SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):
July 8, 1997
Darden Restaurants, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Florida 1-13666 59-3305930
(State or other jurisdiction (Commission (IRS employer
of incorporation) file number) identification No.)
5900 Lake Ellenor Drive, Orlando, Florida 32809
(Address of principal executive offices)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code:
(407) 245-4000
Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
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Item 5. Other Events.
On July 8, 1997, the Registrant issued a news release entitled "Red
Lobster Taps Tatham As New Ad Agency," announcing that Red Lobster's
national advertising and media account has been awarded to Euro RSCG
Tatham of Chicago, Illinois.
Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(c) Exhibits.
Exhibit No. Description
99 Press release dated July 8, 1997,
entitled "Red Lobster Taps Tatham As New
Ad Agency."
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
Dated: July 15, 1997 DARDEN RESTAURANTS, INC.
By: /s/ C. L. Whitehill
C.L. Whitehill
Senior Vice President,
General Counsel and Secretary
<PAGE>
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Exhibit Number 99 Page
Press release dated July 8, 1997, entitled "Red Lobster
Taps Tatham As New Ad Agency." 4
EXHIBIT 99
Press Release dated July 8, 1997 of Darden Restaurants, Inc.
RED LOBSTER TAPS TATHAM AS NEW AD AGENCY
ORLANDO, FL - Red Lobster announced it has awarded its national account to Euro
RSCG Tatham in Chicago following an extensive review of its advertising and
media planning.
The review process Red Lobster employed included several meetings with the
agencies where strategic thinking and creative ideas were the focus. After
narrowing to three agencies, the Tatham team was awarded the Red Lobster
account.
"We are very excited about the possibilities with Tatham," said Wyman Roberts,
Red Lobster Executive Vice President of Marketing. "Their creative insights took
our very strong brand and positioned it for even more potential growth in the
future. They are a very creative, talented team who work well together and will
work well with us. We think it's a great fit."
Red Lobster has been conducting a thorough review of many of its key strategic
initiatives designed to strengthen the company and enhance long-term
performance, including the introduction of a new high flavor profile menu,
optimization of its real estate portfolio, and investments in additional
training for restaurant employees. The ad agency review was part of an ongoing
initiative to move Red Lobster forward in an extremely competitive restaurant
environment.
"We now get to work with two outstanding agencies," said Joe Lee Chairman & CEO
of Darden Restaurants. "An outstanding Tatham team working with Red Lobster and
an equally outstanding Grey team working with The Olive Garden."
"We were able to win this based on the strength of our people and the power of
our advertising idea," said Mary Baglivo, President of Euro RSCG Tatham. "This
is a great statement about the integrity of the Red Lobster group. It is a great
victory for all of the people at Tatham who have given so much this year to
build this agency."
Euro RSCG Tatham is a 50-year old Chicago based agency representing notable
brands such as Procter and Gamble, Ralston Purina, and Sara Lee's Hillshire
Farms.
Red Lobster operates 703 Red Lobster restaurants in 49 states and Canada, and is
part of Darden Restaurants, Inc., headquartered in Orlando, Florida.
