Dove Men+Care Unites Rivals this March Madness® with #RepTheRivalry Campaign

The brand taps sportswear designer Don C. to create limited-edition jerseys

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Mar 08, 2019, 09:00 ET

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J., March 8, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- NCAA® March Madness® is known for some of the most intense and deep-seated rivalries in sports history. While the passion shown by fans and players on either side of the court can be seen as divisive, rivalries truly stem from undeniable commonalities and have a positive impact on athletes, fans and the game. In fact, these storied college basketball rivalries share many things – except the jersey. That's why, this March Madness, Dove Men+Care will bring college basketball's biggest rivals together by turning the jersey into a symbol of unity.

In partnership with menswear designer and caring dad Don C., Dove Men+Care is creating limited-edition jerseys that pay homage to the three biggest rivalries in basketball, starting with the iconic Tobacco Road rivalry. The most significant road in North Carolina college basketball, Tobacco Road, is a ten mile stretch that connects the teams. This century-old rivalry is one of the most notable match-ups in sports history. Don C. has created a truly custom, vintage-inspired jersey that blends standout elements from each team's heritage and shared culture. Two additional rivalry jerseys designed by Don C., and inspired by team history, will be dropped in surprise locations throughout the month of March.

Dove Men+Care understands rivalries define college basketball fan culture, but they're often seen as divisive. Yet, rival teams and fans share more than what is initially presumed. In fact, rivalries are created because of evenly matched technical skills, geographical proximity, and shared histories. These similarities drive unity between rival teams and fan bases and Dove Men+Care research shows that 98% of men believe that a positive experience/culture enhances their sporting experience. By creating jerseys that unify fans in a clear way, Dove Men+Care aims to celebrate what brings fans together, rather than what keeps them apart.

The brand will also partner with basketball greats like Jay Williams, Antawn Jamison and more to inspire fans everywhere to come together and #ReptheRivalry this season. Together, these former opponents will don their jerseys to pay homage to their rivalries.

"I will always remember the thrill of playing against my team's biggest rival. The energy and passion we all channeled into playing against our opponent knew no bounds," said Williams, a basketball analyst and former national champion. "Rivalries in sports are what drive us to come back to the courts again and again. It's what we all have in common. Regardless of which side of your own Tobacco Road you fall on, I hope to see you donning your jersey in celebration of unity this season."

How to Get A Jersey
Dove Men+Care is dropping limited-edition Don C. jerseys that pay homage to the three biggest rivalries in basketball. All three jersey designs will roll out during the month of March and be available exclusively to rival fans and former opponents in the markets where the rivalries are based to rep their rivalries throughout this year's tournament. Fans can find information on which rivalries the jerseys represent and drop information on dovemencare.com/reptherivalry or by searching #ReptheRivalry on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

NCAA, Final Four and March Madness are trademarks of the National Collegiate Athletic Association. Dove Men+Care is a brand product of Unilever, an official NCAA Corporate Partner.

About Dove Men+Care U.S.
Dove Men+Care is the first range of products from Dove developed specially for men. Manufactured by Unilever, the line includes the #1 dermatologist recommended bars and body washes in the U.S. Launched in 2010, the Dove Men+Care portfolio includes bars, body washes, face care, anti-perspirant/deodorants, and hair care. Dove Men+Care is available nationwide in food, drug, and mass outlet stores.

About Unilever United States, Inc.
Unilever is one of the world's leading suppliers of Beauty & Personal Care, Home Care, and Foods & Refreshment products with sales in over 190 countries and reaching 2.5 billion consumers a day. In the United States, the portfolio includes brand icons such as Axe, Ben & Jerry's, Breyers, Caress, Degree, Dollar Shave Club, Dove, Good Humor, Hellmann's, Klondike, Knorr, Lever 2000, Lipton, Love Beauty and Planet, Magnum, Nexxus, Noxzema, Pond's, Popsicle, Pure Leaf, Q-tips, Schmidt's Naturals, Seventh Generation, Simple, Sir Kensington's, St. Ives, Suave, Sundial Brands, Talenti Gelato & Sorbetto, TAZO, TIGI, TONI&GUY, TRESemmé and Vaseline. All of the preceding brand names are trademarks or registered trademarks of the Unilever Group of Companies.

Unilever's Sustainable Living Plan underpins the company's strategy and commits to:

Helping more than a billion people take action to improve their health and well-being by 2020.
Halving the environmental impact of our products by 2030.
Enhancing the livelihoods of millions of people by 2020.

The USLP creates value by driving growth and trust, eliminating costs and reducing risks. Globally, the company's sustainable living brands grew 46% faster than the rest of the business and delivered more than 70% of the company's growth in 2017.

For more information on Unilever U.S., its brands, and the Unilever Sustainable Living Plan visit: www.unileverusa.com

Contact:
Jessica Ostrau / Edelman
212.704.4595
[email protected]

SOURCE Dove Men+Care