COLUMBUS, Ohio, Sept. 23 OH-Zicam-Campaign
Building Awareness of the Common Cold, Raising Funds for Endangered Rhinoceros
COLUMBUS, Ohio, Sept. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Jack Hanna, world-renowned wildlife expert, and Matrixx Initiatives, Inc., makers of Zicam(R) Cold Remedy products, today announced the launch of the "Save the Rhino; Not the Rhinovirus" consumer education campaign to help consumers better understand the common cold, while contributing to the preservation of one of the most endangered species on Earth; the rhinoceros.
With Hanna's support, the campaign will feature media tours, an online consumer portal for obtaining more program information, and a national sweepstakes with an African safari in Kenya's Lewa Wildlife Conservancy as the grand prize. A portion of sales, a minimum of $30,000, will be donated to Lewa Wildlife Conservancy (www.lewa.org) and the Wilds (www.thewilds.org) rhinoceros conservation program at the end of the cold season.
"I'm a long-time user of Zicam Cold Remedy and an avid rhinoceros conservationist, so when they called me about this campaign, I knew it was the right partnership," said Jack Hanna, Director Emeritus, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. "Since 1970, the world rhinoceros population has declined by 90 percent and there are only five species of rhinoceros left in the world. This campaign is an innovative example of how responsible brands can help consumers, while working to preserve endangered wildlife such as the rhinoceros."
The "Save the Rhino; Not the Rhinovirus" campaign evolved from research showing many people are unaware that over 100 different types of rhinoviruses are among the leading cause of the common cold. Also, the rhinoceros, with its large horn and strong presence, is a visual reminder of how tough the common cold can be.
"Zicam Cold Remedy is a unique product that is clinically proven to lessen the severity of symptoms and reduce the duration of the common cold when used within 48 hours of symptom onset," said Tim Connors, Vice President, Marketing, Matrixx Initiatives, Inc. "We wanted a completely different type of program to help educate consumers about the common cold and to serve a higher purpose in preserving the rhinoceros, one of nature's most endangered and magnificent species. We are thrilled to work with an icon like Jack to help make our vision a reality."
Hanna hopes that through this campaign, people will learn about taking care of themselves while taking care of wildlife.
"My career and my passion have always been about wildlife conservation," said Hanna. "I have a special place in my heart for the rhinoceros. In the wild, the adult black or white rhino has no true natural predators and, despite its size and antagonistic reputation, it is extremely easy to poach. I hope that the Zicam program gets more people involved in learning about wildlife preservation."
For more information about the "Save the Rhino; Not the Rhinovirus" campaign, please visit www.zicam.com.
About the Common Cold & Zicam Cold Remedy
According to the National Institutes of Health, people suffer from an estimated one billion colds in the United States each year, causing 300 million days of restricted activity and 22 million lost days of school and work. Adults average about two to four colds a year, although the range varies widely. More than 200 different viruses, including about 110 rhinoviruses, are known to cause the symptoms of the common cold. The nose is the main portal of entry for cold viruses. The highest concentration of cold virus in nasal secretion occurs during the first three days of infection. This is when infected persons are most contagious.
The safety and efficacy of Zicam Cold Remedy is substantiated by two peer-reviewed, published clinical studies(1,2). The combined data show that zinc gluconate nasal gel--the active ingredient in Zicam Cold Remedy intranasal gel--is effective in reducing the severity of symptoms and duration of the common cold when treatment begins within the first 24 to 48 hours of symptom onset. In addition, another article(3) published in the Journal of the American Pharmacists Association summarized all of the existing research of zinc cold remedies and underscored the value of zinc in treating the common cold.
About 'Jungle Jack' Hanna
Jack Hanna is the Director Emeritus for the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and television host for Jack Hanna's Into the Wild and Jack Hanna's Animal Adventures. Hanna regularly appears on programs, such as Good Morning America, The Late Show with David Letterman and The Ellen DeGeneres Show, to help promote wildlife conservation. The second season of Into The Wild will begin airing in September 2008, along with the release of Jack's new autobiography and a children's adventure book: Jack Hanna's My Wild Life and Passport Into The Wild. To learn more about Jack and his wild adventures, please visit his website, www.jackhanna.com.
About Matrixx Initiatives, Inc.
Matrixx Initiatives, Inc. is engaged in the development, manufacturing and marketing of over-the-counter healthcare products that utilize innovative drug delivery systems. Zicam, LLC, its wholly-owned subsidiary, produces, markets and sells Zicam(R) products in the cough and cold category. The Company's flagship product, Zicam Cold Remedy nasal gel, is a patented, homeopathic remedy that has been clinically proven to reduce the duration and severity of the common cold. In studies published in the October 2000 issue of ENT -- Ear, Nose and Throat Journal, and separately in the January 2003 issue of QJM: An International Journal of Medicine, the Zicam Cold Remedy product was shown to reduce the duration of the common cold. The Company also manufactures and markets a full line of Zicam brand pharmaceuticals, including Zicam Cold Remedy in five oral delivery forms (including the new Zicam RapidMelts(TM) + Vitamin C and Zicam ChewCaps(TM)); three Zicam allergy and congestion relief products, four Zicam Cough Spray items and the new Zicam Cough Melts, four Zicam Cold & Flu Relief products, and two Nasal Comfort products. For more information regarding Matrixx products, go to www.zicam.com.
1 Hirt M, Nobel S, Barron E. Zinc nasal gel for the treatment of common cold symptoms: A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Ear Nose Throat J. 2000;79:778-780, 782.
2 Mossad SB. Effect of zincum gluconicum nasal gel on the duration and symptom severity of the common cold in otherwise healthy adults. QJM. 2003;96:35-43.
3 Hulisz D. Efficacy of Zinc Against Common Cold Viruses: An Overview. Journal of the American Pharmacists Association. September/October 2004;44:594-603.
SOURCE Matrixx Initiatives, Inc.
