Johnson & Johnson to tackle might of Head & Shoulders

Johnson & Johnson (J&J) is launching a Neutrogena Anti-Dandruff sub-brand in an effort to tackle Procter & Gamble’s (P&G) market-leading Head & Shoulders shampoo head-on.

Johnson & Johnson (J&J) is launching a Neutrogena Anti-Dandruff sub-brand in an effort to tackle Procter & Gamble’s (P&G) market-leading Head & Shoulders shampoo head-on.

The range is to be rolled out in January 2004, supported by a multi-million-pound television campaign. BMP DDB is the creative agency for J&J’s toiletries ranges and will create the TV advertising, while media will be handled by Initiative.

Recent advertising for Head & Shoulders has stressed the brand’s credentials as a mainstream shampoo, with no mention of the range’s benefits as an anti-dandruff shampoo.

In response, industry sources say that J&J wants to create a consumer-friendly dandruff range to match Head & Shoulders’ shift towards the mass market. The company already sells the T-Gel Shampoo range, which is marketed as a medical treatment for itchy and flaking scalps.

An industry insider says: “J&J wants to create a specific sub-brand that customers will see as being good for both the beauty and health of their hair. It is an area that Head & Shoulders owns at the moment, so it could be quite tough.”

The Neutrogena launch will be overseen by J&J marketing director Andre Baradat, who has assumed all marketing responsibilities at the company after baby care marketing range chief Carole Stevens took maternity leave.