MARKED(TM) Performance Nutrition Line Developed by Mark Wahlberg Now Available at GNC

PITTSBURGH, Aug. 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- GNC Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: GNC), the nation's largest specialty retailer of health, wellness and sports nutrition products, today announced the nationwide availability of MARKED™, a new comprehensive line of performance nutrition products developed by leading GNC scientists and wellness experts in partnership with Mark Wahlberg. The MARKED line – consisting of seven sports and active nutrition products – provides the ultimate performance nutrition for anyone who wants to achieve their health and fitness goals.

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"Much of my success can be attributed to my dedication and hard work. I push myself to be the best that I can, from acting to staying in peak physical shape. I'm committed to living a healthy and productive life and helping the people around me do the same," said Mark Wahlberg. "That's why I teamed up with GNC, a brand I trust for quality and integrity, to develop MARKED – and, I'm proud the line will contribute to my foundation that supports inner city youth."

MARKED is now available in GNC stores and GNC.com, and is expected to be widely available through other leading retailers in the U.S. and abroad this year. A portion of all sales of MARKED products will benefit the Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation, whose mission is to improve the quality of life for inner city youth.

"GNC and Mark share a strong mutual passion for helping people improve their quality of life through proper exercise, diet and supplementation.  I have seen Mark repetitively reinforce this message in his everyday life and could not be more pleased that we are undertaking this initiative together," said Joe Fortunato, President and CEO.

Every MARKED product has been rigorously tested for banned substances by HFL Sports Science, a world-class sports anti-doping lab, and based on cutting edge nutritional science using only the highest quality ingredients. Each product also features Mark Wahlberg's exclusive Supplementation and Nutrition Plan for improving strength, lean mass and workout performance to maximize muscle size and definition. The products can be taken individually or stacked and are designed to deliver optimal results:

• Maximum Nutrition Daily Pack: Daily multivitamin pack features four compounds to help support optimal body health.  
• Blast & Burn Pack: Four-part muscle-sculpting, metabolism-boosting program helps achieve desired physique.  
• Pre-Workout Igniter: Formula delivers fast-absorbing muscle fuel and energy for a better workout.
• Mass Gainer: Provides a physique-building nutritional platform for adding lean muscle mass.
• 100% Whey Protein Complex:  An ideal foundation for optimal athletic performance.
• Protein Shake & Bar: Performance shakes and bars with protein and fiber to stay fuller longer.

"We are very proud of our partnership with Mark and look forward to growing this brand to help others who aspire to live a healthy lifestyle," said Tom Dowd, EVP, Chief Merchandising Officer and General Manager. "In celebration of the launch of MARKED, GNC is deploying street teams in New York City to present exclusive product offers and help inspire consumers to 'Get MARKED' today."

Wahlberg will serve as the leading brand ambassador and will drive the marketing approach for the MARKED product line.  As part of this role, on September 20^th Wahlberg will participate in a live webcast to discuss the MARKED line and answer questions. Details about how to join will be available at www.MarkedNutrition.com in September. For more information about the MARKED line, including additional training tips, visit www.MarkedNutrition.com, or GNC.com. Connect with MARKED on Facebook: Facebook.com/MarkedNutrition and follow MARKED on Twitter: @MarkedNutrition

About the Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation
Mark Wahlberg and his family established the Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation on the belief that no child should be prevented from living up to his or her potential due to financial hardship.  The Foundation works to improve the quality of life for teens living in urban communities and distributes funds to support local youth service and enrichment programs nationwide. A life-long member and advocate of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Mark comes from a family of nine children with limited means and spent most of his afternoons and evenings at his local club.  He credits a large part of his success to the fact that he was fortunate to spend his free time in a positive and nurturing environment.  Visit www.markwahlbergyouthfoundation.com.

About GNC
GNC Holdings, Inc., headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA, is a leading global specialty retailer of health and wellness products, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal supplement products, sports nutrition products and diet products, and trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "GNC."

As of June 30, 2012, GNC has more than 7,800 locations, of which more than 6,000 retail locations are in the United States (including 933 franchise and 2,157 Rite Aid franchise store-within-a-store locations) and franchise operations in 55 countries (including distribution centers where retail sales are made).  The Company – which is dedicated to helping consumers Live Well – has a diversified, multi-channel business model and derives revenue from product sales through company-owned retail stores, domestic and international franchise activities, third party contract manufacturing, e-commerce and corporate partnerships.  GNC's broad and deep product mix, which is focused on high-margin, premium, value-added nutritional products, is sold under GNC proprietary brands, including Mega Men®, Ultra Mega®, GNC Total Lean, Pro Performance®, Pro Performance® AMP, Beyond Raw®, and under nationally recognized third party brands.

For more than 75 years, GNC has been committed to bringing people superior GNC brand products using only the highest quality ingredients, manufactured under the strictest quality controls. Managing every stage of the process - from formulation to retailing - allows GNC to guarantee quality, purity and potency of GNC products.

Web: GNC.com l Twitter: @GNCLiveWell l Facebook: facebook.com/GNCLiveWell

Media Contact:
Diana Torres-Bixby
[email protected] 
212-819-4895

SOURCE GNC Holdings, Inc