CCA Diving Into Bikini Zone
CCA Industries here will be hitting the beach this summer to promote Bikini Zone, a line of medicated cremes that relieve irritation caused by bikini-area hair removal. Starting May 15 and continuing through Labor Day weekend, lifeguards at beaches across the country will be distributing "Beach Safety & Beauty," a brochure including information on the products and a mail-in coupon. "Rescue Me" signs on lifeguard stands will announce the brochure's availability. CCA will also advertise Bikini Zone on nationally syndicated network television, spot TV and radio shows.
Close-Up Revs Up for NASCAR
GREENWICH, Conn. -- Close-Up toothpaste, a brand manufactured by Unilever Home & Personal Care USA here, is preparing to enter the second year of its "Watch Jeff Gordon to Win" sweepstakes with new packaging and a giveaway of an all-expenses-paid trip to the new All-American SportPark in Las Vegas. Starting next month, limited-edition Close-Up packaging will feature a picture of Gordon, a stock-car racer. Each package will carry an identification number, three of which will be picked July 26 during the broadcast of a National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing event on cable station TBS. Winners and their guests will get to race NASCAR Stock Carts and SuperTruck Carts at the SportPark.
Curad Ties-in With 'Godzilla'
WILTON, Conn. -- Bandage-maker Curad, a division of Beiersdorf Inc. here, will launch two different "Godzilla" bandages to coincide with the May 20 opening of the much-anticipated movie. The bandages -- one version features Godzilla's eyes, the other its scaly skin -- will be sold in 30-count cartons of both 5/8-inch and 3/4-inch strips. Suggested retail price will be $2.29. Curad, whose previous licensed products have included "Casper," Cartoon Network and "Jurassic Park" bandages, will be offering retailers "Godzilla" floor stands and multipacks.
IVC Has a Strong Second Quarter
FREEHOLD, N.J. -- IVC Industries here, a manufacturer of branded and private-label vitamins and nutritional supplements, has reported that net sales were up 7% and income grew 37% in the second quarter of fiscal 1998.
Net income for the quarter ended Jan. 31 was $536,000, or 3 cents per share, on net sales of $29.3 million. The company recorded income of $391,000, or 2 cents per share, on sales of $27.3 million in the comparable year-ago period.
In a prepared statement, IVC cited higher net sales in its soft-gelatin-encapsulation division and its West Coast and Canadian divisions, as well as the acquisition of the Vitamin Specialties brand, for its rosier second-quarter numbers.
"We are continuing to focus on our higher-margined branded product lines. Sales and gross profit margins are beginning to reflect the results which we are striving for," said I. Alan Hirschfeld, executive vice president.
