UN Unilever NV

A New Survey of 4,000 Consumers Reveals That Over Two-Thirds Have Unrealistic Size Expectations That Hinder Weight Loss Success ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J., June 25 /PRNewswire/ -- First, Spain's Fashion Week banned models' sized zero to two from walking the runway during the shows. Next, the editor in chief of Cosmopolitan declared a ban on models smaller than size 8 and then Vogue Magazine embraced a plus-sized figure, Jennifer Hudson, by featuring her on the cover. In the past year, the fashion industry has come under increased scrutiny for fostering unrealistic images of beauty, and it's evident that the stage is set for a major shift in cultural perceptions of how society views size and weight, And in a society where two out of every three American adults are overweight, promoting realistic expectations for weight loss is critical to helping consumers lead healthier lives, and the Slim-Fast brand has taken a clear stance in driving this change. In an unprecedented effort for the brand, Slim-Fast has joined forces with supermodel Rachel Hunter and iVillage, the #1 destination for women online, to help women achieve realistic and healthy weight loss. This effort is part of the launch of a new communications campaign called, 'Find Your Slim.' The campaign is a new point of view for the brand based on the guiding principle that there is no one ideal weight or size that suits everyone, and that each individual should set their own personal weight loss goal that is realistic and achievable. "I have always tried to be my own person and live up to my own definition of an ideal size that feels right for me and for my body," explained internationally renowned supermodel, actress and mother, Rachel Hunter. "When I heard about the Find Your Slim campaign, I thought it was refreshing for a weight loss company to deliver a message that was empowering -- it's freeing to be encouraged to set and achieve your own personal weight loss goal. That was a message I wanted to help spread." According to a new psychographic survey of consumers conducted by TSC, a division of Yankelovich, it has become passe to kowtow to societal standards. The study affirms that the time is now for widespread acceptance of a new definition of the ideal body weight. The survey, conducted in conjunction with noted psychologist Dr. Denise Martz, who has conducted research on in the area of women and body image, polled 4,000 people about the "Psychology of Size." The research looked at body image and size and its impact on weight loss. "Over the years, we've come to realize the impact unrealistic expectations of size can have on quality of life," stated Dr. Denise Martz, practicing psychologist, professor and expert in the area of body image and size. She continued, "If women are not happy with their size it creates avoidance behaviors and they don't engage in life. This research confirms the pressures women feel from magazines and TV to be thin impacts them in negative ways. In my experience, I've seen these pressures are, in fact, de-motivating for women when it comes to achieving weight loss goals." Based on the current media environment and the challenges Slim-Fast has seen in 30 years of helping consumers succeed at losing weight, the company has launched a new advertising and public relations campaign called "Find Your Slim." The campaign features women representing "real" body shapes and sizes with messages such as, "We believe in hips, not hip bones ... " "Over 60 percent of Americans are overweight or obese. Slim-Fast believes that people have a right to lose the amount of weight that's right for them and to do so on their own terms." Said Patricia Groziak, Senior Manager, Medical Marketing for Slim-Fast. "Studies have demonstrated that modest weight loss of just 5% to 10% of body weight is associated with substantial health benefits. We launched this new brand philosophy because we want to help consumers set realistic goals and have realistic expectations for weight loss, and with over 35 published clinical studies demonstrating the efficacy of our approach, Slim-Fast can help them succeed." Slim-Fast is an iconic weight loss brand that has survived three decades of diet fads and gimmicks. The company created the meal replacement category, and has remained successful through the low-carb and low-fat diet crazes of the past. Slim-Fast's success is grounded in portion and calorie control using satisfying, nutrient-dense meals and snacks combined with healthy food choices that offers proven success through a balanced approach to gradual, sustained weight loss. Find Your Slim Today Beginning today, consumers can log on to iVillage.com and join Rachel Hunter by entering a 10-week "Find Your Slim" contest. Rachel will incorporate Slim-Fast into her life as an approach to reaching her personal weight loss goal and will encourage consumers to do the same by setting a simple, doable weight loss goal of between 10 and 20 pounds. To enter the "Find Your Slim" Contest http://photos.ivillage.com/diet/findyourslim/, consumers will be required to upload a "before" picture, along with a 100-word entry that explains why they want to Find their Slim. At the end of the 10 weeks, they'll submit an "after" photograph on iVillage, along with a 100-word entry about their success. One consumer who has the most inspirational story for achieving their healthy body weight will be selected by Slim Fast to win a trip for two to Los Angeles or New York for a consultation with a stylist and cash for a shopping spree. Visitors to iVillage will also have the opportunity to sign-up for a free Slim-Fast starter kit with discounted products coupons and tools to help them on their journey regardless of whether or not they participate in the Find Your Slim Contest. Participants in the Find Your Slim campaign may be selected by Slim-Fast to tell their story and possibly participate in future advertising and promotional campaigns. Consumers can also go to http://www.slim-fast.com/ to learn more about how to use Slim-Fast products to Find Your Slim, create a customized meal plan based on a starting weight and can take advantage of free tracking tools, advice and tips. On iVillage.com, consumers will find unique editorial content including "Dare to Bare", encouraging women to develop and accept a healthy body image, tips from Rachel Hunter and body image experts Dr. Denise Martz and Leslie Goldman, features on fashion, mental and physical well-being, weight loss and self-acceptance. Using iVillage's social networking capabilities, consumers can join a community forum to talk to other women about issues around body image and setting and achieving realistic weight loss goals. "As the daily destination for millions of women online, we feel a strong sense of obligation to engage women in a dialogue about the issues associated with healthy body image and weight loss," said Deborah Fine, President of iVillage. "With the "Dare to Bare" program, which features Slim-Fast's 'Find Your Slim' campaign, we can offer them the tools and community support they need to make small changes that can dramatically impact their sense of well- being." The Slim-Fast Optima Diet is easy to follow-simply replace breakfast with a Slim-Fast shake, combine a Slim-Fast shake or bar with a 200-calorie healthy food choice at lunch, dine on a Sensible Meal at dinner, and snack on fruits and vegetables along with portion-controlled, satisfying snacks between meals. There are 4 customized meal plans designed to help people get started in achieving their personal weight loss goal. Or, use Slim-Fast Meals as part of any diet plan for a nutritionally balanced, satisfying, calorie-controlled meal replacement. Consumers can go to http://www.slim-fast.com/ and take a look at a newly redesigned website for all the tools and support needed to succeed, or call in for FREE support through our toll-free number (1-800-SLIM-FAST) where ALL callers have access to registered dietitians and experienced weight loss advisors for coaching and advice. About Slim-Fast Optima(R) Meals On-The-Go Slim-Fast has been a national leader in the weight-management field for 30 years. The company reformulated its flagship product, the Optima Shake, to control hunger for up to 4 hours with just 190 calories. The product contains a unique, patent-pending protein blend that triggers a feeling of fullness (satiety) in the body through normal digestive processes - without appetite suppressants or stimulants. Because many dieters cite hunger as a key reason for why their diets fail, the Slim-Fast shakes can help them stay on track to achieve their weight loss goals. And Slim-Fast Meal Bars have also been proven to control hunger for up to 4 hours. About Slim-Fast Foods Company Slim-Fast, a business unit of Unilever, offers a proven and effective way to lose weight that includes delicious and nutritionally-balanced weight loss shakes, meal bars and portion-controlled snacks, meal planning and tracking tools, physical activity suggestions, and expert advice and support. There are over 35 published clinical studies which show that following the Slim-Fast plan promotes effective weight loss and weight maintenance as well as improvement in the health risks associated with obesity. The Slim-Fast product line includes an affordable range of Shakes, Powders, Meal Bars and Snack Bars that are available in retail outlets nationwide. Visit slim-fast.com or call 1 800 SLIMFAST for more information. About Unilever Unilever (NYSE:ULNYSE:UN), one of the world's largest consumer products companies, aims to add vitality to life by meeting everyday needs for nutrition, hygiene and personal care. Each day, around the world, consumers make 150 million decisions to purchase Unilever products. The company has a portfolio of brands that make people feel good, look good and get more out of life. In the United States these brands include recognized names such as: Axe, "all," Ben & Jerry's, Bertolli, Breyers, Caress, Country Crock, Degree, Dove personal care products, Hellmann's, Knorr, Lipton, Popsicle, Promise, Q-Tips, Skippy, Slim-Fast, Snuggle, Suave, Sunsilk and Vaseline. All of the preceding brand names are registered trademarks of the Unilever Group of Companies. Dedicated to serving consumers and the communities where we live, work and play, Unilever in the United States employs approximately 13,000 people in more than 60 office and manufacturing sites in 24 states and Puerto Rico - generating nearly $10 billion in sales in 2006. For more information, visit http://www.unileverusa.com/. About iVillage Inc. iVillage Inc., a division of NBC Universal, is the first and largest media company dedicated exclusively to connecting women at every stage of their lives. Ranked the #1 online destination for women with 27 million unique visitors (comScore MediaMetrix), iVillage.com offers an authentic community infused with compelling content from experts on health, parenting, pregnancy, beauty, style, fitness, relationships, food and entertainment. The site's interactive features include thousands of message boards and a wide variety of social networking tools, allowing women around the world to connect, share ideas, and seek advice and support about everything from fertility to fashion. Established in 1995, iVillage's brand extensions include iVillage UK, iVillage Total Health and owned sites Astrology.com, GardenWeb and gURL.com, in addition to the Newborn Channel. The company, acquired by NBC Universal in May 2006, is based in New York. DATASOURCE: Slim-Fast CONTACT: Corey R. Martin, of Ogilvy PR Worldwide for Slim-Fast, +1-212- 880-5364, Web site: http://www.slim-fast.com/ http://www.ivillage.com/ http://www.unileverusa.com/

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