LOCAL CHICKEN CLUCKS ABOUT IOWA LOTTERY'S
NEW “SUPER SAMPLER” PROMOTION

Chicken Serves as “Spokeschick” for Lottery's Limited Offer

DES MOINES, Iowa - You may have to do a double-take when you see the Iowa Lottery's newest commercial on television. The spot features what looks to be a talking chicken holding a news conference about the lottery's “Super Sampler” promotion.

The star, Mattie, is a 3-year-old White Orpington chicken, born and raised in Elkhart, Iowa. The commercial was Mattie's TV debut.

Tai Spratt of Fox Hollow Farms is Mattie's owner. She raises both chickens and emus. She said it didn't take much to prepare Mattie for the role. “We just gave her a bath to whiten up her coat and we shined up her beak and feet with emu oil,” Spratt said.

Spratt joked that Mattie hasn't received any other acting gigs, so she'll retire on their farm. “We don't process any of our chickens,” said Spratt.

The Iowa Lottery's Super Sampler promotion began Sunday and runs through Sept. 27. When players purchase three Powerball with Power Plays and three Hot Lotto Sizzler plays, they will receive the $12 value for only $10.

“We thought the clucking in the commercial would be a fun way to break through the everyday clutter,” said Vice President of Marketing Joe Hrdlicka.

For an extra dollar, players can multiply any non-jackpot Powerball prizes from two to five times with the Power Play or triple any Hot Lotto prize except the jackpot with the Hot Lotto Sizzler option.

“We thought Mattie was a great way to illustrate how, for a limited time, Powerball with Power Play and Hot Lotto Sizzler plays are ‘cheaper by the dozen’,” said Hrdlicka.

Any $6 Powerball with Power Play purchase made with any $6 Hot Lotto Sizzler purchase is eligible for the $2 Super Sampler discount during the promotion period. Plays may be either for a single drawing or for multiple drawings. Players may choose their numbers or ask for an easy pick.

Winning numbers may be checked by calling the winning numbers' hot line at (515) 323-4633. Winning numbers may also be checked by calling the lottery at (515) 725-7900 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday; at the lottery Web site at www.ialottery.com; or with lottery retail outlets.

Since the Iowa Lottery's inception in 1985, more than $2.2 billion has been awarded in prizes and more than $1.1 billion has been raised for state programs.