MEMPHIS, Tenn., April 10, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- It was formulated in North Carolina a century ago and since then has spread like kudzu across the Southeast, becoming as synonymous with the region as hospitality and sweet tea. BC Powder(r) (BC) is celebrating 100 years of fast pain relief this year through a line-up of anniversary activities, honoring all hardworking Americans and their contributions to making life less painful for future generations.
BC first gained popularity during the early 20th century among factory workers and millwright who suffered from extreme headaches and body aches after long, physically exhaustive days. Word spread throughout the Southeast that BC's formula worked fast because it was a powder -- which dissolves faster than tablets -- and the product quickly gained popularity across the region.
"In its hometown of Durham, N.C., BC became a part of everyday life, taken regularly by the men and women who migrated to the city looking for jobs while the factories were booming," says Steve Channing, a Durham-based historian. "These workers' jobs were intense, but they didn't have the time to be out of work for pain -- they had things that needed to get done. So, more and more often, they began turning to BC for trusted relief."
"Because BC has such a strong heritage, especially in the South, we wanted to use our centennial year as an opportunity to pay tribute to the people whose legacy of tireless work and contributions helped build this country," says Darren Singer, vice president of the General OTC Business Unit for GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare. "We've nurtured a strong relationship throughout the last 100 years, and we remain dedicated to relieving everyday aches and pains of hardworking Americans for the next 100 years."
BC POWDER'S FAST TIPS FOR ON-THE-JOB ACHES:
With many Americans experiencing work-related pain, BC offers the following advice for Americans to relieve aches so they can get back to work:
-- Use Temperatures to Treat! Heat and cold can be helpful for
people with musculoskeletal conditions. Something as simple as a
bag of frozen peas wrapped in a towel can be a useful
self-management technique that relieves muscle tension in the
back, neck and shoulders.
-- "Exhale" your stress! Relaxation skills, such as deep-breathing
techniques, are also useful in reducing muscle tension, and can
help reduce frustration and some stress. Progressive muscle
relaxation involves focusing attention on each muscle group until
it feels heavy and relaxed, usually beginning in the feet and
progressing upward.
-- Straight up! Sit up straight in your chair to help prevent back
pain. Remove bulky objects -- such as wallets -- from your back
pockets, as they can throw off balance in your lower back.
-- If it's broke, fix it! If the above techniques aren't enough to
prevent your aches and pains, keep a supply of fast pain relief
medicine, such as BC Powder, at work.
BC DEDICATES ITS 100TH YEAR TO HARDWORKING AMERICANS
After launching its anniversary in January in Durham, N.C., where the BC Remedy Co. originally was founded, BC's yearlong festivities are now traveling the Southeast and will culminate in September in Memphis, Tenn., where the BC manufacturing plant operates today.
"From World Wars to recessions, fast-acting pain relief has helped get workers back to doing their jobs quicker," Singer says. "Our line-up of centennial activities is a direct reflection of that continued commitment."
-- The Packaging of a Hero: For the first time in its history, BC
will feature people on its packages, commemorating individuals
whose contributions during the past century have made life "less
painful" for others. Collectible, six-count packages feature
George Washington Carver, Amelia Earhart, Madam CJ Walker,
Garrett Morgan, Henry Ford and BC founders Germain Bernard and
C.T. Council. The commemorative packages will be available
wherever BC is sold through mid-2006. This year will also be the
final curtain call for BC's current look -- a new, redesigned
package rolls out later this year.
-- BC's Centennial "America Hard at Work" Tour: After its Durham
debut, the tour continues to various destinations across the
Southeast, with a 1929 Model A Ford and a historical 1940s-era BC
dosing machine from its manufacturing plant in Memphis, Tenn., as
the centerpieces.
-- BC's "Reality" TV: Many people are eager to tell the world about
how BC helps them be at their best for their jobs. For several
years, BC has used these "Real People" in its TV commercials, a
tradition that will continue during its anniversary celebration
as several new everyday heroes are profiled. Look out for Tim, a
woodworker from Richmond, Va.; Jerrita, a news producer from
Nashville, Tenn.; and Carolyn, a truck driver from Asheboro,
N.C., as they share their pain-relief successes.
-- "BC's America Hard at Work" Poll: Commissioned as part of BC's
anniversary, the poll surveyed hardworking people across the
nation to provide insights into the country's "labor pains."
Results will be released in June.
-- More "Powder" to the People: Register to become one of BC's "Real
People" advertising stars, and stay up to date throughout 2006 on
all activities at www.bcpowder.com.
BC has provided fast pain relief for countless hardworking Americans during the past 100 years, and will continue to provide that same relief for generations to come. To find out more about how to celebrate with BC, visit www.bcpowder.com.
About BC Powder
BC Powder offers temporary relief for discomfort associated with headaches, minor body aches, and fever. Because BC is a powder, it gets into your bloodstream fast to provide quick, effective relief.
The BC Powder logo is available at: http://www.primezone.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=2519
About GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare
GSK Consumer Healthcare is one of the world's largest over-the-counter consumer healthcare products companies. Its more than 30 well-known brands include the leading smoking cessation products, Nicorette(r), and NicoDerm(r), as well as many medicine cabinet staples, including Abreva(r), Aquafresh(r), Sensodyne(r) and Tums(r).
INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES
-- Carol Council, granddaughter of Bernard Council, who formulated
BC Powder with Germain Bernard 100 years ago
-- Steve Channing, a Durham-based historian, who can explain the
birth of BC in the Southeast, its organic growth throughout the
region and its historical significance to the South
-- Darren Singer, vice president of GlaxoSmithKline Consumer
Healthcare's OTC Business Unit, and Warren Brackin, associate
brand manager for BC Powder can discuss the future of BC Powder
beyond its 100th year