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CINCINNATI — Procter & Gamble is supporting the recent launch of Tide Pods, the brand's three-chamber unit dose laundry detergent, by tapping singer and actor Jencarlos Canela to show Hispanic consumers how the product is unlike any other laundry product on the market.

Tide said Canela will surprise people at laundromats in Miami and Los Angeles to show them how the laundry process can be consistent since measuring dosage is not necessary, the company said. Consumers will have the opportunity to meet Canela on April 3 at a laundromat in Los Angeles.

SUPPLIER NEWS — Unilever has agreed to acquire Russian beauty company Concern Kalina, which significantly will strengthen its foothold in skin care and hair care in Russia. Unilever initially is acquiring 82% of Concern Kalina for approximately €390 million (U.S. $537 million). The acquisition is subject to regulatory approvals and is expected to be completed by the end of 2011.


ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J. — Unilever’s Gina Boswell, who was recently appointed EVP personal care for North America, has been selected as a 2011 Achiever of the Year, one of the highest awards bestowed in the beauty industry, by nonprofit Cosmetic Executive Women.

This year’s honorees will be feted Oct. 14 at the Waldorf Astoria in New York.

PRINCETON, N.J. — Church & Dwight has added a Sensitive Skin Plus scent detergent to its line of Arm & Hammer sensitive skin laundry detergents. The new detergent, which features a skin-friendly fresh scent that’s hypoallergenic and clinically tested to be good to sensitive skin, is a scented alternative to Arm & Hammer’s Perfume and Dye Free laundry detergent.


GREENWICH, Conn. — Brynwood Partners VI L.P. has announced that High Ridge Brands, its portfolio company and owner of the North American Zest personal cleansing franchise, has signed a purchase agreement with Unilever to acquire the Alberto VO5 brand and marketing rights in the United States and Puerto Rico; as well as the rights to the Rave brand and marketing rights worldwide.

Unilever has retained the rights to the Alberto VO5 brand outside the United States and Puerto Rico.

SAN ANTONIO, Texas — Rockin' Green has revamped its laundry detergent products inside and out.

The company said that its Soft, Classic and Hard Rock formulas will feature a new scent and packaging. The company said it is replacing one of its original scents, called Plain Green Tea's, with a scent called Earth, Wind and Orchids. What's more, the standard packaging for the laundry detergents have been redesigned with a new look and also will use less material.

NEW YORK — Colgate-Palmolive is bolstering its foothold in the European personal care market by acquiring from Unilever the Sanex personal care brand for about $940 million.

Sanex is a multicategory personal care brand with 2010 net sales of about $260 million, primarily in western Europe. Liquid body cleansing and deodorants each represent nearly 50% of the business.

The deal is structured as an all-cash acquisition for shares and net assets. The transaction is expected to close by the end of the second quarter this year.

CINCINNATI — Procter & Gamble is letting Target customers know that great things come in small packages as it launches new Tide and Gain compacted powder laundry detergents.

The compacted Tide and Gain detergents, which offer the same number of loads in a smaller box, could save up to 22 million lbs. of total packaging in the United States and Canada each year, P&G said. The company said that in addition to the Tide and Gain launch at Target, P&G also will introduce compacted formulas for Cheer, Dreft and Ivory Snow.

LONDON and ROTTERDAM, Netherlands Unilever is significantly boosting its hair care portfolio by acquiring Alberto-Culver for $3.7 billion in cash.