PR Web: GNC, the nation’s largest specialty retailer of health and wellness products, is proud to announce a partnership with Academy Award-nominated actor/producer Mark Wahlberg to develop, market and sell MARKED, a new nutritional supplement line designed to meet the demanding lifestyles of active, results-driven fitness consumers who want to get the most out of their workout and improve overall health.

“I’m excited to join forces with GNC, a brand I trust for quality and integrity, to develop the MARKED products,” said Mark Wahlberg. “I attribute much of my own success to my dedication to living healthy and fit, so it is important for me to create products that will help motivate others to pursue their own personal wellness goals.”

The MARKED line – consisting of seven sports and active nutrition products – was designed by leading GNC scientists and wellness experts in partnership with Wahlberg. The products are free of banned substances and are based on cutting edge nutritional science and the highest quality ingredients to deliver optimal performance and results.

“I have known Mark for several years and during that time period I have been impressed by Mark’s continued personal efforts in regards to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. GNC and Mark share a strong mutual passion for helping people improve their quality of life through proper exercise, diet and supplementation. I have seen Mark repetitively reinforce this message in his everyday life and could not be more pleased that together we are undertaking this initiative, as it is a perfect alignment with our customer base,” said Joe Fortunato, President and CEO. “This also represents a unique strategy for us as we introduce this comprehensive line of leading nutritional products that will be available through various channels of distribution in the U.S. and overseas.”

MARKED will launch in GNC stores and on GNC.com, and is expected to be widely available through other leading retailers. A portion of all sales are being donated to the Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation, whose mission is to improve the quality of life for inner city youth.

“Our new partnership with Mark Wahlberg is a natural fit given our shared commitment to ‘living well’,” said Tom Dowd, EVP, Chief Merchandising Officer and General Manager. “We are pleased that MARKED will also help contribute to a great resource for inner city youth and look forward to growing this brand with the combined marketing resources of GNC and Mark Wahlberg behind it.”

As part of this partnership, Wahlberg will serve as the leading brand ambassador and will drive the marketing approach for the MARKED product line. Wahlberg will also appear at GNC stores at various locations across the U.S. throughout 2012. More information about MARKED and further details on the MARKED launch, product line and availability will be available in the coming months.