CARSON KRESSLEY TO HOST INAUGURAL AMERICAN HUMANE ASSOCIATION HERO DOG AWARDS(R) PREMIERING ON HALLMARK CHANNEL NOVEMBER 11, 2011

Studio City, California - September 20, 2011 - Hallmark Channel, Cesar(R) Canine Cuisine, and American Humane Association announced today that popular television star and current "Dancing with the Stars" contestant, Emmy(R) Award-winning Carson Kressley ("Carson Nation", "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy") will take to the stage as host of the inaugural American Humane Association Hero Dog Awards, presented by CESAR(R) Canine Cuisine and produced by Emmy(R) Award-winning MRB Productions. Following a red carpet, star-studded gala at the Beverly Hills Hilton on October 1, the "Hero Dog Awards" will premiere as a 90-minute special broadcast on Hallmark Channel November 11, 2011 at 8:00 pm ET/PT.

"As a dog owner and lover, I am delighted to be a part of this unique program with American Humane Association," says Kressley. "It's a wonderful way to recognize how Hero Dogs are a part of our lives every day."

Kressley joins a roster of celebrity judges and presenters for the Hero Dog Awards, including among many others Betty White, Victoria Stilwell, Whoopi Goldberg, Hayden Panettierre, Joe Magnaniello, Michael Vartan, Pauley Perrette, Jason Lewis, Jamie-Lynn Sigler, and Faith Ford, in addition to a special musical act.

Following nationwide voting in which more than 400,000 ballots were cast by the American public, eight remarkable finalists were chosen, one winner in each of eight categories: Law Enforcement and Arson Dogs; Service Dogs; Therapy Dogs; Military Dogs; Guide Dogs; Search and Rescue Dogs; Hearing Dogs, and Emerging Hero Dogs (ordinary dogs who do extraordinary things). These eight finalists will be flown to Beverly Hills with their human handlers, where they will walk the red carpet and be presented with a special Hero Dog award, following moving video tributes that bring their stories to life. The evening will be capped off when one of the eight finalists will be announced as the winning American Hero Dog of the year.

Voting is currently underway at www.herodogawards.org, where a full list of the eight category winners, along with a summary of each dog's poignant story, can be found.

About Hallmark Channel

Hallmark Channel, owned and operated by Crown Media Holdings, Inc., is a 24-hour basic cable network that provides a diverse slate of high-quality entertainment programming available in high definition (HD) and standard definition (SD) to a national audience of 87.5 million subscribers. The top tier program service is distributed through more than 5,450 cable systems and communities as well as direct-to-home satellite services across the country. Hallmark Channel is the nation's leading network in quality family programming with an ambitious slate of original TV movies, lifestyle and general entertainment content, and is the home of "The Martha Stewart Show", which anchors the channel's new daytime HOME block. Hallmark Channel's sibling network is Hallmark Movie Channel, also available in HD and SD, which focuses on the family-friendly movies with a mix of classic theatrical films, presentations from the acclaimed Hallmark Hall of Fame library, original Hallmark Channel movies and special events.

About CESAR(R) Canine Cuisine

CESAR(R) Canine Cuisine is an exceptional line of high-quality cuisine and treats for small- to medium-sized dogs. We offer individually prepared entrees available in two textures, original pate and gourmet filets in sauce. From the filet mignon flavor to CESAR SUNRISE breakfast entrees, CESAR(R) CANINE CUISINE features a variety of irresistible flavors and caters to the taste of small- to medium-sized dogs. Visit www.cesar.com to learn more.

About MRB Productions

MRB is an Emmy winning production company specializing in producing content across all media platforms. MRB's recent projects include the acclaimed web series The Confession, staring Kiefer Sutherland, which acquired paramount success, leading to a feature deal with Image Entertainment. MRB's feature department is currently in post-production on a Stephen Gyllenhaal film Grassroots, slated to premiere later this year. On the television side, MRB produces the pre-taped segments, coordinates talent logistics and the VIP program for the past decade for ESPN's ESPY Awards. Most recently, MRB garnered two Emmy nominations for the 2010 NBA Draft Opening Sequence. Additional TV projects include two seasons of the mockumentary comedy show Free Radio on VH1 and Comedy Central. MRB's commercial repertoire includes collaborations with Leo Burnett, Periera O'Dell, Team Detroit, Goodby, Silverstein and Partners for clients such as Geico, Kellogg's, Ford, Sprint, Mattel, Corona, Miller Lite, Smirnoff, Sony, NBC, Wal-Mart, Hyundai and University of Phoenix.

About American Humane Association

Since 1877 American Humane Association has been at the forefront of virtually every major advance in protecting children, pets and farm animals from cruelty, abuse and neglect. Today we're also leading the way in understanding the human-animal bond and its role in therapy, medicine and society. American Humane Association reaches millions of people every day through groundbreaking research, education, training and services that span a wide network of organizations, agencies and businesses. You can help make a difference, too. Visit American Humane Association at www.americanhumane.org today.