Unilever confirms Alberto Culver shareholder approval to acquire company for $3.7 billion

Separately, Unilever confirmed that it has received a second request for information from the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) in the regulatory review process. Unilever will continue to work cooperatively with the DOJ in connection with its review. The transaction remains subject to regulatory reviews in other countries and is expected to be completed in due course.

The proposed acquisition includes brands such as TRESemmé, Alberto VO5, Nexxus, St. Ives and Simple. These will complement Unilever’s existing portfolio of iconic brands such as Dove, Clear and Sunsilk in hair care and Pond’s and Vaseline in skin care.

-Ends-

Media Contacts:

EnglewoodCliffs, NJ (USA): Anita Larsen +1 201 894 7760

London: Paul Matthews +44 1372 945 925

Rotterdam: Flip Dötsch +31 (0) 10 2174844

About Alberto Culver Company

Alberto Culver Company manufactures, distributes and markets leading beauty care and other personal care brands including TRESemmé, Alberto VO5, Nexxus, St. Ives, Simple and Noxzema in the United States and internationally. It is also the second largest producer in the U.S. of products for the ethnic hair care market with leading brands including Motions and Soft & Beautiful. For more information visit: www.alberto.com

Safe Harbour

This announcement may contain forward-looking statements, including ‘forward-looking statements’ within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as ‘expects’, ‘anticipates’, ‘intends’, ‘believes’ or the negative of these terms and other similar expressions of future performance or results, and their negatives, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon current expectations and assumptions regarding anticipated developments and other factors affecting the Group. They are not historical facts, nor are they guarantees of future performance. Because these forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, there are important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements, including, among others, competitive pricing and activities, economic slowdown, industry consolidation, access to credit markets, recruitment levels, reputational risks, commodity prices, continued availability of raw materials, prioritisation of projects, consumption levels, costs, the ability to maintain and manage key customer relationships and supply chain sources, consumer demands, currency values, interest rates, the ability to integrate acquisitions and complete planned divestitures, the ability to complete planned restructuring activities, physical risks, environmental risks, the ability to manage regulatory, tax and legal matters and resolve pending matters within current estimates, legislative, fiscal and regulatory developments, political, economic and social conditions in the geographic markets where the Group operates and new or changed priorities of the Boards. Further details of potential risks and uncertainties affecting the Group are described in the Group’s filings with the London Stock Exchange, Euronext Amsterdam and the US Securities and Exchange Commission, including the 20-F Report and the Annual Report and Accounts 2009. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this document. Except as required by any applicable law or regulation, the Group expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the Group’s expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.