The brand's best-known product became the 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioning formula, Pantene Pro-V (Pantene Pro-Vitamin). The product became most noted due to an advertising campaign in the 1989 in which fashion models said, "Don't hate me because I'm beautiful."[3][4]Kelly Le Brock and Iman gained notoriety as the first television spokeswomen to speak the line.[5] The line was criticized by feminists and became a pop-culture catchphrase for "annoying" narcissistic behavior.[6][7]
In 1990, Procter & Gamble Taiwan launched a new advertising campaign surrounding its new Pantene Pro-V formula, a combination of Pantene's vitamin formula and P&G's 2-in-1 technology. Pantene Pro-V was first introduced in Taiwan and a year later in the US and globally. Research results, compiled from markets around the world, led P&G to hypothesize that health positioning might provide the basis for a new worldwide hair care franchise. The research indicated that: Women believed the ideal standard for hair is "healthy". Women considered their own hair damaged. Women believed that shine signaled health. Pro-vitamin formulation provided real support for claims. Advertising was developed around a health positioning and customized at the local level with the tagline, "Hair So Healthy It Shines." The new product, Pantene Pro-V was introduced in newly designed cylindrical shaped bottles. There were four lead countries involved in Pantene's Pro-V launch. Each communicated a different piece of the strategy and execution elements, as follows
United States: a Television campaign was developed using an authoritative spokeswoman and showing the transformation of the model's hair;
Taiwan: dramatized the end-result - the shine (a very powerful end benefit in this part of the world);
France: dramatized the vitamin capsule ingredient story;
United Kingdom: demonstrated product efficacy via the hair root demonstration.
By 1994, following its launch in 55 countries, Pantene was the #1 hair care brand around the world with sales reaching over $1 billion. By 1996, it was still leading in 78 countries and by 1998, it was the leading shampoo in 90 countries.[8] Pantene was advertised as approved by Swiss Vitamin Institute.[9]
From June 2006 to December 2018, Pantene and the Entertainment Industry Foundation operated the Pantene Beautiful Lengths' charity campaign in the United States, which allowed individuals to donate hair for women who lost their own due to cancer treatment.
In 2021, during an advertising campaign, the brand featured a young trans girl with her parents, a lesbian couple.[20][21]
^DiNato, Jill (25 July 2010). "Don't Hate Me Because I'm Beautiful". The Huffington Post.
^Rakow, Lana (Winter 1992). "Don't hate me because I'm beautiful: Feminist resistance to advertising's irresistible meanings". Southern Communication Journal. 57 (2): 133–142. doi:10.1080/10417949209372859.
^Schutzman, Mady (April 1995). The Real Thing: Performance, Hysteria, and Advertising. Wesleyan. p. 165. ISBN978-0-8195-6370-5.
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