Harbinger Group Inc. And Rayovac Increase Commitment To Starkey Hearing Foundation, So the World May Hear

MINNEAPOLIS, Aug. 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- In July 2011, Harbinger Group Inc., (NYSE: HRG) joined with long-time Starkey Hearing Foundation supporter Rayovac, and pledged to help further the Foundation's mission to bring understanding among people through hearing care by focusing on awareness, education, protection and treatment. Since then they have increased their support, and the companies are currently among Starkey Hearing Foundation's most committed partners.

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Rayovac served as the Event Sponsor for Starkey Hearing Foundation's 12th annual So the World May Hear Awards Gala, which took place on Saturday, August 4, 2012, and raised a record-breaking $7.6 million. The funds raised will allow Starkey Hearing Foundation to continue its work in promoting hearing health and awareness, including holding domestic and international hearing missions over the coming year, and furthering its Listen Carefully program to promote safe listening among young people.

"Alone we can't do much. Together we can change the world," said Bill Austin, founder, Starkey Hearing Foundation. "We are only as good as our partners, and Harbinger Group and Rayovac have been so instrumental in our efforts. With their support, we are able to reflect sharing and caring into thousands of lives around the world each year through the gift of hearing."

In addition to being the Event Sponsor for the 2012 Awards Gala and sponsoring hearing missions throughout the year, Rayovac, a division of Spectrum Brands, is the Foundation's World Partner for hearing aid batteries. The Foundation distributes more than 100,000 hearing aids each year through its domestic and international hearing missions, and as part of their model for success, a generous supply of Rayovac batteries is provided to each recipient to ensure long-term impact in restoring their hearing.

Harbinger Group Inc., the majority owner of Spectrum Brands, and Rayovac look forward to growing their partnership with Starkey Hearing Foundation for years to come.

Omar Asali, President of Harbinger Group Inc., noted, "Last year, Dave Lumley and his team at Rayovac introduced us to Bill and Tani Austin and the incredible work that the Starkey Hearing Foundation is doing to bring the gift of hearing to so many in need around the world." According to Mr. Asali, "Bill's vision is so compelling and the impact that he and his team makes on peoples' lives is so profound and moving, that we knew we had to do even more this year to support their efforts. Harbinger Group Inc., in conjunction with the Rayovac division of Spectrum Brands, is very honored to play a small role in supporting the Starkey Hearing Foundation and their quest to change the world, one person at a time."

About Harbinger Group Inc.
Harbinger Group Inc. ("HGI";NYSE: HRG) is a diversified holding company. HGI's principal operations are conducted through subsidiaries that offer life insurance and annuity products, and branded consumer products such as batteries, personal care products, small household appliances, pet supplies, and home and garden pest control products. HGI is principally focused on acquiring controlling and other equity stakes in businesses across a diversified range of industries and growing its existing businesses. In addition to HGI's intention to acquire controlling equity interests, HGI may also from time to time make investments in debt instruments and acquire minority equity interests in companies. Harbinger Group Inc. is headquartered in New York and traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol HRG. For more information on HGI, visit: www.harbingergroupinc.com.

About Rayovac
Rayovac is a trusted brand of Spectrum Brands Holdings, Inc., a top manufacturer of consumer batteries in the United States and Latin America. Spectrum Brands Holdings, Inc. is a global consumer products company and a leading supplier of batteries, shaving and grooming products, personal care products, small household appliances, specialty pet supplies, lawn & garden and home pest control products, personal insect repellents and portable lighting. Helping to meet the needs of consumers worldwide, included in its portfolio of widely trusted brands are Rayovac®, Remington®, Varta®, George Forman®, Black&Decker Home®, Toastmaster®, Tetra®, Marineland®, Nature's Miracle®, Dingo®, 8-in-1®, Littermaid®, Spectracide®, Cutter®, Repel®, and HotShot®. Spectrum Brands' products are sold by the world's top 25 retailers and are available in more than one millions stores in more than 120 countries around the world. Spectrum Brands' businesses generate annual revenue from continuing operations in excess of $3 billion. For more information, visit www.rayovac.com.

About Starkey Hearing Foundation
Starkey Hearing Foundation is bringing understanding among individuals and communities through hearing care by focusing on awareness, education, protection and treatment – so the world may hear. Hearing loss affects one in 10 Americans, and 63 million children worldwide, yet many do not have access to the hearing devices that can help them. Starkey Hearing Foundation fits and gives more than 100,000 hearing aids annually, and as a member of President Clinton's Global Initiative, it has pledged to fit 1 million hearing aids this decade. In addition to giving the gift of hearing through worldwide hearing missions, Starkey Hearing Foundation promotes hearing health awareness and education through the Listen Carefully initiative and provides hearing instruments to low-income Americans through the Hear Now program. For more information on Starkey Hearing Foundation, visit www.starkeyhearingfoundation.org.

SOURCE Starkey Hearing Foundation