New Leadership Team for OTC Leader Zicam® Inspires Renewed Mission in Cold-Shortening Category

BRIDGEWATER, N.J., July 17, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Matrixx Initiatives, Inc., manufacturer and marketer of Zicam®, leading provider of over-the-counter homeopathic cold shortening products, today announced a new leadership team including CEO Marc Rovner, Senior Vice President of Sales Phil Bramel, Vice President of Marketing Gulam Khan and Vice President of Customer Strategy and Insights Craig Stoll. With these strategic new hires, the brand has a renewed focus on ambitious growth and introducing innovative new products in the cold-shortening category.

Matrixx Initiatives Chief Executive Officer Marc Rovner joins the Zicam® team with more than 30 years of experience in meeting the needs of consumers across a number of health and wellness categories working with companies such as Unilever, Pfizer and Reckitt-Benckiser. Driving innovation and insights through marketing and sales capabilities, increasing household penetration, driving first-time trial, and building out a high-performing entrepreneurial team will be Rovner's highest priorities in this position.

"I have been a loyal Zicam® user for many years, personally benefiting from the cold-shortening effects on many occasions. It was natural for me to spearhead an organization with a brand I rely on and trust," said Rovner. "Zicam® continues to gain new fans year over year, and as a brand we are committed to investing in capabilities and strategies to substantially accelerate growth so even more people can come to know and experience its incredible cold remedy benefits. It's a rare opportunity that merges diverse career experience with a personal passion for a product."

As Senior Vice President of Sales, Phil Bramel will be responsible for developing company objectives that will promote sales growth and customer satisfaction. "Our target customer lives a full life, and there's an urgency to get back to living that life without the burden of cold symptoms," said Bramel. "We hope to deliver on that promise with a new strategy that will reinforce Zicam® product benefits." Phil joins Zicam® following years of experience in the CPG marketplace, leading organizations including Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson and Boehringer-Ingelheim.

Gulam Khan, Vice President of Marketing, joins Zicam® with more than 17 years of experience in the CPG field, most recently leading the Philips Norelco Franchise. Khan will be responsible for getting Zicam® into more medicine cabinets, driving annual sales through product innovation and marketing tactics.

"The potential for Zicam to help millions of people shorten their cold and enjoy life's most important moments is incredibly inspiring. I have an extremely passionate team, a renewed brand strategy and new ownership committed to our success," said Khan.

In a newly created role, Vice President of Customer Strategy and Insights, Craig Stoll will contribute to the company's mission of doubling the business by generating new areas of growth, enhancing value as a brand builder and elevating strategic importance through seamless execution. Craig joins the team with 30 years of experience in healthcare, and nearly 20 years of expertise in customer strategy. 

"This organization is filled with people who care about helping consumers in their journey to live their best life every day - even when they have a cold," said Stoll. "We have infinite room to grow as a business within our space."

When asked what retailers and consumers can expect next from the brand, Rovner noted: "Ultimately, our new vision will reveal itself in actions, not words. You will see us differently both in our relationships with our partners and in our marketplace presence."

About Matrixx Initiatives, Inc.
Matrixx Initiatives has been engaged in the development and marketing of better ways to feel better through over-the-counter health care products that utilize innovative drug delivery systems for over 20 years. Matrixx Initiatives manufactures and markets Zicam® brand homeopathic and allopathic OTC products, including its clinically proven ZICAM® Cold Remedy Nasal Spray and Swab, ZICAM® Cold Remedy RAPIDMELTS®, ZICAM® Cold Remedy Oral Mist™ and ZICAM® Cold Remedy Medicated Fruit Drops. Matrixx products also include ZICAM® Cold Remedy Relief for Kids, ZICAM® Allergy Relief Spray and Swab, ZICAM® Extreme Congestion Relief and ZICAM® Intense Sinus Relief.  For more information regarding Matrixx products, please visit www.zicam.com.

Kwittken for Zicam
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SOURCE Matrixx Initiatives, Inc.