Reporters Notebook
Supplier News
Garden House Labs is making a big push against the Hispanic community with its natural laxative Prunelax, the company announced.
Based on the laxative properties of prunes and senna, Prunelax has become one of the top-selling brands in 17 countries, primarily in South America where the product is branded Ciruelax. Part of that success is borne out of differentiating between each of the Spanish segments, not only in terms of country of origin, but also in terms of generation. For example, first-generation Hispanic-Americans can be best reached through such networks as Univision and Telemundo, but their children and grandchildren are best reached through more mainstream media.
The product currently is sold through more than 30,000 doors in the United States, the company stated, and has achieved significant success. In Miami, for example, Prunelax’s average weekly sales at major mass retailers reached 6.5 units per store, the company noted. And recent studies among Hispanics in cities with high Hispanic concentrations, such as New York, Los Angeles and cities in Florida, found that Prunelax maintained higher levels of brand awareness among Hispanics as compared with many of the mainstream brands, including Metamucil, Benefiber, Fibercon, Ex-Lax or Dulcolax.
Nutramax Labs last month announced the launch of its Start Cosamin program, which enables consumers to try Cosamin ASU Joint Health Supplement for free.
“We want to provide a fast and easy way for consumers to try Cosamin ASU,” stated Troy Henderson, VP corporate operations and professional services at Nutramax Labs. “With a free 60-capsule bottle, a $10 coupon off their first purchase and only a $9.95 shipping charge, there is no reason to wait.”
Cosamin ASU is a dual synergistic formula; its specific combination of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate has demonstrated synergy in stimulating cartilage production, while ASU (avocado/soybean unsaponifiables) also acts synergistically with glucosamine. In laboratory cell culture studies of inflammatory markers associated with joint discomfort and cartilage breakdown, it was found that the combination of ASU plus glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate was better than the combination of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate in reducing inflammatory markers.
Lil’ Drug Store Products last month announced the launch of CryoStat, a hemorrhoid treatment that uses cold therapy to reduce swelling.
“Cold therapy helps provide analgesia by reducing blood flow and reducing cellular metabolism, as well as by decreasing sensory nerve conductivity and sensitivity,” stated Bartley Pickron, colon and rectal surgeon at Methodist Hospital and the Woman’s Hospital of Texas, and Lil’ Drug Store Products spokesman. “Cold therapy also reduces tissue swelling and edema by producing local vasoconstriction.”
The cold therapy pack is surrounded by a soft cloth that is disposable and convenient without the use of gels or creams.
Executive News
Prestige Brands last month named Tim Connors—who most recently served as VP marketing at Matrixx Initiatives—to the position of chief marketing officer.
“We are excited to have [Connors] leading our marketing organization at Prestige,” stated Matthew Mannelly, Prestige president and CEO. “He brings a terrific combination of consumer and customer focus to our team. His marketing expertise, strategic thinking and entrepreneurial spirit will serve our iconic brands well as we continue to build our brands in the marketplace.”
Prestige markets and distributes brand-name OTC healthcare, personal care and household products throughout the United States, Canada and certain international markets. Key brands include Compound W wart treatments, Chloraseptic sore throat and allergy treatments, New Skin liquid bandage, Clear Eyes and Murine eye and ear care products, Little Remedies pediatric OTC healthcare products, The Doctor’s Night-Guard dental protector, Cutex nail polish remover, and both Comet and Spic and Span household cleaners.