There’s Something in the Water: Global Icon, Berocca^®, Arrives on U.S. Soil with New Special Formula and Flavor

Berocca, a global franchise long-loved by friends abroad in over 70 countries, has made its way to the U.S. and is now available at retailers nationwide in a special formula – in both orange and new mixed berry flavors. It’s a vitamin mineral supplement powered with Guarana and caffeine to support mental sharpness and B-vitamins to support physical energy by helping to convert food to energy*, and has other key nutrients such as Magnesium, Zinc, and Vitamin C. Its unique dual benefit positioning puts Berocca in a class of its own -- apart from conventional energy products and multivitamins.

Berocca’s U.S. launch kicked off with a series of television advertisements featuring actor and comedian Joel McHale as motivational speaker Brock Spedwell, who enthusiastically turns his audience into true Berocca believers. McHale is best known for his quick wit and comedic timing as host of E!’s “The Soup” and star on NBC’s hit comedy series “Community,” which will next be seen on Yahoo!. He embodies the Berocca brand, as he juggles his acting and comedy career, high-profile hosting gigs, and family, and has brought his knack for storytelling to help create a witty and edgy ad campaign.

“This is the start of a lovely friendship between myself and Berocca. We’re going to be inseparable. That’s a court order,” said McHale. “And if you’ve ever dreamt of seeing me in a goatee and leather vest, this campaign is the fourth time that dream will come true!”

To celebrate Berocca’s arrival, the brand is also launching “Get a Lift, Give a Lift,” a new charitable campaign with McHale that offers consumers a free Berocca-sponsored lift for their New York City commute today. McHale will take the ceremonial first ride – surrounded by Brock Spedwell “protégés” – and share how Berocca fits into his daily routine. Each free lift provided will trigger a $10 donation to Every Monday Matters (EMM), a unique non-profit organization that inspires, engages, and lifts people to shake up the world around them through the power of positive action…one person, one “Monday” at a time. Each dollar raised gives one student a chance to become part of EMM’s “You Matter” program, which motivates future leaders to become difference-makers and movers and shakers in their schools, families, communities, and the world.

Not in New York City? That’s okay; consumers can still help “Give a Lift” by visiting Berocca’s Facebook page. In combination with the free “lifts” in New York City, each “Like” beginning today through December 31, 2014, triggers an additional $1 donation to support EMM’s “You Matter” program, up to a grand total of $25,000.

“Bayer HealthCare is thrilled to bring Berocca to the U.S., and launch a campaign in partnership with Joel McHale and Every Monday Matters that encourages people to maximize every day and challenge others to do the same,” said Girard Smith, Vice President of Marketing, at Bayer HealthCare. “As a trusted brand around the world, we can’t wait for Americans to join us and experience this innovative product that provides support for mental sharpness and physical energy.”

For more information, visit Berocca.com and Berocca’s Facebook page to connect with other Berocca believers.

About Every Monday Matters

Every Monday Matters (EMM) is a California-based non-profit organization that inspires individuals to make the world a better place, one Monday at a time. Every Monday Matters’ mission is to empower individuals, companies, schools and non-profits to create positive change through their understanding of how much they matter. The You Matter K-12 Education Curriculum currently reaches thousands of students in over 2,000 schools from 42 states. The program provides educators and students opportunities to connect with how much and why they matter through three different options: in-class and after-school projects, student-led clubs, and student assemblies. Students build self-esteem and leadership skills through hands-on activities and social responsibility projects that impact their school campuses, communities, and the world.

About Bayer HealthCare

The Bayer Group is a global enterprise with core competencies in the fields of health care, agriculture and high-tech materials. Bayer HealthCare, a subgroup of Bayer AG with annual sales of EUR 18.9 billion (2013), is one of the world’s leading, innovative companies in the healthcare and medical products industry and is based in Leverkusen, Germany. The company combines the global activities of the Animal Health, Consumer Care, Medical Care and Pharmaceuticals divisions. Bayer HealthCare’s aim is to discover, develop, manufacture and market products that will improve human and animal health worldwide. Bayer HealthCare has a global workforce of 56,000 employees (Dec 31, 2013) and is represented in more than 100 countries. More information is available at www.healthcare.bayer.com.

The Consumer Care division of Bayer HealthCare is headquartered in Whippany, N.J. USA. Bayer’s Consumer Care division is among the largest marketers of over-the-counter medications and nutritional supplements in the world. Some of the most trusted and recognizable brands in the world today come from the Bayer portfolio of products. These include Aleve^®, Alka-Seltzer^®, Alka-Seltzer Plus^®, Apronax^®, Aspirin^®, Bactine^®, Bayer^® Aspirin, Bepanthen^®, Bepanthol^®, Berocca^®, Cal-D-Vita/Elevit^®, Canesten^®, Flanax^®, Flintstones^™ Vitamin, Midol^®, One A Day^® Vitamin, Phillips’^® Milk of Magnesia, Redoxon^®, Rennie^®, Supradyn^®, Talcid^® and Vital 50 Plus^®.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Bayer Group or subgroup management. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in Bayer’s public reports which are available on the Bayer website at www.bayer.com. The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.

Contacts:

Bayer HealthCare
Anne Coiley, (862) 404-6314
E-Mail: [email protected]

Marina Maher Communications
Erica Nadboy, (212) 485-6863
E-Mail: [email protected]