As NBC's Today show honors its 60th anniversary this week, Dunkin' Donuts is helping people across America join the celebration in a sweet way.
Dunkin' Donuts and Today, one of America's top morning news program, have come together to introduce a special "Today Donut."
Available at participating Dunkin' Donuts restaurants throughout the U.S. Today through January 15, the "Today Donut" features Dunkin' Donuts' famous yeast ring donut, topped with vanilla icing and Today-colored sprinkles in a red, orange, and yellow mix.
To help Today kick off its celebration, Stan Frankenthaler, Dunkin' Brands' Executive Chef and Vice President of Product Innovation, prepared a special cake befitting of the anniversary of one of America's most famous television programs.
Stan presented the three-foot tall cake, created using only "Today Donuts" and Dunkin' Donuts' Munchkins donut hole treats, to Today anchors, crew and viewers live on-air during this morning's Today broadcast.
Fans can visit Dunkin' Donuts' blog, "Behind the Beans," for instructions on how to make their own mini Today Donut cake at home.
Additionally, Americans have a chance to win a $60 Dunkin' Donuts Card by guessing how many "Today Donuts" and Munchkins donut hole treats were featured in the special Today cake presented on-air. Tweet your guess to @dunkindonuts on Twitter, using hashtag #DDonutCake. Those who guess correctly will be entered into a random drawing to win a $60 Dunkin' Donuts Card.
"Dunkin' Donuts and Today share a unique place in Americans' daily lives. For more than 60 years, our coffee and baked goods and their news and entertainment have both been an important ritual for Americans starting their morning and getting themselves running throughout the day," says John Costello, Chief Global Marketing and Innovation Officer at Dunkin' Brands.
"We congratulate Today for their 60 years, and we believe fans will enjoy the chance to join the celebration in a fun way by enjoying our special Today Donut."
Today has been America's number one morning news program for 16 straight years. When Today premiered in 1952, the broadcast forever changed the morning news landscape, and it has been part of Americans' lives ever since.
On Friday, January 13, 2012, the broadcast will celebrate its 60th Anniversary.
Today, there are more than 7,000 Dunkin' Donuts restaurants in 36 United States, plus the District of Columbia, and more than 3,000 international restaurants in 31 countries.
In 2011, Today reached an unprecedented milestone spending 16 years as America's top rated morning news program. This is the longest-running current winning streak in all of broadcast television. Matt Lauer, Ann Curry, Al Roker and Natalie Morales are co-anchors of Today.