LOS ANGELES, Dec. 1, 2008 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vertical Branding, Inc. (OTCBB:VBDG) announced today that it has entered into a license agreement with German-based Genius GmbH, an international leader in household product design and development, for exclusive rights to market and sell two Genius housewares products that represent money-saving solutions for food preparation and storage.
The first product, the Genius Air, is a patented ionizer used in refrigerators that preserves the flavor and nutrition of vegetables and fruits, keeping them fresher up to three times longer than basic refrigeration by combating the effects of food-destroying bacteria. Genius Air also deodorizes refrigerators and helps reduce the presence and effects of pesticides. The second product, the Nicer Dicer(r), is an internationally best-selling kitchen tool that provides consumers a quick, safe and simple way to prepare fruits and vegetables. With the design ingenuity of Genius, the products can be sold at a low $19.99 price point that appeals to economically minded consumers.
"We are very excited that Genius has selected Vertical Branding to market these products in the United States," said Vertical Branding CEO Nancy Duitch. "These are just two of what we hope will be several products on which we collaborate with Genius and which fall squarely within our strategy of offering a quality product at a compelling value while addressing everyday consumer needs."
Under the terms of the license agreement, Genius grants Vertical Branding exclusive rights to promote, distribute and sell the products in the United States and its territories until 2011. Vertical Branding expects to begin test-marketing the products in transactional media in the near future, with roll-out to wholesale channels of distribution to follow in 2009.
"We are pleased to announce this new partnership with Vertical Branding," said Cedomir Repac, chief executive officer of Genius. "Vertical Branding's marketing platform and distribution channels are well-suited to the Genius line of products and should prove instrumental as we look to expand our global sales."
Headquartered in Germany, Genius develops, produces and sells quality kitchen and household products. Its patented products are almost exclusively the result of in-house development and manufacturing.
About Vertical Branding, Inc.
Vertical Branding is a consumer products company selling high-quality household, beauty and personal care products at affordable prices. The Company builds consumer awareness for its products and brands through direct response television, Internet and print advertising, with the goal of broader wholesale distribution to many of the country's largest retailers and drug chains as well as catalogs, home shopping channels and international distributors. Vertical Branding develops its own proprietary products and brands and licenses the rights to other select products that pass its rigorous screening process. The Company's hottest-selling products and brands currently include MyPlace, SteamBuddy, Hercules Hook, ZorbEEZ, EZ Foldz Step Stool and Extreme Beam.
About Genius GmbH
With its primary operations in Germany, Genius GmbH is a European company that sells quality products for kitchen and household use. Long-time industry veterans, Genius' experienced management focuses on modern and flexible marketing strategies which have placed the Genius products on the international market. The worldwide protected and patented products originate mostly from Genius' own development and production. The company cooperates with distribution partners in the USA, Europe and Asia.
Genius' motto, "Is Ingenious," refers to the process of development, from first prototype to final production. Their professional staff contributes to success in all areas, ensuring the highest quality product is brought to market.
Information Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
The information in this news release includes forecasts and predictions about future results and events, or "forward-looking statements," often identifiable by use of words like "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "future", "intend", "plan" and similar expressions. Such statements reflect the current view of Vertical Branding with respect to the matters discussed and are subject to and qualified by various risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those forecasted or predicted. A number of such risks and uncertainties are described in Vertical Branding's periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in the section of such reports entitled "Risk Factors." These include risks and uncertainties relating to the general industry in which the company operates, company operations, the company's ability to adequately finance the operation and growth of its business, the company's dependence upon third parties to supply products and fulfill customer orders, dependence upon major retail chains for sale of products, the company's ability to develop and market new products, its ability to protect intellectual property associated with its products and otherwise maintain competitive advantages, and volatility and uncertainty related to trading on the OTC Bulletin Board, penny stock rules and changes in government regulations. Other risk and uncertainties that are unknown or currently believed to be immaterial could also cause future results or events to differ materially from those forecasted or anticipated. Although Vertical Branding believes that the expectations reflected in the forward looking statements are reasonable, Vertical Branding cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Except as required by applicable law, including the securities laws of the United States, Vertical Branding does not intend to update any of the forward-looking statements to conform these statements to actual results. The foregoing discussion should be read in conjunction with Vertical Branding's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.