Edge and UFC Partner to Give Up-and-Coming Fighters an Edge in the Octagon

SHELTON, Conn., July 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the makers of Edge® Shave Gel and the Ultimate Fighting Championship® (UFC®) announced  "Team Edge 2012," year two of a commitment to identify rising stars in the sport and provide the chance for one of them to become an official spokesman for Edge. With the mentorship and coaching of UFC Champion Dominick Cruz, four UFC fighters on the rise will compete for the public's support to propel them into the spotlight as the next face of "Team Edge." Last year, Edge helped Team Edge winner Chad Mendes go from underdog to top contender in the UFC. This year, Edge is again looking to give guys the tools they need to rule the Octagon®.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120709/NY36084 )

This year's collection of the UFC's most promising up-and-comers will be mentored by Cruz as they prepare to achieve their dreams of becoming dominant UFC forces. Competing for a year-long Edge sponsorship, the following fighters will go head to head for the lead in the "Team Edge" contest:

1. Rory MacDonald – One of the UFC's youngest fighters, MacDonald (13-1) has finished six opponents via submission and another five via TKO/KO
2. Chris Weidman – A top middleweight prospect, Weidman is a two-time Division 1, All-American Wrestler with 100 percent total takedowns avoided
3. John Dodson – Known for his speed, Dodson is the first Bantamweight winner of The Ultimate Fighter® competition
4. Joseph Benavidez –  Red hot favorite to become the historic first ever UFC Flyweight champion after knocking out Yasuhiro Urushitani earlier this year

"No matter who you are in this sport, you know what it's like to crave success and that you need an edge to make it to the top," said Dominick Cruz. "I was once an up-and-comer just like these guys, and now can proudly call myself a UFC Champion. That's why I'm so excited to work with 'Team Edge' and help these four great athletes become the next UFC stars.  I encourage all UFC fans to go online and vote for the fighter they want to see rise to the top."

UFC fans can vote at www.edgeshave.com/UFC to determine who should be the next face of "Team Edge." The fighter with the most votes will be sponsored by Edge and gain a shot at UFC stardom.  Fans can vote up to five times a day, and each time they vote they will be entered to win a weekly prize pack or a trip to an upcoming Las Vegas event for a live UFC showdown. Weekly prizes include Team Edge memorabilia, UFC merchandise and more.

Edge Endows Guys with the Tools They Need to Get Their Edge in Life

Edge has cemented itself as the resource to help men "get their edge," preparing guys for the day ahead, and  ensuring they are ready to tackle whatever their day has in store. In March 2012, Edge launched the "Edge Men" campaign to endow men with the resources they need to accomplish their greatest ambitions. With "Edge Fund Manager" Jason Jones at the helm, Edge identifies men via social media who need to become more "well-endowed" in order to reach their goals. Winning entrants receive "Edge Endowments," cash microgrants that help guys accomplish their ambitions. The Team Edge 2012 campaign is the latest example of how Edge is endowing men with the tools they need to make it to the next level.

"The Edge Men campaign aims to endow guys who are striving for success with the tools and experiences they need to get ahead," said Jeffrey C. Wolf, senior brand manager for Edge. "Our continued partnership with the UFC and the launch of 'Team Edge' 2012 is a continuation of this promise, helping these up-and-coming champions achieve their greatest ambitions and achieve domination in their sport."

The "Edge Men" campaign will continue throughout summer 2012 with a social media activation that invites followers of @EdgeShaveZone Twitter, using hashtag #WellEndowed, to be considered for an Edge Endowment. They can also check out the Edge Facebook page at Facebook.com/EdgeShaveZone for more information.

Exclusive Access Beyond the Octagon

The Edge and UFC partnership will extend to various retail outlets, including signage on Edge packaging and in-store promotions, as well as at multiple events throughout the span of the partnership, via customized vignettes, logo placement, program placement and more.

For more information on the "Team Edge" campaign, visit www.edgeshave.com or join the conversation on Twitter with @EdgeShaveZone.

About Edge

Edge Shave Gel is committed to making sure men get an edge in all areas of their lives, from avoiding nicks, dryness, redness and irritation in their morning shave to reaching the Edge of Greatness. With six unique formulations specially designed for every shaving need, Edge offers customizable comfort for all skin types.  Edge Shave Gel varieties are available at mass, drug, retail and food outlets nationwide for about $2.79.  Visit www.EdgeShave.com for more information.

About Energizer Holdings, Inc.

Energizer Holdings, Inc., headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, is a consumer goods company operating globally in the broad categories of household and personal care products. Energizer's Household Products Division offers consumers the broadest range of portable power solutions, anchored by our universally recognized Energizer® and Eveready® brands. Energizer's Personal Care Division offers a diversified range of consumer products in the wet shave, skin care, feminine care and infant care categories. Our portfolio includes well established brand names such as Schick® and Wilkinson Sword® men's and women's shaving systems and disposables; Edge® and Skintimate® shave preparations; Playtex® tampons, gloves and infant feeding products; Banana Boat® and Hawaiian Tropic® sun care products and Wet Ones® moist wipes.

About Ultimate Fighting Championship®

Universally recognized for its action-packed, can't-miss events that have sold out some of the biggest arenas and stadiums across the globe, the UFC® is the world's premier mixed martial arts (MMA) organization. Owned and operated by Zuffa, LLC, headquartered in Las Vegas and with offices in London, Toronto and Beijing, UFC produces more than 30 live events annually and is the largest Pay-Per-View event provider in the world. In 2011, the UFC burst into the mainstream with a landmark seven-year broadcast agreement with FOX Sports Media Group. The agreement includes four live events broadcast on the FOX network annually, with additional fight cards and thousands of hours of programming broadcast on FOX properties FX and FUEL TV. This also includes the longest-running sports reality show on television, The Ultimate Fighter®, which now airs on FX Canada and Sportsnet in an exciting new live format.

In addition to its reach on FOX, UFC programming is broadcast in over 149 countries and territories, to nearly one billion homes worldwide, in 20 different languages. UFC content is also distributed commercially in the United States to bars and restaurants through Joe Hand Promotions, in English throughout Canada via Premium Sports Broadcasting Inc. and in French throughout Quebec via Interbox. The UFC also connects with tens of millions of fans through its website, UFC.com, as well as social media sites Facebook and Twitter. UFC President Dana White is considered one of the most accessible and followed executives in sports, with over two million followers on Twitter. Ancillary UFC businesses include best-selling DVDs, an internationally distributed magazine, UFC.TV offering live event broadcasts and video on demand around the world, the best-selling UFC Undisputed® video game franchise distributed by THQ, UFC GYM®, UFC Fight Club affinity program, UFC Fan Expo® festivals, branded apparel and trading cards.

Media Contacts:
Edelman Public Relations, for Edge Shave Gel
Amy Aubin, 212.299.8993, [email protected]

SOURCE Edge Shave Gel