(EMAILWIRE.COM, August 16, 2001 ) With the start of regular-season football just weeks away, the H.J. Heinz Company (NYSE: HNZ) and the Pittsburgh Steelers on August 15 unveiled the new Heinz Field logo. The logo, which has applications for both the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Pittsburgh Panthers, incorporates elements of the trademark Heinz keystone with a distinctive look for each team. "Heinz Field promises to create an extraordinary level of excitement when it opens later this month and the new logo gives fans around the world an instantly recognized visual that celebrates the Heinz name and Heinz products," said Heinz Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer William R. Johnson. The three related logos represent enduring Pittsburgh icons that are popular around the world: the Steelers, four-time Super Bowl champions; the Panthers, nine-time national college football champions; and Heinz, one of the world's premier and favorite food companies and a Pittsburgh tradition since 1869. Added Johnson, "Heinz Field incorporates all the elements of fun, family and football. The Heinz Field logo creates a powerful presence and visibility for the great new stadium during national and regional broadcasts." In June, Heinz and the Steelers announced an exclusive 20-year partnership to name the new 65,000-seat home of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Pittsburgh Panthers. Heinz is investing an average of $2.85 million a year for 20 years for the naming rights; stadium signage; and a variety of marketing, advertising and merchandising opportunities granted by the Steelers. Said Steelers Vice President Arthur Rooney II, "The new logo accentuates Heinz Field, the newest jewel in Pittsburgh's continuing renaissance, and the Steelers' winning tradition. With the unveiling of the logo, the finest football showcase in the nation now also has a strong identity and individuality." "The Heinz Field logo contains the bold look and feel of the Heinz keystone while possessing the ability to be personalized for a variety of uses," said Jeff Flick, principal at BD&E, a Pittsburgh-based strategic branding, design and communications firm who created the logo. "This modular concept integrates the Steelers, Panthers and Heinz and highlights the partnership between two of football's most respected teams and one of the world's leading brands." The naming of Heinz Field and the new logo are part of Heinz's increased focus on sports marketing to drive brand growth. Basketball great Larry Bird is a spokesman for the fast-growing Boston Market® Frozen Meals and skateboarder Tony Hawk is promoting the popular Bagel Bites® and Hot Bites®. In July, world champion figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi was named spokesperson for Smart Ones® entrees. Construction of Heinz Field, a horseshoe-shaped stadium, began in June 1999. It features a natural grass playing field and a south end that is open, enabling fans to enjoy a stunning view of downtown Pittsburgh and the riverfront where two rivers come together to form the Ohio. In addition to being the new home of the Pittsburgh Steelers and the University of Pittsburgh football team, Heinz Field will also host concerts and other events, including WPIAL high school football championship games. The architect of Heinz Field is HOK Sports Facilities Group, which is based in Kansas City, Missouri. About Heinz With sales approaching $10 billion, H. J. Heinz Company is one of the world's premier food companies. Its 50 companies operate in some 200 countries, with more than 20 power brands with more than $100 million in annual sales, including the Heinz( brand with nearly US$3 billion in annual sales. Among the company's famous brands are Heinz®, StarKist®, Ore-Ida®, 9-Lives®, Wattie's®, Plasmon®, Farley's®, Smart Ones®, Bagel Bites®, John West®, Petit Navire®, Kibbles 'n Bits®, Pounce®, Pup-Peroni®, Orlando®, ABC®, Olivine®, Jufran® and Pudliszki®. Heinz also uses the famous brands Weight Watchers®, Boston Market® and Linda McCartney® under license. Information on Heinz is available at http://www.heinz.com. ------------------------ Produced for The H.J. Heinz CompanyCONTACT: HEINZ/CONTACT: MEDIA: Ted Smyth, SVP-Corp. & Govt. Affairs, 412-456-5780; Debbie Foster, Director-Corp. Comm., 412-456-5778; or Jack Kennedy, GM-Strategic Comm., 412-456-5923. PITTSBURGH STEELERS/CONTACT: MEDIA: Ron Wahl, Communications Coordinator, 412-432-7821. BD&E/CONTACT: MEDIA: Jeff Flick, Principal, 412-261-5220------------------------

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