Kiss My Face Positions Company For Rapid Growth

GARDINER, N.Y., Nov. 15, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Kiss My Face is excited to announce that industry experts, Lisa Yarnell, Ron Gordon and financial partner Caltius Equity Partners have partnered with the leading natural personal care products company to position the nearly 30 year-old innovator to take advantage of the rapid natural products industry growth.  This partnership, coupled with a new infusion of resources, will enable Kiss My Face to fuel the growth of the brand throughout various market channels, including natural retailers, mass merchants, and specialty stores across the United States and internationally.

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"National independent market research showed Kiss My Face to have the third highest brand awareness among all women inclined to try a natural product and the second highest unaided recognition among women aged 24 years or younger shopping in natural and conventional retailers," says Yarnell, who will serve as the Chief Executive Officer.

An important area of focus for the new partnership will include building on the recent acclaimed launch of Kiss My Face's Peace Soap – a multi-purpose pure, 100% natural castile soap – and its unique partnership with Seeds of Peace, an organization that aims to develop relationships and leadership skills among young people from regions of conflict.  Kiss My Face will continue to support Seeds of Peace by donating 10% of all profits from Peace Soap to the organization.  Peace Soap will be available in the next quarter with leading retailers including Whole Foods, Target, Fred Meyer, Publix, Loblaw's, Wegmens and others that carry natural body care products.

New investment partner Yarnell will join founders Bob MacLeod and Steve Byckiewicz to help grow the company as well as the natural body care category.  Ms. Yarnell comes to Kiss My Face with significant expertise in growing consumer packaged goods companies including Jane & Company, Coty Inc., Colgate-Palmolive and L'Oreal.  Ron Gordon has joined the company's board of directors and is the retired Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Beiersdorf North America, past President and Chief Operating Officer of Nice-Pak Products, Inc., and prior to that, Mr. Gordon was the President of Goody Products Inc.

"We are thrilled to partner with Lisa, Ron and Caltius to heighten our success as a leader in the natural and organic industry," state Bob MacLeod and Steve Byckiewicz.  "We look forward to this new venture ahead."

Lazard served as financial advisor and Herb Henryson as legal counsel to Kiss My Face Corp. in this transaction.

About Kiss My Face

Kiss My Face, a natural beauty and personal care products company, is a pioneer in the natural and organic industry.  The brainchild of Bob MacLeod and Steve Byckiewicz, two long-time vegetarians searching for healthy body care alternatives, Kiss My Face was founded in 1981 on a 200-acre organic farm in New York's beautiful Hudson River Valley and has been operating out of a converted barn and feed store ever since.  From moisturizers to liquid soaps, shave creams to oral care, Kiss My Face has a natural, cruelty-free product for you.

About Seeds of Peace

Seeds of Peace's internationally recognized program begins at its summer camp in Maine and continues with related programs in regions around the world with innovative initiatives such as conferences, regional workshops, educational and professional opportunities, and an adult educators program. This comprehensive model allows participants to develop empathy, respect, and confidence as well as leadership, communication and negotiation skills – all critical ingredients to facilitate peaceful co-existence for the next generation.

About Caltius Equity Partners

Based in Los Angeles, Caltius Equity Partners has been making control and substantial minority equity investments since 1999. Caltius Equity Partners invests in consumer and business services, education, healthcare, light manufacturing and consumer product industries.  For more information, please visit www.caltiusequity.com.

For more information, please contact a representative of Kiss My Face at 845.360.2055 or visit www.kissmyface.com/peace.

SOURCE Kiss My Face