Vianda Responds to Controversial CNBC-TV Documentary 'American Greed'

FOREST PARK, Ohio, April 22 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of their ongoing documentary series "American Greed," CNBC Television first highlighted the controversial history of Berkeley Premium Nutraceuticals on its Wednesday, April 14, 2010 episode. At the end of the documentary, narrator Stacy Keach briefly mentions Vianda, the current owners of "Enzyte" and other former Berkeley products.

In response to "American Greed," Vianda wants to assure its customers and the general public of the following:

• Following Berkeley's bankruptcy in late 2008, Pristine Bay, a Cincinnati-based investment company, purchased the former Berkeley Nutraceutical's assets, inventory, accounts receivable, and brand names, including "Enzyte." Pristine Bay currently operates this new nutraceutical/herbal supplement company under the name Vianda.
• Vianda has not, and does not engage in the controversial marketing and billing practices of the former Berkeley Premium Nutraceuticals, which were highlighted in the CNBC documentary.
• Berkeley Premium Nutraceuticals founder Steven Warshak and his former staff of senior managers has never been involved with Vianda, or their popular product "Enzyte", in any way.

"It is extremely unfortunate that CNBC made a connection between Berkeley and Vianda," says Vianda President Chuck Kubicki. "Vianda's new management and staff are 100% committed to serving its customers in an honest and straightforward way, with natural products to compliment healthy lifestyle goals. Unlike Berkeley, or many of our competitors, Vianda does not engage in the practice of 'negative option' marketing, or confusing billing practices."

"Our employees deserve better than to be associated with the crimes of Berkeley," says Kubicki. "Fairly represented, Vianda would have been described as an organization that is proud of our leadership in fair marketing practices and our commitment to total customer satisfaction."

As the "American Greed" documentary pointed out, the "Smiling Bob" character remains a part of "Enzyte's" television advertising. However, Vianda in no way uses "Smiling Bob" to make false claims about Enzyte in its advertising as Berkeley did.

"Smiling Bob is an advertising icon, and has been a key part of the Enzyte brand for over ten years. However, all of the television spots go through a rigorous compliance process, to make sure they comply with all regulatory requirements," says Robert Riggsbee, President of Inside Media, Vianda's advertising agency.

For reference, the Berkeley episode of "American Greed" continues to air on CNBC, and focuses on the controversial and unethical history of Berkeley Premium Nutraceuticals, and then-owner Steven Warshak. Berkeley Premium Nutraceuticals filed for bankruptcy on September 16th, 2008. Berkeley founder and President Steven Warshak was sentenced in 2008 to 25 years in prison.

As a diverse global company with a local presence, Vianda, is a provider of over 15 herbal supplements including the natural male enhancement brand Enzyte. The company is headquartered and located in Forest Park, Ohio. The privately-owned company will continue supporting its premium, natural supplements with national direct response advertising campaigns, and hopes to introduce new products into a growing list of respected retail outlets.

To learn more about Vianda and its complete line of brands, please visit our website at www.viandalife.com.

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS REGARDING VIANDA

1. Was the CNBC documentary "American Greed" inaccurate in its portrayal of Berkeley Premium Nutraceuticals, and its business practices?
2. With Chuck Kubicki's background in commercial real estate development, why would he purchase a nutraceutical company like Berkeley, with a questionable past?
3. What is "negative option continuity," and how is it bad for consumers?
4. Without a negative continuity program, how is Vianda selling its products to customers?
5. How is Vianda different from other companies selling similar nutraceutical products?
6. The "American Greed" documentary interviewed former customers who claimed that your male enhancement pill Enzyte did not work. Do Vianda products, including Enzyte, work as advertised?
7. How has the "American Greed" documentary affected Vianda's call center and overall business, or did it have any impact at all?

This press release was issued through 24-7PressRelease.com.  For further information, visit http://www.24-7pressrelease.com.

SOURCE Vianda