Dr. Pepper signs music stars for new ads

NEW YORK, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Reba McEntire, Smokey Robinson and LeAnn Rimes are among the music stars who will be featured in Dr. Pepper's 2004 "Be You" ad campaign.

Continuing the theme of its 2003 campaign, the soft drink maker's ads will find younger artists paying tribute to veteran ones, Billboard reported Tuesday.

B2K, Ana Gabriel and Patricia Manterola also are scheduled to appear in the new 30-second spots.

During the past 12 months, Run-D.M.C., LL Cool J, Anastacia, Cyndi Lauper, Paulina Rubio and Celia Cruz appeared in Dr. Pepper ads.

The Run-D.M.C./LL Cool J commercial began airing last January, less than three months after Jam Master Jay's murder in Queens, N.Y. For several weeks, the end of the spot carried a memorial message in remembrance of the pioneering Run-D.M.C. DJ.