Ne-Yo, Wendy Williams and Bill & Giuliana Rancic Partner with NIVEA to Celebrate National PDA Day

NEW YORK, June 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- 'Tis the season of hand-holding, hugging and kissing – and, of course, public displays of affection.  Studies show that Americans feel and show more love and affection for one another during the summer months.  So, timed to the start of Summer 2012, NIVEA has partnered with Grammy-Award winning recording artist Ne-Yo, television talk show host Wendy Williams and NIVEA Ambassadors Bill and Giuliana Rancic to expand the year-long NIVEA Million Moments of Touch movement and celebrate National PDA Day on June 20 – not coincidentally the first day of summer.

As part of the celebration, NIVEA will host a series of events in New York, Los Angeles and nine other cities across the country to encourage couples to get out in the open and show their affection for one another. For additional information about the PDA Day celebration, visit www.NationalPDADay.com.

"It's a fact that our fast-paced, 21st century living has affected our romantic relationships: we text more than we hug; we video chat more than we hold hands; we touch our phones more than we touch each other. NIVEA wants to change that," said Magnus Jonsson, Vice President of Marketing, NIVEA. "NIVEA understands the power of touch, which is why every product we develop keeps touch in mind. We're thrilled to partner with Ne-Yo, Wendy and Bill & Giuliana to help us amplify our Million Moments of Touch campaign and establish National PDA Day as a key date for couples everywhere."

Starting off in New York City, couples will be invited to Herald Square for a "coffee and a cuddle" themed "morning date," hosted by Williams.  The Rancic's will join Williams for fun PDA Day-themed games before the trio introduces an exclusive concert by music sensation Ne-Yo, who will be performing tracks from his new album R.E.D. — which stands for "Realizing Every Dream" – out this September.

To help spread the PDA Day message from coast-to-coast, the group will leave Herald Square after Ne-Yo's performance and fly immediately to Los Angeles, where Bill, Giuliana and Wendy will be on-hand at The Grove for another Ne-Yo concert and a romantic "table-for-two" PDA celebration.

"It is brilliant of NIVEA to celebrate National PDA Day," said Williams.  "It's a shame that we as a society have gotten so engrossed in electronics that we have forgotten common decency and the simplicities of life. The art of old-fashioned talking and touching is lost. Hopefully today will remind us how wonderful PDA is."

The Rancic's agree, "Between work, travel and preparing for our new baby – we're often challenged with getting out and having time for just us. But, we always try to make time to go on little dates at least once or twice a month – especially in the summer.  We love that NIVEA is helping couples everywhere rekindle and reconnect through PDA."

Additionally, in nine cities across the country, NIVEA will send its PDA Day Patrols to invite couples to celebrate PDA Day and experience fun outdoor promotions, NIVEA products and date night giveaways. Those cities include: Columbus, OH; Chicago, IL; Seattle WA; Austin, TX; Ft. Lauderdale, FL; Atlanta, GA; Phoenix, AZ; San Francisco, CA and Oklahoma City, OK.

A recent study conducted for NIVEA by Dr. Kory Floyd, Professor of Human Communications at Arizona State University, revealed that all relationships, especially romantic ones, greatly benefit from regular displays of affection. Nearly half (43%) of Americans polled said they are more likely to display PDA during the summer because more skin is showing. In addition, Americans go on more dates during the summer than any other season.

NIVEA has always understood and valued that power of touch and that is why NIVEA products help consumers be ready to touch and be touched – providing touchably-smooth skin and kissably-soft lips.  NIVEA is proud to lead the movement for a more affectionate society by celebrating National PDA Day, encouraging everyone to share a kiss, hug and hold hands out in the open and to set the tone for a summer of romance with a loved one.

About NIVEA

NIVEA is a leading manufacturer of consumer products for skin and beauty care. The NIVEA brand portfolio includes NIVEA, NIVEA Lip Care, NIVEA Body Wash and NIVEA For Men. For more information on NIVEA, visit our website www.NIVEAusa.com

About Beiersdorf AG

NIVEA is owned by Hamburg, Germany-based Beiersdorf AG, a leading manufacturer of branded consumer products for skin and beauty care, with over 125 years of experience in research and development, and a strong global presence. The company produces leading international brands such as NIVEA, Eucerin, la prairie, Juvena, Labello, 8x4, Futuro, Florena, Hansaplast/Elastoplast and Tesa. For more information, visit www.beiersdorfusa.com.

SOURCE Beiersdorf AG