ABSOLUT® VODKA + THREADLESS Challenge Artists to Create a Chicago-Themed Design for a Limited Edition Vodka Bottle

NEW YORK, Feb. 7, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- ABSOLUT VODKA, one of the most creative brands on the planet, is teaming up with the online design community Threadless, who will host a challenge to create artwork that will be featured on the next limited edition bottle in their city-inspired series.  Building on the previous "city" editions (New Orleans, Los Angeles, Boston, Brooklyn, San Francisco, and Miami), the next design will be the first one sourced from a community of artists in the brand's storied history.  In addition to their design being printed on the new bottle, the winning artist will also receive $10,000 and a trip to the ABSOLUT Chicago launch party.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130111/NY40934LOGO )

"ABSOLUT has a long history of collaborations dating back to Andy Warhol and Herb Ritts, and this latest creative partnership invites the next generation of ABSOLUT VODKA consumers to put their stamp on the brand by creating the design that will appear on the bottle," said Maxime Kouchnir, Vice President, Vodkas at Pernod Ricard. 

With more than 2.1 million community members, Threadless is a pioneer in trend-setting designs on t-shirts, fashion items and home goods. On average, Threadless receives 350 art submissions each day, making it a perfect partner to create the next iconic bottle design for ABSOLUT VODKA.

"This partnership provides artists on Threadless with the opportunity to design on a brand new canvas, which is something we try to continually bring our community.  Also, since Threadless was founded and is still located here in Chicago, we feel a very strong connection and a lot of pride participating in this series," said Jake Nickell, Threadless founder and Chief Community Officer.

Starting Thursday, February 7, artists 25 years of age and older will have three weeks to submit their designs on Threadless. The public can help pick the finalists, and voting on designs will be open from February 7 – March 7.

A jury of Threadless and ABSOLUT executives will select the winning design from the finalists, announcing the new bottle design at the bottle launch in the fall. To submit and vote on designs, consumers should visit Threadless.com/Absolut.

Details on the proposed flavor to be associated with the new bottle design will be revealed in late 2013. 

About Threadless
Threadless is an online community of artists and friends. As the company explores new opportunities and canvases for its artists, it keeps true to the core of its business; anyone from any corner of the Internet can make and pick what Threadless sells. Since 2000, thousands of artists have submitted their work. And every single week, Threadless transforms their weird, geeky, and beautiful ideas into tangible art. Join their community of 2 million - make, pick, play, and shop at Threadless.com. Threadless, Make Great Together.

ABSOLUT VODKA has been committed to developing innovative flavors since the introduction of ABSOLUT PEPPAR in 1986, its first flavored vodka.  Since then, ABSOLUT has continued to bring a unique twist to common flavors with products such as ABSOLUT® MANDRIN®, ABSOLUT® CITRON, ABSOLUT® KURANT®, ABSOLUT® VANILIA, ABSOLUT® RASPBERRI, ABSOLUT® APEACH®, ABSOLUT® RUBY RED, ABSOLUT® PEARS, ABSOLUT® MANGO, ABSOLUT® BERRI ACAI, ABOSLUT® WILD TEA, ABSOLUT® ORIENT APPLE, ABSOLUT® GRAPEVINE and ABSOLUT© CHERRYKRAN.

About Pernod Ricard USA®
Pernod Ricard USA is the premium spirits and wine company in the U.S., and the largest subsidiary of Paris, France-based Pernod Ricard SA, which employs more than 18,000 people worldwide and is listed on the NYSE Euronext exchange (Ticker: RI).

The company's leading spirits and wines include such prestigious brands as ABSOLUT® VODKA, Chivas Regal® Scotch Whisky, The Glenlivet® Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Jameson® Irish Whiskey, Malibu®, Kahlua® Liqueur, Beefeater® Gin, Plymouth™ Gin, Seagram's Extra Dry Gin®, Martell® Cognac, Hiram Walker® Liqueurs, Pernod®, Ricard® and Avion™ Tequila (through a joint venture with Tequila Avion); such superior wines as Jacob's Creek® and Brancott Estate®; and such exquisite champagnes and sparkling wines as Perrier-Jouet® Champagne, G.H. Mumm™ Champagne and Mumm Napa® sparkling wines.

Pernod Ricard USA is based in Purchase, New York, and has roughly 850 employees across the country. Pernod Ricard USA urges all adults to consume its products responsibly and has an active campaign to promote responsible drinking. For more information on this, please visit: www.acceptresponsibility.org.

SOURCE Pernod Ricard USA