding and consumer programming.

The partnership with Julie Roberts will include Red Baron single-serve pizzas and snacks, and Asian Sensations products — on trend, Asian inspired hot snacks that are approachable and have a strong appeal to a broad consumer audience. The company has successfully leveraged its innovation and expertise in the frozen pizza industry to the snacks category with the development of single-serve, snacks, and mini-meals such as Red Baron Thin & Crispy Singles, Red Baron French Bread, as well as Asian Sensations egg rolls and appetizers.

“I have been a big fan of frozen Red Baron pizza and Asian Sensations products,” said Julie Roberts. “I contacted them about working together because their products are my favorite choices for pizzas and snacks, and I want my fans to know what great products they offer.”

Commenting on the partnership, Mark Jansen, Vice President of Product Strategy for Schwan’s Consumer Brands North America, Inc., said, “We are delighted to be partnering with country music star Julie Roberts. Amongst the many benefits for our customers will be breakthrough marketing programs to create excitement in-store with our consumers.”

About Julie Roberts

Known for her deep, blues-soaked voice that poignantly captures the pain of the wronged and forgotten, Julie Roberts has quickly become a favorite of fans and music critics alike. Entertainment Weekly awarded her 2004 self-titled debut CD an ‘A,’ calling it “one of the most auspicious debuts in years.” The New York Times said Roberts’ aching and resolute hit, “Break Down Here,” was “one of the year’s best country ballads.” Spotting her talent early, CMT selected Roberts to be the first artist ever to appear in In the Moment, the music network’s hour-long documentary on the making of a star.

The album was certified gold and led to two Horizon Award nominations from the Country Music Association, as well as a Top New Artist nomination and a Top New Female Vocalist nomination from the Academy of Country Music Awards, as well as a Breakthrough Artist nomination from the CMT Awards. She delivered three memorable performances on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and was chosen over artists in all musical genres to sing the “Good To Go” theme song of the television show Good Morning America.

Now with her second album, Men and Mascara, Roberts proves she’s in it for the long run. Her acclaimed sophomore album has brought accolades and critical acclaim far and wide, including raves from The New York Times, USA Today, People, and Vanity Fair, to name a few. In Touch summed it up this way: “With the Country-blues sound of Bonnie Raitt and the voice and looks of Faith Hill, it won’t be long before Julie Roberts is a household name.” With her music released in the UK and Ireland on Wrasse Records, it looks like her domestic success will soon be following her overseas. For additional information, visit http://www.julieroberts.com/ .

About Schwan’s Consumer Brands North America, Inc.

Schwan’s Consumer Brands North America, Inc., a subsidiary of The Schwan Food Company, has marketed and distributed premium frozen foods since 1970. Its brands include Red Baron(R), Freschetta(R), and Tony’s(R) pizzas, Asian Sensations(TM) snacks and appetizers, and Larry’s(R) potatoes. The business is based in Bloomington, Minnesota. The brands are represented in more than 50,000 retail outlets across the United States.

The Schwan Food Company is the largest, privately held manufacturer and marketer of fine frozen foods in the United States and operates production and distribution facilities across the United States, Europe and in Canada to serve customers in more than 25 countries through home delivery, retail grocery and foodservice channels. Headquartered in Marshall, Minn., for more than 50 years, Schwan employs about 22,000 people. To learn more about the company, visit http://www.theschwanfoodcompany.com/ .