This may be the best reason yet to give up caffeine, folks!

Following the second successful ANSARI X PRIZE space flight by the American Mojave Aerospace Ventures Team, 7 UP, the official beverage of the ANSARI X PRIZE Competition announced plans to offer consumers the first free ticket into space. In a ceremony following the successful spaceflight of SpaceShipOne, 7 UP and the X PRIZE Foundation declared the dawn of space travel for the everyday citizen.

"At 7 UP, we want to make space travel a reality for everyone, not just for millionaires," said Randy Gier, EVP/CMO, Cadbury Schweppes Americas Beverages. "7 UP applauds the success of the X PRIZE and the notion that the only way to go is UP when it comes to the future of space travel. We are very proud and excited to be the very first to help bring free space travel into the reach of everyone."

"The best way to predict the future is to create it yourself," said Dr. Peter H. Diamandis, chairman and founder of the X PRIZE Foundation. "My mission and that of the X PRIZE Foundation has been to create a future in which all of us can travel into space. Our goal is to create the personal spaceflight revolution in partnership with innovative companies like 7 UP. Together we are making space travel accessible to the average citizen."

"7 UP was introduced over 75 years ago in the dawn of aviation when Charles Lindbergh and the spirit of St. Louis changed aviation history," said Steven Jarmon, VP of Marketing Resources, Cadbury Schweppes Americas Beverages. "7 UP has a long history of firsts starting with the first lemon lime soft drink which began the uncola revolution. We are so thrilled to be offering another first with the first free ticket into space."

The 7 UP and X PRIZE relationship was designed and packaged by EMCI, New York, NY, who exclusively represents X PRIZE for corporate sponsorship. "This is a very unique way to capture the public's imagination and help 7UP offer consumers an absolutely extraordinary experience," said Jay Coleman, president of EMCI.

Details of 7 UP's first free ticket into space will be unveiled in 2005. For more information on 7 UP and its family of beverages, log onto the 7 UP web site using the link below.

FMI: www.7up.com, www.xprize.org, www.cadburyschweppes.com