January 16, 2004

Tune In Tomorrow....To Learn About Romance!

-- To the average viewer, every day is like Valentine's Day in the world of soap operas. For as long as "continuing stories" have been told during TV's daytime hours, romantic plotlines have been the lifeblood. What can the viewer at home do in the weeks leading up to Valentine's Day to bring a little more soap-inspired romance into the reality of work- and family-related stress?

And it's not just lines of dialogue that can be copied at home. "We get tons of mail from soap fans who simply have to know where to buy a particular article of clothing that was worn by a star, or a set of candlesticks that was used during a romantic dinner scene," Mazzurco says.

One star from "The Young & the Restless" who literally has fallen in love dozens of times in front of her loyal audience of fans is Lauralee Bell. Bell's character, Assistant District Attorney Christine Williams, began on the series 17 years ago as a junior fashion model, "Cricket" Blair Romalotti, and grew into the confident and passionate woman now known as Christine.

"Fans always ask me how they can learn to bring some of the soap opera magic into their own love lives," says Bell. "Our plotlines always show how important communication is in a good relationship. But treating each other with special gifts and treats is a classic soap technique to spark a passionate embrace."

Fashion-loving Bell, who now owns a Hollywood-based clothing store called On Beverly Blvd., thinks any kind of wearable gift works wonders. "Jewelry is a very romantic gift and diamonds - a girl's best friend - are a real symbol of love and commitment...I've recently been wearing the 'Leo Diamond' that just is amazingly sparkly...dazzling...and you can buy it right at the mall at Kay Jewelers."

The Leo Diamond has a unique patented cut that allows more light to be returned through the top of the stone, resulting in a more dazzling, brilliant display. "Nothing is more exciting than opening up a gift box and finding a sparkling piece of jewelry. The Leo Diamond makes an ideal romantic gift because its unbeatable fire, sparkle and brilliance is a wonderful reminder of the love in your life," says George Murray, Senior Vice President of Marketing, Kay Jewelers.

Soap wardrobers love to use diamonds in romantic scenes, along with satiny lingerie and evening wear. "They tell us they like it when the two principals in a romantic scenes are glowing...so the more brilliant and sparkling, the better," Bell declares.

Some other tips from Lauralee Bell on bringing romance into a relationship:

With a busy career and two small kids, she knows it's hard to find time to really devote to her husband and their romantic relationship. One thing they like to do is set aside one night every week for each other, and plan a "date night." Whether it's renting a movie, cooking dinner together or going for a walk, they've found "date night" to be a great way to keep the sparkle and brilliance alive in their relationship.

Another great way to build upon a relationship is to celebrate each other. Sending a card or just dropping an unexpected phone call to congratulate your partner on meeting a goal or just to say "I love you" will go a long way. Lauralee and her husband also like to give each other gifts throughout the year to help preserve the rituals and magic of their dating years, and a great romantic gift, is jewelry.

Steal ideas from your favorite soap such as setting up a romantic scene, like candles and flowers in the bedroom and around the bathtub. Finally, it's important to always take time to pamper yourself. Having "me time" is so critical to maintaining the passion and excitement in a relationship. Allow time for rejuvenation as well as appreciation for your partner. Bell also says fans ask her about the kissing: "They say, how can I get my husband or boyfriend to kiss me like they do on your show?" Bell confesses that each embrace is actually choreographed and not particularly intimate since there are 10 to 20 technicians on the set. "So that shows you what good actors we have in daytime TV," says Bell.

But sometimes all that kissing and embracing leads to real life romance for the stars. Editor Mazzurco says, "We've had a few actors admit that their co-stars are great kissers....and it must be true considering how many co-stars have fallen in love and gotten married in their off-set lives, such as Lesli Kay (Molly Peterson Conlan McKinnon) and Keith Coulouris (David Allen Stenbeck) on 'As the World Turns' and Kelly Ripa (Hayley Vaughan) and Mark Consuelos (Mateo Santos) on 'All My Children'."

With all of the romance in the air and on the set, people may be looking for ways to bring that into their own lives. You can find great Valentine's Day gift ideas, including the Leo Diamond, at the nearest Kay Jewelers or by visiting www.kay.com. The Leo Diamond is the first diamond to be independently certified for superior fire, sparkle and brilliance. For more information about the Leo Diamond, visit www.kay.com or www.theleodiamond.com.

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Produced for Kay Jewelers

Contact:

Lisa Wade 310.226.3045 lisa_wade@lax.bm.com

January 2004 (Newstream)

Julia Stiles' Surprising Wedding Dreams

The Down-To-Earth Star Reveals Her Future Nuptial Desires, "I'd Love A Big Wedding - If Someone Else Planned It!," And Previews Her "Prince And Me" Character's Royal Romance In BRIDE'S Biggest Issue of 2004 January 2004 (Newstream) -- Julia Stiles fantasizes about her own (eventual) wedding in the March/April 2004 issue of BRIDE'S, becoming the first established movie star to grace the cover of the world's #1 bridal magazine.

"Julia has a fresh face and an approachable image that our readers relate to," says Bratten. "And while playing her latest role, she got completely swept up in an exciting whirlwind of wedding planning - just like our readers experience in their own lives."

The serious actress and Columbia University student was thrown for a loop by the fairy tale proposal her character in the upcoming film "The Prince and Me" receives from actor Luke Mably, playing the Prince of Denmark. "When I first looked at the script, the proposal scene didn't jump out at me at all. But when we actually shot it, I couldn't control my breathing. He hands me this diamond ring that has three gigantic rocks on it. I was literally hyperventilating."

Julia tells BRIDE'S about her unexpected reaction to portraying a royal fiancée. "I've always fancied myself as an independent woman, and thought more about my career than getting married. But all of a sudden I've gotten into this whole Cinderella fantasy. I had bodyguards for my diamonds!"

In real life, however, the 22-year-old Julia's own wedding isn't in the immediate future. "The idea of getting married to the man I love and making a family is precious and wonderful and a beautiful thing to me," she says, "but I'm so not into the idea of frivolously getting married that it will probably be awhile before I do that." She adds, "I couldn't imagine marrying someone whose mother didn't think I was worthy of her son," an allusion to her on-screen mother-in-law, the Queen of Denmark, played by Miranda Richardson.

However, she does give BRIDE'S a glimpse into her future self as bride-to-be. "I'd love a big wedding - if someone else planned it. If I could just say to someone, 'This is the dress I want to wear and this is where I want to have it and these are the people I want to invite, now you go take care of everything,' then I'd love to have a big wedding."

Julia Stile's cover dress - a $3,200 wedding gown from Ulla-Maija Couture, is one of the 2,500 prizes available for readers to win throughout the 840 page issue. The March/April 2004 issue of BRIDE'S Magazine hits newsstands on January 20th. For more information, log on to www.brides.com.

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Produced for Bride's Magazine

Contact:

Lauren Theodore, 212-286-8157, lauren_theodore@cnbridal.com

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The New Makeover Series... How Do I Look with Finola Hughes

It seems style is on everyone's mind. A hot trend from last year that is still making its way into this year... is being made over. Make over reality TV shows rule the ratings. And now, all us "Average Joes" are finding it's easier than we think to look good. Trendsetter star of The Style Network's new makeover series, How Do I Look, Finola Hughes, says taking a risk is a good idea.

Hughes also says when it comes to new years do's and don'ts, a messy updo will do the trick.

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Produced for Crest Night Effects

Contact:

Shannon McCabe, 212-891-0400

January 2004 (Newstream) --

Men Confirms MACH3Turbo's Superiority

MACH3Turbo Beats Schick Quattro by a 2-to-1 Margin January 2004 (Newstream) -- The Gillette Company on January 15 released the results of an independent, full-scale consumer use test of its Gillette MACH3Turbo shaving system against the Schick Quattro shaving system.

Testing among hundreds of men clearly established MACH3Turbo's superiority. MACH3Turbo scored a significant overall preference win over Schick Quattro of 60 percent to 31 percent, a margin of 2-to-1. Among men who use a MACH3 or MACH3Turbo razor, the results were even more impressive, with MACH3Turbo scoring a preference win of 66 percent to 25 percent.

"The results of this consumer use test prove that shaving performance is not determined solely by the number of blades, but rather by the combination of all the advanced technologies built into a shaving system," said Peter K. Hoffman, president, Blades and Razors, The Gillette Company.

Consumer use tests provide an independent, unbiased analysis that compares product performance. These tests are conducted according to the industry's most rigorous standards. They have been upheld in U.S. Federal Courts and at the National Advertising Division of the Better Business Bureaus, Inc., as an appropriate and reliable method for determining the performance of shaving products. The MACH3Turbo vs. Schick Quattro test was conducted among a nationally representative sample of more than 400 men.

The MACH3 franchise is the shaving category's most successful brand. Since MACH3's launch in 1998, the franchise has generated more than $9 billion in worldwide consumer sales. In 2003 alone, MACH3 and MACH3Turbo systems generated worldwide consumer sales of more than $2.5 billion. In North America, the MACH3 franchise blade share grew by two points to nearly 34 percent of blade category dollars in 2003. MACH3Turbo, which was launched last year in Europe, has grown MACH3's European value share to 37 percent, up nearly 5 points in 2003. Today, MACH3Turbo is the number one razor in North America and in Europe.

Headquartered in Boston, Mass., The Gillette Company is the world leader in male grooming, a category that includes blades, razors and shaving preparations. Gillette also holds the number one position worldwide in selected female grooming products, such as wet shaving products and hair epilation devices. In addition, the company is the world leader in alkaline batteries, and manual and power toothbrushes.

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Produced for Gillette

Contact:

Gillette Michèle Szynal, 617-421-7086

Porter Novelli
Jonathan Kreissman, 212-601-8165
Jennifer Elias, 212-601-8065

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