DALLAS, Oct. 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Wilhelmina International, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: WHLM) announced today that multi-platinum recording artist, Fergie, has partnered with Avon Products, Inc., one of the world's leading global beauty companies. Fergie is represented by Wilhelmina Artist Management in the fashion and beauty categories, including fragrances and cosmetics. Wilhelmina Artist Management is a division of Wilhelmina International.

The full text of Avon's press announcement follows:

New York, NY, October 16, 2009 - Avon Products, Inc. today announced a partnership with award-winning artist, Fergie. A bold choice for the global brand, Fergie represents the same independence, confidence and femininity that Avon promotes. Avon is tapping the multi-talented singer, songwriter, fashion designer and actress to collaborate on a fragrance that embodies her unique character and appeal.

"I'm so excited to partner with Avon to develop my first-ever fragrance," Fergie commented. "I'm always seeking out new ways to express myself, and fragrance is the perfect opportunity to share my originality and confidence with my fans, and the Avon consumer. I couldn't be happier to be working with a brand with such a strong reputation for supporting women."

"We are thrilled to partner with Fergie and feel she will resonate strongly with our Avon Representatives and customers both as a fashion/style icon and a bold, multi-talented woman," says Jeri Finard, Senior Vice President and Global Brand President, Avon Products, Inc. "Fergie is a strong, confident and unique woman who stays true to herself and her beliefs. She inspires others with the empowering message that anyone can make their dreams come true - a message that is at the core of the Avon brand."

Fergie will make her first appearance on behalf of Avon on October 27th at the upcoming Avon Foundation for Women Annual Gala Event in New York City, where she will perform in support of Avon's charitable efforts. The annual event celebrates champions who are changing women's lives.

In development now, Fergie will be intimately involved in the development of the fragrance, including the scent, packaging, name and campaign. The fragrance will launch globally in August 2010 and in the U.S. in November 2010 and will be available exclusively through Avon Representatives worldwide.

"As Fergie's agents, we had one mandate for her own signature fragrance line, and that was to find an innovative gold standard beauty brand that understands her as an artist, but also understands her philanthropic side as well. There was no better beauty player in the world who fit the bill than Avon," said Sean Patterson, President of Wilhelmina, fashion and beauty agent for Fergie.

Fergie is the most recent partner to join the company's premier fragrance portfolio. Avon's other partners include Reese Witherspoon, Patrick Dempsey, Courteney Cox, U by Ungaro, Eon Productions for Bond Girl 007, Derek Jeter and Christian Lacroix.

About Wilhelmina International, Inc. and Wilhelmina Artist Management (www.wilhelmina.com):

Through Wilhelmina Models and its other subsidiaries including Wilhelmina Artist Management, Wilhelmina International, Inc. provides traditional, full-service fashion model and talent management services, specializing in the representation and management of leading models, entertainers, artists, athletes and other talent to various customers and clients including retailers, designers, advertising agencies and catalog companies. Wilhelmina Models was founded in 1967 by Wilhelmina Cooper, a renowned fashion model, and is one of the oldest and largest fashion model management companies in the world. Wilhelmina Models is headquartered in New York and, since its founding, has grown to include operations located in Los Angeles and Miami, as well as a growing network of licensees comprising leading modeling agencies in various local markets across the U.S.

    Contact:  John Murray
              Chief Financial Officer
              Wilhelmina International, Inc.
              214-661-7480

SOURCE Wilhelmina International, Inc.

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