A New Dive Into The Ocean With DAVIDOFF Cool Water And National Geographic For 2013

PARIS, March 21, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Following National Geographic Society's successful expedition to the Pitcairn Islands (UK territory) in the Pacific Ocean, Coty Inc. has announced the renewal of the partnership agreement for the Pristine Seas program between the National Geographic Society and DAVIDOFF Cool Water.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130321/NY80213 )

Today, the ocean covers 72% of the surface of the Earth, but only 1% is protected. National Geographic, through the Pristine Seas Project, seeks to protect some of the last pristine spots of the oceans and to create marine protected areas.

In 2012, the partnership kicked off with an expedition to the Pitcairn Islands in the Pacific Ocean. It was the first expedition conducted in the frame of the National Geographic and DAVIDOFF Cool Water partnership. Dr. Enric Sala, a marine ecologist and National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence, led the expedition. 384 dives were conducted in the Pitcairn Islands waters, for a total of 450 person-hours underwater. 40,210 fishes, 14,500 algae and 6300 coral colonies were counted and measured.

The surveys revealed pristine marine ecosystems with intact coral communities and healthy fish populations dominated by top predators such as sharks. This demonstrates the global biological value of the Pitcairn Islands waters. The unaltered deep sea habitats of the Pitcairn Islands harbor unique biodiversity including rare deep sea sharks, and fish species completely new to science.

"The Pitcairn Islands are known for their rich history," said Enric Sala. "They are unique because they harbour some of the last pristine coral reefs left on the planet, and are an unexplored deep sea world."

After seeing what the expedition team had found, the Pitcairn community voted unanimously for the protection of their waters in September 2012: A proposal for the creation of what would be the largest marine reserve in the world around the Pitcairn Islands. The UK government is now studying the proposal.

"A Pitcairn Island marine reserve would be the world's largest, at over 800,000 square kilometres, and would contribute greatly to meeting the agreed international target of protecting 10% of the world's oceans by 2020," said Terry Garcia, National Geographic's Executive Vice President for Mission Programs.

Given the positive results of the partnership in 2012, both DAVIDOFF Cool Water and National Geographic have expressed their respective intentions to continue the relationship within the framework of the Pristine Seas missions for 2013. Following the renewal of the partnership, DAVIDOFF Cool Water will support the new Expedition that started offshore Chile on February 7th, 2013.

"This relationship with National Geographic is a cornerstone for DAVIDOFF Cool Water. The link we have created with the ocean has grown stronger and we feel it is essential to keep working on this partnership," said Jean Mortier, President of Coty Prestige.

Consumers will continue to have the opportunity to join DAVIDOFF Cool Water in supporting the National Geographic Pristine Seas program. This year, the aim is to increase interaction with consumers. It will be achieved thanks to new in-store animations and digital actions.

About Coty Inc.
Coty was created in Paris in 1904 by Francois Coty, who is credited with founding the modern fragrance industry.

Today Coty Inc. is a recognized leader in global beauty with annual net sales of over $4 billion. Driven by an entrepreneurial spirit, passion, innovation and creativity, Coty Inc. has developed an unrivaled portfolio of notable brands and delivers its innovative products to consumers in 135 markets worldwide.

The Coty Prestige brand portfolio is distributed in prestige and ultra-prestige stores and includes - besides DAVIDOFF - the brands Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta, Calvin Klein, Cerruti, Chloe, Chopard, Jennifer Lopez, Jil Sander, JOOP!, Kenneth Cole, Gwen Stefani, Lancaster, Marc Jacobs, Nikos, philosophy, Roberto Cavalli, Sarah Jessica Parker, Truth or Dare by Madonna Vera Wang, Vivienne Westwood and Wolfgang Joop.

The Coty Beauty brand portfolio is more widely distributed and includes adidas, ASTOR, Baby Phat, Beyonce Knowles, Celine Dion, Chupa Chups, David and Victoria Beckham, Elite Models, Esprit, Exclamation, Faith Hill, GUESS?, Halle Berry, Heidi Klum, Jovan, Kate Moss, Kylie Minogue, Lady Gaga, Manhattan, Manhattan Clearface, Miss Sporty, Nautica, N.Y.C. New York Color, Nicole by OPI, OPI, Pierre Cardin¹, Playboy, Rimmel, Sally Hansen, Stetson, Tim McGraw, TJoy and Tonino Lamborghini.

Coty and Puig S.L. have a strategic partnership for the distribution of the perfume lines of Antonio Banderas, Carolina Herrera, Nina Ricci, Paco Rabanne, Prada, Shakira and Valentino in the United States and Canada.

For additional information about Coty Inc., please visit www.coty.com.
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About the National Geographic Society
The National Geographic Society is one of the world's largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations. Founded in 1888 to "increase and diffuse geographic knowledge," the Society's mission is to inspire people to care about the planet. It reaches more than 400 million people worldwide each month through its official journal, National Geographic, and other magazines; National Geographic Channel; television documentaries; music; radio; films; books; DVDs; maps; exhibitions; live events; school publishing programs; interactive media; and merchandise. National Geographic has funded more than 10,000 scientific research, conservation and exploration projects and supports an education program promoting geographic literacy. For more information, visit www.nationalgeographic.com.

Zino DAVIDOFF Group
The Zino Davidoff Group is a Swiss-based family business that manufactures exclusive watches, writing instruments and leather goods for a sophisticated clientele in addition to prestige fragrances, eyewear, cognac and cafe. DAVIDOFF has committed itself to bring together the finest materials and ingredients the world has to offer. From design, inspiration and craftsmanship – the goal is to provide ultimate quality and reliability. It's all part of the DAVIDOFF philosophy of perfection.

The Zino DAVIDOFF Heritage
Products bearing the DAVIDOFF brand must represent the finest quality, style and positive lifestyle embraced by the company founder Zino DAVIDOFF himself. Zino DAVIDOFF (1906 – 1994), the cultivated, open-minded and sophisticated gentleman, the visionary businessman and the enthusiastic traveller explored the world for inspiration, always in quest for superior quality. He was an artisan of a happy life, enjoying the simple pleasures life offers and sharing them with friends. His expertise, tenacity and intuition combined with his unique personality earned him the status of a legend.

Today, the DAVIDOFF brand resonates throughout the globe as one of the ultimate touchstones for exclusivity. Superior quality and authenticity make DAVIDOFF a synonym for cosmopolitan luxury.

DAVIDOFF Fragrances
The legacy of DAVIDOFF's unique sense of quality and art de vivre is reflected in each DAVIDOFF fragrance. Since the launch of the first fragrance in 1984, the brand has become one of the most iconic fragrance brands, including one of the most successful fragrances ever: DAVIDOFF Cool Water– the renowned male classic launched in 1988.

Further fragrances include among others DAVIDOFF Cool Water Woman, DAVIDOFF Cool Water Sensual Essence, DAVIDOFF Hot Water, DAVIDOFF Adventure, DAVIDOFF Silver Shadow and recently introducing DAVIDOFF The Game.

For further information visit www.zinodavidoff.com
Zino DAVIDOFF SA, Fribourg, Switzerland

SOURCE Coty Inc.