Pantene and Ronda Rousey Launch Campaign to Empower Women

Pantene is partnering with Ronda Rousey, mixed martial artist (MMA), judoka, actress and bestselling author. Together, Pantene and Rousey.

The new campaign features Rousey articulating the phrase “Don’t Hate Me Because I’m Strong” – a play on words from Pantene’s “Don’t Hate Me Because I’m Beautiful” campaign from the 1980s – to highlight the step-change that a woman’s power comes from her strength, not her beauty. In its newest chapter of the ‘Strong Is Beautiful’ story, Rousey will appear in TV, digital and print advertising, public relations and social media, and will join other Pantene Ambassadors who are fueling their hair with Pantene.

“I’m fully aware that I might not be the first person people think of to collaborate with a beauty brand,” says Rousey. “I’ve been called ‘Miss Man’ and ‘savage’ because of my physique, but to me, strength isn’t only about having muscles. It’s about having heart and finding inner confidence, so I’m honored that Pantene asked me to be part of their new campaign that encourages women to break gender barriers, break the glass ceiling and never settle.”

Pantene is continuing to empower women around the world not only at the forefront of its campaigns with its long line of strong women whom the Brand has partnered with throughout the years, including current Brand Ambassadors Selena Gomez and Jillian Hervey, but also behind-the-scenes with its female-dominated team, from a female director to a female editor, and led by a female brand team.

“We’re proud to announce Ronda Rousey as the newest member of the Pantene family,” says Jodi Allen, vice president of hair care for North America at Procter & Gamble. “Ronda is the future of strong women everywhere – women rising above society’s expectations and proving once and for all that strong is always beautiful.”