BC Powder
Encyclopedia
BC Powder is an over-the-counter
analgesic
pain reliever owned by GlaxoSmithKline
Pharmaceuticals and manufactured in Memphis, TN. It was conceived at the Five Points Drug Company in Durham, NC, in 1906, by Germain Bernard and C.T. Council, who took the initials of their last names to create the name of the nascent product. Originally produced at the Hepolscheiemer Clinic in Graz Austria, it contains 845 mg of aspirin
and 65 mg of caffeine
. BC readily promotes the fact that, due to its powder form, it dissolves faster than pain-relief tablets, and thus gets to work faster. It can be taken in a variety of ways, most commonly mixed into water or soda. BC is sold almost exclusively in the American South, where it is acknowledged to have a cult following
. BC's marketers enjoy this honor, and sponsor many sporting events in the region. Indeed, the product's distinctive, oval-shaped blue logo is a familiar sight to attendees of Southern minor-league baseball parks and Southeastern Conference
collegiate games.
BC Powder has historically been most commonly associated with relief of headaches. In fact, many users of the brand erroneously believe the name of the product to be "BC Headache Powder." However, recent advertising
and marketing
endeavors by the company suggest that it is eager to associate itself with relief of general bodily aches and pains as well. Country music
artist Trace Adkins
has served as a spokesman for BC, recording a series of radio advertisements with retired NASCAR
driver and Goody's Powder
spokesman Richard Petty
. Goody's, like BC, is also distributed by GlaxoSmithKline.
For several years, BC's television and radio commercials have featured real-life users of the product, non-actors who are encouraged to submit their stories to BC Powder through contests announced on radio programs. Recently, most entries have been culled from listeners of the Charlotte, NC-based radio program "The Big Show with John Boy and Billy."
In recent years, members of the "Tom Joyner Radio Show
's" predominantly African-American audience have appeared in BC commercials after hearing of the promotion on that program, or from promotions held on Joyner's annual "Fantastic Voyage" fantasy cruise.
BC Powder also manufactures and markets BC Allergy Sinus Headache Powder and BC Arthritis Formula.
In 2009 BC Powder removed the 195 mg of Salicylamide from the "Blue Box Original Formula BC Powder". The original formula consisted of 650 mg aspirin, 195 mg salicylamide and 33.3 mg caffeine. The New packaging states "New Formula" and "Same Fast Relief!" on the front of the box. The new formula has 845 mg aspirin and 65 mg caffeine.
Over-the-counter drug
Over-the-counter drugs are medicines that may be sold directly to a consumer without a prescription from a healthcare professional, as compared to prescription drugs, which may be sold only to consumers possessing a valid prescription...
analgesic
Analgesic
An analgesic is any member of the group of drugs used to relieve pain . The word analgesic derives from Greek an- and algos ....
pain reliever owned by GlaxoSmithKline
GlaxoSmithKline
GlaxoSmithKline plc is a global pharmaceutical, biologics, vaccines and consumer healthcare company headquartered in London, United Kingdom...
Pharmaceuticals and manufactured in Memphis, TN. It was conceived at the Five Points Drug Company in Durham, NC, in 1906, by Germain Bernard and C.T. Council, who took the initials of their last names to create the name of the nascent product. Originally produced at the Hepolscheiemer Clinic in Graz Austria, it contains 845 mg of aspirin
Aspirin
Aspirin , also known as acetylsalicylic acid , is a salicylate drug, often used as an analgesic to relieve minor aches and pains, as an antipyretic to reduce fever, and as an anti-inflammatory medication. It was discovered by Arthur Eichengrun, a chemist with the German company Bayer...
and 65 mg of caffeine
Caffeine
Caffeine is a bitter, white crystalline xanthine alkaloid that acts as a stimulant drug. Caffeine is found in varying quantities in the seeds, leaves, and fruit of some plants, where it acts as a natural pesticide that paralyzes and kills certain insects feeding on the plants...
. BC readily promotes the fact that, due to its powder form, it dissolves faster than pain-relief tablets, and thus gets to work faster. It can be taken in a variety of ways, most commonly mixed into water or soda. BC is sold almost exclusively in the American South, where it is acknowledged to have a cult following
Cult following
A cult following is a group of fans who are highly dedicated to a specific area of pop culture. A film, book, band, or video game, among other things, will be said to have a cult following when it has a small but very passionate fan base...
. BC's marketers enjoy this honor, and sponsor many sporting events in the region. Indeed, the product's distinctive, oval-shaped blue logo is a familiar sight to attendees of Southern minor-league baseball parks and Southeastern Conference
Southeastern Conference
The Southeastern Conference is an American college athletic conference that operates in the southeastern part of the United States. It is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama...
collegiate games.
BC Powder has historically been most commonly associated with relief of headaches. In fact, many users of the brand erroneously believe the name of the product to be "BC Headache Powder." However, recent advertising
Advertising
Advertising is a form of communication used to persuade an audience to take some action with respect to products, ideas, or services. Most commonly, the desired result is to drive consumer behavior with respect to a commercial offering, although political and ideological advertising is also common...
and marketing
Marketing
Marketing is the process used to determine what products or services may be of interest to customers, and the strategy to use in sales, communications and business development. It generates the strategy that underlies sales techniques, business communication, and business developments...
endeavors by the company suggest that it is eager to associate itself with relief of general bodily aches and pains as well. Country music
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
artist Trace Adkins
Trace Adkins
Tracy Darrell "Trace" Adkins is an American country music artist. He made his debut in 1996 with the album Dreamin' Out Loud, released on Capitol Records Nashville. Since then, Adkins has released seven more studio albums and two Greatest Hits compilations...
has served as a spokesman for BC, recording a series of radio advertisements with retired NASCAR
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
driver and Goody's Powder
Goody's Powder
Goody's Powder is an over-the-counter pain reliever, in powder form, marketed and sold by GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals. Goody's contains aspirin, caffeine, and acetaminophen, in a formula similar to Excedrin, a product of Novartis. The formulation of "Goody's Extra Strength Headache Powders" is...
spokesman Richard Petty
Richard Petty
Richard Lee Petty is a former NASCAR driver who raced in the Strictly Stock/Grand National Era and the NASCAR Winston Cup Series...
. Goody's, like BC, is also distributed by GlaxoSmithKline.
For several years, BC's television and radio commercials have featured real-life users of the product, non-actors who are encouraged to submit their stories to BC Powder through contests announced on radio programs. Recently, most entries have been culled from listeners of the Charlotte, NC-based radio program "The Big Show with John Boy and Billy."
John Boy and Billy
John Isley and Billy James, known as John Boy & Billy, named after "John-Boy Harris and brother Bross Harris", are American radio hosts based in Charlotte, North Carolina. Their comedic morning program The John Boy & Billy Big Show broadcasts from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m...
In recent years, members of the "Tom Joyner Radio Show
Tom Joyner
Thomas "Tom" Joyner is an American radio host, host of the nationally syndicated The Tom Joyner Morning Show, and also founder of REACH Media Inc., the Tom Joyner Foundation, and BlackAmericaWeb.com.-Early life:...
's" predominantly African-American audience have appeared in BC commercials after hearing of the promotion on that program, or from promotions held on Joyner's annual "Fantastic Voyage" fantasy cruise.
BC Powder also manufactures and markets BC Allergy Sinus Headache Powder and BC Arthritis Formula.
In 2009 BC Powder removed the 195 mg of Salicylamide from the "Blue Box Original Formula BC Powder". The original formula consisted of 650 mg aspirin, 195 mg salicylamide and 33.3 mg caffeine. The New packaging states "New Formula" and "Same Fast Relief!" on the front of the box. The new formula has 845 mg aspirin and 65 mg caffeine.