From Forty and Fabulous to Famous...

From Forty and Fabulous to Famous...

The Winners of The Starter Wife 40's and Fabulous Contest Presented by POND'S(R) Hit the Red Carpet and Prepare for Their Small Screen Debuts

NEW YORK, May 21 /PRNewswire/ -- One look at any of the five winners of "The Starter Wife 40s and Fabulous Contest presented by POND'S(R)," a coast-to-coast search for the five women who embody the qualities of today's 40-something woman, confirms it: they are sexy, sassy and super confident. These five women received the once in a lifetime opportunity to star in their own special vignette that will air nationally during "The Starter Wife" on USA Network from Thursday, May 31 at 9 pm/8c through Thursday, June 28.

POND'S, the face care brand that gives women the beauty edge and the exclusive sponsor of "The Starter Wife," the much-anticipated mini-series starring Emmy(R) Award winner Debra Messing, asked women nationwide to share how their sassiness and confidence shine through in their own lives. Thousands of motivating tales poured in and ultimately, five women were chosen who embody the true meaning of forty and fabulous -- sexy, sassy, and confident!

"These five women are just as inspiring as 'The Starter Wife's' heroine Molly Kagan," notes Gigi Levangie Grazer, best-selling author and executive producer of "The Starter Wife." "Reading their stories was a moving and uplifting experience. Just like Molly, they are full of life and life's experiences, which has given them the confidence to be themselves and live on their own terms," Grazer adds.

From Rockville to Redwood City, the lucky ladies are an inspiration to millions of women who will get to know them when their vignettes are featured during the show:

-- Kimberly Bearden, 41, of Marietta, Ga., says that life came
together for her recently following a difficult divorce. Now,
happily married to "the man of her dreams," she keeps busy doing
public speaking, raising a family and staying involved in the
school she created for inner-city youths.
-- Caroline Alexander, 43, of Malibu, Calif., survived major brain
surgery -- along with her children's teenage years -- and has
taken the opportunity to start her life off fresh.
-- Maggie LaVay, 44, Rockville, Md., escaped a life under Iranian
Islamic militants in the 1980s to find a home and freedom in the
United States. At forty, she secured the first of her Tae Kwon Do
black belt degrees and recently married the man of her dreams.
-- Debbie Gisonni, 45, of Redwood City, Calif., says that after
losing four family members in just four years, she learned that
life is meant to be enjoyed. She tries to live in joy everyday
whether belly dancing or jumping on her trampoline!
-- Deb Cohen, 41, of Andover, Mass., is a mother of two young
children and a three-year cancer survivor who enjoys the challenge
of riding in 84-mile bike races. When speaking of her struggles
with cancer, she says she now feels more beautiful than ever.

The poignant vignettes will air each week during "The Starter Wife," a sexy, savvy, and wickedly funny tour de force about life after divorce and one woman's (Messing) quest to redefine herself. In addition, all five women are receiving the "star treatment" with a trip full of glitz, glamour and grown-up beauty in Los Angeles. From their red carpet Hollywood "debut" at the exclusive, star-studded "The Starter Wife" premiere party on Tuesday, May 22 to a hair, make-up and clothing makeover with celebrity stylist, Jeannie Mai, the experience is sure to be unforgettable.

"POND'S and 'The Starter Wife' celebrate the grown-up beauty of women in their 40s who know exactly what their assets are and how to play them up," said Srini Sripada, Unilever, marketing director, POND'S. "When you look good, you feel good and the confidence shows." In fact, according to a recent POND'S survey, 80 percent of 40+ women say that they are more self-confident now than their former 20-something selves.

Viewers of "The Starter Wife" will have the chance to win dazzling right hand diamond rings -- the ultimate symbol of empowerment and confidence for 40+ women -- courtesy of POND's. Starting this month, consumers can look for specially marked packages of POND'S products featuring a sticker with a unique game code. One winning code will be revealed each week during "The Starter Wife" on USA Network (May 31-June 28).* Each week viewers will have the chance to win their own symbol of empowerment, a Dazzling Diamond Right right- hand ring.

About Pond's(R):

With a rich heritage for more than 100 years, Pond's(R), a Unilever trusted face care brand, was first made famous for its classic Cold Cream. Today, the Pond's product line consists of anti-aging cleansers and moisturizers as well as several classics that meet the needs of women whose faces have begun to show signs of aging. Pond's keeps skin looking its best and helps women feel confident by delivering significant and noticeable skin benefits through innovative and effective ingredients. Pond's products are available at drug, mass merchandisers, club stores and supermarkets nationwide. Suggested retail price ranges from $3.99 to $19.99. For more information and skin care tips on Pond's products, visit www.ponds.com.

About Unilever

Unilever (NYSE:UL)(NYSE:UN), one of the world's largest consumer products companies, aims to add vitality to life by meeting everyday needs for nutrition, hygiene and personal care. Each day, around the world, consumers make 150 million decisions to purchase Unilever products. The company has a portfolio of brands that make people feel good, look good and get more out of life.

In the United States these brands include recognized names such as: Axe, "all," Ben & Jerry's, Bertolli, Breyers, Caress, Country Crock, Degree, Dove personal care products, Hellmann's, Knorr, Lipton, Popsicle, Promise, Q-Tips, Skippy, Slim-Fast, Snuggle, Suave, Sunsilk and Vaseline. 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 in the United States employs approximately 13,000 people in more than 60 office and manufacturing sites in 24 states and Puerto Rico -- generating nearly $10 billion in sales in 2006. For more information, visit www.unileverusa.com.

* NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Void where prohibited. Sweepstakes ends 8/4/07. See official rules at www.ponds.com.

Contact: Briana Haas
Weber Shandwick
(917) 373-0560
blhaas@webershandwick.com

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: POND'S

CONTACT: Briana Haas of Weber Shandwick, +1-917-373-0560,
blhaas@webershandwick.com, for POND'S

Web site:

http://www.ponds.com/
http://www.unileverusa.com/

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