GNC Makes Play in Big Game With First Super Bowl Ad

PITTSBURGH, Dec. 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading vitamin and supplements brand GNC Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: GNC) announced today that, for the first time in the company's history, it will advertise in the Super Bowl, scheduled for February 5, 2017. The commercial, along with associated placements and promotions, will coincide with the upcoming relaunch of the brand as One New GNC. The company will close all U.S. corporate stores on December 28 and reopen December 29 as One New GNC, with a dramatically improved customer experience and a new business model built around consumer preferences.

"The decision to make the substantial investment in Super Bowl advertising and promotions reflects our commitment to raise awareness of the One New GNC and invite consumers back into our stores.  Done right, a Super Bowl advertising strategy, and the subsequent campaign that follows with the investment, has the power to drive significant interest in the brand, encourage trial and do it much, much more quickly than we could with a traditional advertising plan," said Bob Moran, GNC's interim CEO.

"The Super Bowl strategy will build awareness of GNC as a partner in the healthy lifestyle journey of Americans, whether they are looking to maximize their sports performance and fitness, maintain a healthy weight or achieve and sustain general wellness," said Jeffrey R. Hennion, Executive Vice President, Chief Marketing & e-Commerce Officer for GNC. "While the One New GNC is backed by robust marketing aimed at our core consumer, our detailed analysis shows that, as we fundamentally shift our business model and our offering, the Super Bowl can deliver an attractive return on investment."

Full details of the GNC ad and its supporting initiatives have not yet been disclosed. Visit GNC.com for more information about GNC and its product line. Follow the brand on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

About GNC Holdings Inc.
GNC Holdings, Inc.  (NYSE: GNC) - Headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA - is a leading global specialty health, wellness and performance retailer.

GNC connects customers to their best selves by offering a premium assortment of health, wellness and performance products, including protein, performance supplements, weight management supplements, vitamins, herbs and greens, wellness supplements, health and beauty, food and drink and other general merchandise. This assortment features proprietary GNC - including Mega Men®, Ultra Mega®, Total LeanTM, Pro Performance®, Pro Performance® AMP, Beyond Raw®, GNC Puredge®, GNC GenetixHD®, Herbal Plus® - and nationally recognized third-party brands.

GNC's diversified, multi-channel business model generates revenue from product sales through company-owned retail stores, domestic and international franchise activities, third-party contract manufacturing, e-commerce and corporate partnerships. As of September 30, 2016, GNC had more than 9,000 locations, of which more than 6,700 retail locations are in the United States (including 2,347 Rite Aid franchise store-within-a-store locations) and franchise operations in approximately 50 countries.

Media contacts:
Edelman: Marla Saret, 312-233-1320
Marla.Saret@edelman.com

Edelman: Patrick Skertich, 312-233-1353
Patrick.Skertich@edelman.com

Investor contact:
GNC: Amy Greene, 412-288-4744
Amy-Greene@gnc-hq.com

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SOURCE GNC Holdings, Inc.