ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, NJ--(Marketwire - April 1, 2011) - What football fan out there has not wondered if they have what it takes to get in the game? Now, men can test their game-day skills in the Keep Your Grip Challenge, an exciting new online football game created by Vaseline MEN, a line of non-greasy hand and body lotions, that challenges players to keep their grip on the ball as they charge downfield. The Challenge is hosted by football legend and longtime Vaseline MEN partner Michael Strahan, who coaches, encourages and even taunts the player as he tries to advance through the game. Vaseline MEN launched the online football experience at a battle of the gridiron greats yesterday when Strahan took on New York Giants wide receiver Steve Smith and Atlanta Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez for the highest score.
For downloadable assets including video, photos and other supporting documents, please visit: http://www.multimedianewscenter.com/vaseline/keep-your-grip-challenge-with-football-greats-michael-strahan-steve-smith-and-tony-gonzalez
The Vaseline MEN Keep Your Grip Challenge puts the player right in the center of the action by challenging him to grip and run the ball down the field to break through to the end zone. Through five levels of non-stop bone-crushing play, keeping a firm grip on the ball wins the game. There is one catch: fierce defenders will attack relentlessly, showing no mercy as they try to tackle the player. Larger-than-life animated players, fast cuts and moves, and constant action is all part of the game's dynamic 3-D experience. The Keep Your Grip Challenge is one of the first widely-available branded games to be powered by Unity technology, usually found in more sophisticated console games.
Strahan, Smith and Gonzalez went head to head at Chelsea Piers in New York to tackle the game instead of each other. They put their skills, speed and stamina to the test as they tried to keep their "virtual" grip on the ball and battle it out for the highest score in the Challenge. With a high score of 74,600, Gonzalez beat Strahan at his own game, showing that he has what it takes to get downfield while holding onto the ball. In celebration of the friendly competition, Vaseline MEN made a $25,000 donation in Gonzalez's name to Youth on the Move -- a non-profit organization that supports national youth football programs.
"No other game requires a good grip as much as football, since you have to hold onto the ball to win -- and you just can't do that with greasy skin," says Michael Strahan. "Vaseline MEN has really scored with this game, which highlights the lotion's non-greasy formula, while giving guys a chance to do what they love to do -- take on a challenge."
Men can take the Keep Your Grip Challenge by visiting KeepYourGripChallenge.com. Players can also enter for the chance to win a viewing party in Las Vegas for themselves and three friends for next year's big game*. They will also have a chance to win one of one-hundred footballs autographed by Michael Strahan.
The Challenge is housed on WildTangent, a popular online gaming hub for men that reaches more than 100 million players per month. A leader board allows players to see how their scores stack up against others. There is a "Like" button on the WildTangent site so that players can like the game on Facebook, as well as a "Share" button to spread the word on social media sites and channels including Facebook, Twitter, Email, StumbleUpon and Digg. Fans can also pass the game along after they have entered the sweepstakes.
ABOUT VASELINE MEN
Vaseline MEN is a line of non-greasy body and face lotions that are specifically formulated to strengthen men's skin. The brand's line of products and variants reflect a deep understanding of the consumer marketplace and extensive research into men's attitudes on skin care. Vaseline MEN formulas can be used every day on all skin types and are available in three variants: the Vaseline MEN Fast Absorbing Body and Face Lotion and Vaseline MEN Cooling Hydration Body Lotion are both available in a 24.5oz pump (SRP: $5.49-$6.99) and the Vaseline MEN Extra Strength Body and Face Lotion is available in a 10oz bottle (SRP $3.19-$3.69)
ABOUT VASELINE
Vaseline® products are manufactured by Unilever (
ABOUT UNILEVER
Unilever is one of the world's leading suppliers of fast moving consumer goods with strong operations in more than 100 countries and sales in 180. With products that are used over two billion times a day around the world, we work to create a better future every day and help people feel good, look good and get more out of life with brands and services that are good for them and good for others. In the United States, Canada and the Greater Caribbean (Trinidad & Tobago, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico) the portfolio includes brand icons such as: Axe, Becel, Ben & Jerry's, Bertolli, Blue Band, Breyers, Caress, Country Crock, Degree, Dove personal care products, Good Humor, Hellmann's, I Can't Believe It's Not Butter!, Klondike, Knorr, Lever 2000, Lipton, Omo, Pond's, Popsicle, Promise, Q-Tips, Ragu, Skippy, Slim-Fast, Suave, TIGI, Vaseline, and Wish-Bone. 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 employs more than 13,000 people across North America -- generating nearly $10 billion in sales in 2010. For more information, visit www.unileverusa.com, www.unilever.ca, or www.unilevercaribbean.com.
*No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. Ends 6/30/11. Must be 18+. Official rules at keepyourgripchallenge.com.
Contact Information:
CONTACTS:
Katie Wadhams
M Booth & Associates
(212) 481-7000, ext. 3226