Prilosec OTC(R) and Big & Rich Team Up to Salute and Honor America's Heroes

Prilosec OTC(R) and Big & Rich Team Up to Salute and Honor America's Heroes

'Comin' To Your City' Tour Features Patriotic New Single, Local Heroes and a Summer Full of Adventure

CINCINNATI, July 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Prilosec OTC, the number-1 selling over-the-counter heartburn medicine*, has teamed up with country music stars Big & Rich on a whirlwind summer adventure that promises to entertain and educate fans. At the cornerstone of the promotion is a program designed to honor the nation's heroes, from veterans to moms to firefighters.

Who is Your Hero?

With the recent launch of Big & Rich's "8th of November" single, a song dedicated to honoring Vietnam veterans, the duo is encouraging people across the country to submit a dedication story about their personal hero on http://www.honoryourhero.com/. Throughout the summer, new stories will be profiled on the website. In addition, for every story submitted, Prilosec OTC will donate $5 to the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, up to $30,000.00.

"The 8th of November is very special to us, since it's about purple-heart recipient Niles Harris, a true American hero who has become our friend," said John Rich. "We are proud to be working with Prilosec OTC to honor heroes this summer and raise funds for other veterans who have sacrificed so much for this country."

"We are thrilled to partner with Prilosec OTC and Big & Rich in our efforts to highlight and bring attention to the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor as a distinguished place of remembrance recognizing the thousands of veterans awarded the Purple Heart medal," said New York State Office of Parks Recreation and Historic Preservation Commissioner Bernadette Castro. "The Hall of Honor will serve all Americans and inspire people around the world to learn more about the tremendous sacrifice of the men and women who gave so much so that others may have life, liberty and freedom."

Furthering this support, Big & Rich has developed a made-for-TV 50-minute documentary about the making of the "8th of November," which will be exclusively available to consumers with a purchase of a Prilosec OTC special pack at select merchandisers nationwide. The documentary features interviews with Harris and the Vietnamese soldiers he fought against, Big & Rich's trip to the very site of the battle where Harris was wounded in Vietnam, and interviews with Big & Rich on the inspiration behind the creation of the song.

Summer Concert Tour - Are you ready for an Adventure?

In addition to honoring the nation's heroes, Prilosec OTC has jumped on board Big & Rich's summer tour and is visiting country music fans around the country. Launched in early June, the "Big & Rich Comin' to Your City Tour Presented by Prilosec OTC" will span the nation with more than 30 shows throughout summer. At each concert, consumers will have the opportunity to visit the Prilosec OTC booth to receive fun gifts and prizes, and the chance to be entered into the "Live Your Adventure" Sweepstakes.

The Prilosec OTC "Live Your Adventure" Sweepstakes will be giving away an adventure a day, from trips to Country Music concerts to white water rafting. The grand prize is an ultimate country music experience to live it up Big & Rich style. The winner and five friends will receive a luxury weekend at the Ploughboy Mansion in Nashville, a private concert from Big & Rich, their own tour bus to travel with Big & Rich to concerts, VIP concert access and much more.

"We are very excited to be working with Big & Rich this summer," said Karen Klei, Brand Manager, Prilosec OTC. "From giving back to our nation's heroes to awarding our consumers, this summer is all about adventures!"

For more information on the "Big & Rich Comin' to Your City Tour Presented by Prilosec OTC" or the "Live Your Adventure Sweepstakes" please visit http://www.prilosecotccountry.com/.

The Prilosec OTC Country Connection

A recent survey** found that 38 percent of frequent heartburn sufferers choose Country as their top musical choice, versus only 24 percent of people who don't suffer from heartburn at all. In other words, adult frequent heartburn sufferers are 58 percent more likely to put Country Music at the top of their list than are adults who say they don't have heartburn.

About PRILOSEC OTC

PRILOSEC OTC is the #1 Doctor-(1) and Pharmacist-(2) recommended OTC acid reducer, the first of a class of OTC heartburn medicines that works differently from every other over-the-counter heartburn medication. Prilosec OTC is the only OTC heartburn medicine that can work for 24 hours with one pill a day by directly shutting down many acid pumps in your stomach when used as directed for 14 days for treating frequent heartburn. PRILOSEC OTC is the #1 selling OTC heartburn medicine* on the market. For more information about PRILOSEC OTC, visit http://www.prilosecotc.com/. PRILOSEC OTC is available over-the-counter through an alliance between P&G and AstraZeneca.

About Big & Rich

Big Rich formed in Nashville around 1998, when ex-Lone Star vocalist John Rich began collaborating with songwriter Big Kenny (real name: Kenny Alphin). The duo established a performers' roundtable at a local dive, and the event dubbed the "Muzik Mafia" soon gained a reputation for eclecticism and notable special guests. Big & Rich are known for taking country in a radically new direction-with rock and rap nestled beside twin fiddles and the steel guitar.

About the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor

The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor will serve as the only institution in the nation dedicated solely to the more than 1.7 million Purple Heart medal recipients wounded or killed in action while serving in the United States military. Through engaging interactive exhibits and videotaped recollections told by veterans themselves, the Hall of Honor will offer visitors a variety of educational experiences to increase awareness of the Purple Heart medal and its recipients.

About Procter & Gamble (NYSE:PG)

Three billion times a day, P&G brands touch the lives of people around the world. The company has one of the strongest portfolios of trusted, quality, leadership brands, including Pampers(R), Tide(R), Ariel(R), Always(R), Whisper(R), Pantene(R), Mach3(R). Bounty(R), Dawn(R), Pringles(R), Folgers(R), Charmin(R), Downy(R), Lenor(R), Iams(R), Crest(R), Oral-B(R), Actonel(R), Duracell(R), Olay(R), Head & Shoulders(R), Wella, Gillette(R), and Braun. The P&G community consists of almost 140,000 employees working in over 80 countries worldwide. Please visit http://www.pg.com for the latest news and in-depth information about P&G and its brands.

* Based on dollar sales. AC Nielson FD+ dollar share of heartburn
(12/28/03 - 5/27/06).

** An omnibus survey administered by International Communications Research
(ICR) on June 17-22, 2005 surveyed 1,016 adults via telephone to
determine music format preference among frequent heartburn sufferers.

(1) NDC Health, NDC Physician Recommendation Audit
(April 2005 - September 2005, Acid Reducer Category). Data on file.

(2) Based on share of recommendations: Pharmacy Today 2005 OTC Survey,
Acid Reducers.

Source: Procter & Gamble

CONTACT: Crystal W. Harrell, Ph.D of P&G Health Care External Relations,
+1-513-622-2880; or Robyn Finker of Manning Selvage & Lee, +1-212-468-3879,
for Procter & Gamble

Web site: http://www.pg.com/
http://www.prilosecotccountry.com/
http://www.honoryourhero.com/

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