PURCHASE, New York, May 12, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- #PEPSICHALLENGE – In a first-of-its-kind, Pepsi® is creating and producing a short film that will include footage from UrtheCast – the world's first full-color Ultra High-Definition video system located aboard the International Space Station (ISS), feature Pepsi consumers from around the world and leverage the creative and artistic direction of eight-time Grammy award winning entertainer Usher. As part of this year's Pepsi® Challenge™ campaign, the interstellar short film combines video, music, technology and storytelling, with Pepsi consumers across the globe playing a role in the experience.

Video - https://youtu.be/YNgpaMM6Fz4

Video - http://youtu.be/uNBu37YjtFE

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150508/214898

"On one level, the ambition of this short film is mind-boggling because it's an original screenplay that features real-life footage shot from outer-space," said Frank Cooper III, Chief Marketing Officer, Global Consumer Engagement, PepsiCo Global Beverages Group. "But, having visionary creators, cutting-edge technologists like UrtheCast and an iconic artist like Usher make it a realistic, exciting collaboration across tech, film, music and pop culture."

To be released this fall, the short film will be shot from multiple locations and perspectives – both on Earth and in space. Designed to unite and inspire generations around the world as part of the #PepsiChallenge, Pepsi will invite consumers to participate in this unique film phenomenon. Filming will take place in more than 10 countries across four continents where thousands of consumers will join together to be filmed by UrtheCast's proprietary HD video camera – permanently and impressively leaving their mark on history as part of this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

While UrtheCast captures a powerful perspective from space that few have ever experienced, Usher will invite fans to capture through a single photo an image that they feel inspires and amazes others to look at the world in a new way. Beginning today through June 2^nd, fans around the world can submit one photo each day to PepsiChallenge.com. Usher will select the most powerful image and invite the talent behind the lens to meet him on set at the upcoming film shoot, with the winning image also featured in the short film. For contest official rules, including eligibility requirements, and to view a selection of the best images from around the world, visit www.PepsiChallenge.com.

"Throughout my career, I've had the opportunity to be a part of some truly amazing experiences," said Usher. "I've always tried to push boundaries and to inspire others to go beyond what they perceive as their limits. I feel fortunate to have the opportunity to partner with Pepsi and UrtheCast to be a part of creating this intergalactic short film shot from space and am excited to jump in and take on this once-in-a-lifetime challenge and experience."

With a launch that marked #PepsiChallenge as the #1 Twitter trending topic worldwide, and engagements by and with Pepsi global brand ambassadors and international luminaries, fashion houses and sports celebrities alike, the Pepsi Challenge continues throughout 2015 with additional global and local challenges designed to galvanize consumers around the world to live life to the fullest and make every moment – big or small – epic. Challenges are issued on Pepsi social channels, PepsiChallenge.com and via global and local ambassadors. Visit www.PepsiChallenge.com and Pepsi social channels around the world for more information and challenge details.

About PepsiCo

PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated more than $66 billion in net revenue in 2014, driven by a complementary food and beverage portfolio that includes Frito-Lay, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Quaker and Tropicana. PepsiCo's product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and beverages, including 22 brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales. At the heart of PepsiCo is Performance with Purpose – our goal to deliver top-tier financial performance while creating sustainable growth and shareholder value. In practice, Performance with Purpose means providing a wide range of foods and beverages from treats to healthy eats; finding innovative ways to minimize our impact on the environment and reduce our operating costs; providing a safe and inclusive workplace for our employees globally; and respecting, supporting and investing in the local communities where we operate. For more information, visit www.pepsico.com.

About UrtheCast Corp.

UrtheCast Corp. is a Vancouver-based technology company that is developing the world's first Ultra HD video feed of Earth, streamed from space in full color. Working with renowned aerospace partners from across the globe, UrtheCast has built, launched, installed, and will soon operate two cameras on the ISS. Video and still image data captured by the cameras will be downlinked to ground stations across the planet and displayed on the UrtheCast web platform, or distributed directly to partners and customers. UrtheCast's cameras will provide Ultra HD video and still imagery of Earth that will allow for monitoring of the environment, humanitarian relief, social events, agricultural land, etc. Common shares of UrtheCast trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange as ticker 'UR'.

UrtheCast Forward-Looking Information

This release contains certain information about UrtheCast which constitutes "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking information involves statements that an action or event "will" occur (or similar language) and includes statements about plans to operate cameras on the ISS, proposed imagery products and expected partners. These statements are subject to various risks, many of which are beyond the ability of UrtheCast to control or predict, and which may cause UrtheCast's actual results to be materially different, including, but not limited to, the cameras failing to operate as expected, or at all, as well as those factors discussed in the UrtheCast's short form prospectus dated April 7, 2014 and prospectus supplement dated April 10, 2015 (together, the "Prospectus") which are available under UrtheCast's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com. Forward-looking information is developed based on assumptions about such risks, uncertainties and other factors set out herein, in the Prospectus, and as disclosed from time to time on UrtheCast's SEDAR profile. UrtheCast undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements except as required by Canadian securities laws. Readers are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements.

Related Links

http://www.pepsico.com

SOURCE PepsiCo