Content about Entertainment

December 4, 2012

Study: Use of Purell hand sanitizer reduced diarrhea and respiratory illness incidence among children

Among children who took part in a recent study on the use of hand sanitizer in an environment with limited access to clean water, diarrhea cases were reduced by 30% and respiratory illnesses by more than 11%, GOJO Industries noted in a release issued Tuesday.

AKRON, Ohio — Among children who took part in a recent study on the use of hand sanitizer in an environment with limited access to clean water, diarrhea cases were reduced by 30% and respiratory illnesses by more than 11%, GOJO Industries noted in a release issued Tuesday.

The University of Columbia study was reported in the June 2012 issue of Pan American Journal of Public Health. As part of the study, researchers monitored children's use of alcohol hand sanitizer in conjunction with education to help to reduce life-threatening infections.

December 3, 2012

Merck starts Alzheimer's drug trial

Merck has started a clinical trial that it hopes will eventually enroll 1,700 patients to evaluate an experimental drug for Alzheimer's disease, the company said.

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. — Merck has started a clinical trial that it hopes will eventually enroll 1,700 patients to evaluate an experimental drug for Alzheimer's disease, the company said.

Merck announced the start of "EPOCH," a combined phase-2 and phase-3 study of the drug MK-8931, a 78-week trial in which patients will take either the drug in the 12-mg, 40-mg or 60-mg doses or placebo.

November 30, 2012

OraSure prepares nationwide TV promotion campaign for in-home HIV test

HIV test maker OraSure Technologies has appointed a new executive to head its consumer marketing division as it prepares to launch a nationwide TV campaign on Saturday.

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — HIV test maker OraSure Technologies has appointed a new executive to head its consumer marketing division as it prepares to launch a nationwide TV campaign on Saturday.

The TV campaign will be timed to coincide with World AIDS Day on Saturday and will air on MTV, A&E, BET, E!, Bravo and Logo, as well as on the NBC reality show "The Voice" on Dec. 17.

November 29, 2012

Energy drinks unaffected by controversy

Mounting pressure to regulate energy drinks could hamper growth in a category that has been on an upward trajectory for years. But sales of energy drinks have so far been immune to controversy.

Mounting pressure to regulate energy drinks could hamper growth in a category that has been on an upward trajectory for years. But sales of energy drinks have so far been immune to controversy. Mintel forecasts that sales of the products could double from 2011 to 2016. In 2012, Mintel estimates dollar sales for the category will total $9.4 billion, an increase of nearly 11% over 2011 sales. New line extensions, like Red Bull’s Editions, will continue to drive the category.

November 29, 2012

Partnering with suppliers to create a rich, innovative experience for customers

The success of Rite Aid’s Wellness store is in the experience. It’s welcoming. It’s engaging. And across various touchpoints throughout the store, it helps guide Rite Aid customers toward however it is they define “well.” That’s as much a function of design of the stores as it is the people and the products in those stores. 

November 29, 2012

Prankster packaging

Novelty gift company 30 Watt introduced its latest prank gift for the outlet-challenged. Billed as a “solution” for hard-to-reach electrical devices, Connect-A-Cord is actually 50 1-ft. sections of extension cord. 

MINNEAPOLIS — Novelty gift company 30 Watt introduced its latest prank gift for the outlet-challenged. Billed as a “solution” for hard-to-reach electrical devices, Connect-A-Cord is actually 50 1-ft. sections of extension cord. 

The gag gift’s packaging boasts that it “comes with an optional contractor case for tangle-free storage,” but when the recipient opens up the Prank Pack, they will discover the bright yellow flaps inside reading “Prank You!”  

November 29, 2012

Study forecasts steady generics growth through 2023

The global market for generic drugs will reach more than $125 billion next year, according to a new report by a British market-research firm.

LONDON — The global market for generic drugs will reach more than $125 billion next year, according to a new report by a British market-research firm.

November 29, 2012

Survey: Retail clinic visits on the rise among U.S. adults

The number of adults who are familiar with retail clinics and have used them has increased in recent years, according to a recent study by Kalorama Information, a publisher of healthcare market research.

NEW YORK — The number of adults who are familiar with retail clinics and have used them has increased in recent years, according to a recent study by Kalorama Information, a publisher of healthcare market research.

November 28, 2012

Coty, Katy Perry ink fragrance partnership

Coty has signed singer, songwriter and entertainer Katy Perry to develop and market her own line of signature fragrances. As part of the project, Coty will also distribute the artist's successful existing fragrance portfolio, comprised of Purr and Meow!, effective immediately.

NEW YORK — Coty has signed singer, songwriter and entertainer Katy Perry to develop and market her own line of signature fragrances. As part of the project, Coty will also distribute the artist's successful existing fragrance portfolio, comprised of Purr and Meow!, effective immediately.

Perry joins Coty's list of brands that include Calvin Klein, Chloe, Marc Jacobs and Playboy, among many others.

November 28, 2012

Revlon to celebrate 80 years with London exhibition

Revlon is inviting beauty enthusiasts and fashion fanatics to experience a one-of-a-kind exhibition that will guide them through iconic moments in Revlon's history that have contributed to shaping the brand as we see it today.

LONDON — Revlon is inviting beauty enthusiasts and fashion fanatics to experience a one-of-a-kind exhibition that will guide them through iconic moments in Revlon's history that have contributed to shaping the brand as we see it today.

November 26, 2012

Duracell powers smiles this holiday season

Duracell, partnering with Toys for Tots, is looking to "power" jubilant faces this holiday season. The company announced an exclusive sweepstakes on their Facebook page allowing consumers to win some of the holiday's hottest toys while helping those in need.

BETHEL, CT. — Duracell, partnering with Toys for Tots, is looking to "power" jubilant faces this holiday season. The company announced an exclusive sweepstakes on their Facebook page allowing consumers to win some of the holiday's hottest toys while helping those in need.

November 26, 2012

Fiscal cliff could hit retailers hard, White House report predicts

Consumer spending could drop by almost $200 billion next year while depressing real consumer-spending growth by 1.7% if middle-class taxes rise in response to the fiscal cliff, according to a report released Monday by a White House economic team.

WASHINGTON — Consumer spending could drop by almost $200 billion next year while depressing real consumer-spending growth by 1.7% if middle-class taxes rise in response to the fiscal cliff, according to a report released Monday by a White House economic team.

November 26, 2012

Mars wins NASCAR Marketing Achievement Award

The long-standing partnership with NASCAR sees an impressive 4-to-1 return on investment.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fl. — NASCAR will honor Mars this year with the annual Marketing Achievement Award at the NASCAR NMPA Myers Brothers Awards, at Encore at Wynn Las Vegas on Thursday, Nov. 29. Mars and NASCAR represent one of the longest-standing partnerships within the sport with their 23-year relationship.

Spanning multiple activations, Mars has directly engaged race fans, customers and associates through an integrated marketing strategy, including intellectual property, promotions, public relations, B2B, online, broadcast, event marketing and retail.

November 26, 2012

Quill.com expands 'Dunder Mifflin' product line

Quill.com is capitalizing on the success of its Dunder Mifflin paper line with seven new products.

LINCOLNSHIRE, Il. — In late 2011, Quill.com began offering Dunder Mifflin paper as part of an innovative licensing agreement with NBCUniversal. The program was a huge success, and now Quill is looking to expand "The Office" product line to feature several more items.

November 21, 2012

Most adults plan to buy gifts on Black Friday weekend, but fiscal cliff casts shadow

More than half of U.S. adults plan to buy holiday gifts during Thanksgiving weekend, according to a new survey from the Consumer Electronics Association.

ARLINGTON, Va. — More than half of U.S. adults plan to buy holiday gifts during Thanksgiving weekend, according to a new survey from the Consumer Electronics Association.

The survey found that 60% will buy gifts during Black Friday weekend, with the average adult planning to spend $218 between Thursday and Monday, compared with $159 last year. At the same time, the "fiscal cliff" may affect their holiday spending. Overall, consumers plan to spend $842 on gifts this year.

November 20, 2012

Emphasizing lower sales prices may hint at lower quality for some consumers, study finds

While sale prices may attract many consumers to products, for others, they may denote lower quality, a new study suggests.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — While sale prices may attract many consumers to products, for others, they may denote lower quality, a new study suggests.

The study, conducted by Vanderbilt University marketing professor Steve Posavac and others, and set for publication in the Journal of Consumer Research, found that consumers use a series of theories when considering the relationship between value and price.

November 16, 2012

GNC product partner and AquaHydrate board member Mark Wahlberg heralds new sports drink distribution

In the wake of a summer rebranding campaign aimed at active, health-conscious consumers, AquaHydrate on Thursday announced expansion of its distribution through GNC.

LOS ANGELES — In the wake of a summer rebranding campaign aimed at active, health-conscious consumers, AquaHydrate on Thursday announced expansion of its distribution through GNC.

The AquaHydrate line offers consumers "Supercharged Hydration," a combination of key electrolytes and alkalinity that helps restore balance to the body. While many sports and vitamin drinks hover around a 4 pH (relatively acidic) and most bottled water between 7 and 7.5 (pH neutral), AquaHydrate stands at a pH value of more than 9 (relatively alkaline).

November 15, 2012

Consumers bite into classic, new cookies

After several lackluster years, cookie sales were up in 2011 and are likely to show slight gains this year.

After several lackluster years, cookie sales were up in 2011 and are likely to show slight gains this year. The category was buoyed largely by sales of basic cookies, according to a recent report from Mintel, while premium cookie sales were hurt by a tight economy and increased media attention on America’s obesity epidemic. Mintel forecasts more growth for the premium segment from 2013 to 2016. 

November 15, 2012

Intimacy positioned more as health care

RH Labs just launched a line of intimacy health products endorsed by Laura Berman, a well-known sex and relationship expert who hosts the show “In The Bedroom” on the Oprah Winfrey Network. Berman collaborated on the design of every product in her line, the company noted. 

It’s the kind of endorsement that will heighten the importance of intimacy health as part of an overall healthcare regimen.  

Sales of intimacy enhancement devices were up 24.3% to $4.1 million over the 12 weeks ended Sept. 9, according to SymphonyIRI group data.

November 14, 2012

Simple skin care, AOL reveal next generation of 'Makers'

Unilever’s Simple facial skin care brand has teamed up with AOL to announce the winners of a nationwide search for extraordinary women driving positive change in their communities.

NEW YORK — Unilever’s Simple facial skin care brand has teamed up with AOL to announce the winners of a nationwide search for extraordinary women driving positive change in their communities. The search is an extension of Makers, a multiplatform video experience that honors trailblazing women, including Sandra Day O’Connor, Hillary Clinton and Diane Von Furstenberg.

November 13, 2012

NCPA survey: Most independents provide compounding services

As many as 85.5% of independent community pharmacies offer patients traditional compounding services, and while it accounts for a small portion of their business, the health-enhancing effect for patients can be dramatic, according to a new survey released Tuesday by the National Community Pharmacists Association.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — As many as 85.5% of independent community pharmacies offer patients traditional compounding services, and while it accounts for a small portion of their business, the health-enhancing effect for patients can be dramatic, according to a new survey released Tuesday by the National Community Pharmacists Association.

November 12, 2012

Obama win solidifies health reform’s future

It looks like health reform is for keeps.

November 12, 2012

Sandy expected to dent RAD's November comps, but not FY '13 earnings

All the Rite Aid stores affected by Hurricane Sandy have reopened except one, the company said Monday.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — All the Rite Aid stores affected by Hurricane Sandy have reopened except one, the company said Monday.

The store that hasn't opened, in Lavallette, N.J., is on a barrier island and is closed due to restricted access to the island. In addition, three stores in New York and one in New Jersey have established temporary pharmacies while their front ends are under repair. The company closed 790 stores at the height of the storm.

November 9, 2012

Safeway expands support of military veterans

Safeway on Friday announced it will expand its support of America's military veterans by hiring at least 1,000 military veterans in 2013 to add to the 1,300 hired to-date in 2012.

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Safeway on Friday announced it will expand its support of America's military veterans by hiring at least 1,000 military veterans in 2013 to add to the 1,300 hired to-date in 2012. In addition, the company is raising money this Veterans Day weekend for organizations that help veterans recover from service-related injuries and/or return to the civilian workforce.

November 8, 2012

FDA accepts Merck application for insomnia drug

The Food and Drug Administration has accepted an application from Merck for an experimental drug for insomnia, the drug maker said Thursday.

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration has accepted an application from Merck for an experimental drug for insomnia, the drug maker said Thursday.

Merck announced the the FDA's acceptance of its regulatory filing for suvorexant, which the FDA's Controlled Substances Staff will review while the agency is reviewing the application.