Avon to Sponsor The Black Eyed Peas' The E.N.D. World Tour

Company Launching Fragrance with Band's Front-Woman, Fergie

NEW YORK, May 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Avon Products, Inc. is proud to be the exclusive Fragrance and Cosmetics sponsor of BlackBerry® presents The Black Eyed Peas "The E.N.D. World Tour 2010," with Bacardi®, as the Official Spirit sponsor.  The sponsorship comes on the heels of the company's announcement that it partnered with The Black Eyed Peas front-woman Fergie to collaborate on a fragrance, called "Outspoken."  The fragrance, to be available exclusively through over 6 million Avon Representatives worldwide, is scheduled to launch in Western Europe in May 2010, followed by launches in North America, Latin America and other global markets in the coming months.  

"We are so excited to be sponsoring The Black Eyed Peas as they embark on what promises to be a groundbreaking global concert tour," says Tracy Haffner, Vice President of Global Fragrance Marketing and Strategic Alliances. "It's been such a pleasure welcoming Fergie into the Avon family, and we're thrilled to support her in the incredible endeavors that make her such a SUPERstar."  

Fergie, a multi-talented singer, songwriter, fashion designer and actress, worked closely with Avon to design this fragrance, which exudes independence, confidence and femininity.   "Outspoken" captures Fergie's bold expression and magnetic appeal in a floral fruit fragrance with a raw, sexy, unexpected edge.

"Outspoken is for the woman who needs no introduction," says Fergie.  "She is fearless… true to herself and her beliefs.  She knows what she wants and isn't afraid to ask for it or speak her mind. The scent is bold with a Rock-n-Roll Boudoir vibe that will shock you."

At select stops along the tour, Avon will host an exclusive "Outspoken" booth, where concert attendees can sample Fergie's fragrance firsthand.  As part of this interactive experience, guests can also learn more about "Outspoken" and Avon through videos and websites.

In addition, The Black Eyed Peas leader will.i.am collaborated with Fergie on an exclusive music track for the upcoming "Outspoken" commercial.  Will.i.am produced, composed and recorded it specifically for the Avon "Outspoken" fragrance campaign. Fans will get a chance to hear the song playing in the "Outspoken" booth at select tour stops as well.  

Avon joins The Black Eyed Peas global tour kick off in Ireland and will continue with additional dates in Europe, North America, Central and South America, Asia and Australia.

About Avon

Avon, the company for women, is a leading global beauty company, with over $10 billion in annual revenue. As the world's largest direct seller, Avon markets to women in more than 100 countries through approximately 6.2 million independent Avon Sales Representatives. Avon's product line includes beauty products, as well as fashion and home products, and features such well-recognized brand names as Avon Color, Anew, Skin-So-Soft, Advance Techniques, Avon Naturals, and Mark. Learn more about Avon and its products at www.avoncompany.com.

About Fergie

Six time Grammy Award winning and multi-platinum recording artist Fergie began her career early, first as the voice for the cartoon series Charlie Brown as both Sally and Lucy, later as a cast member of Kids Incorporated during her teen years, followed by joining the all-female pop trio Wild Orchid.  She joined The Black Eyed Peas in 2002, and was on hand when the release of their first disc together, Elephunk, which went on to sell nearly 10 million copies worldwide.  Two years later the follow-up Monkey Business yielded five Top 40 hits including "Don't Phunk With My Heart" and "My Humps" and has sold over nine million copies worldwide.  In 2006, Fergie released her debut solo album, The Dutchess, which sold over 7 million copies worldwide.  In 2009, Fergie had a starring role in the feature film, "NINE."                      

The Black Eyed Peas fifth CD, THE E.N.D. entered the Billboard Top 200 chart at #1.  "Boom Boom Pow" and "I Gotta Feeling" spent 26 consecutive weeks at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The Black Eyed Peas made Billboard history with the longest successive stay at the top of the chart and have recently broken the record for the highest selling digital track in history with "I Gotta Feeling."  The Black Eyed Peas have sold over 7 million copies of the THE E.N.D. album worldwide.

About AEG Live

AEG Live, the live-entertainment division of Los Angeles-based AEG, is dedicated to all aspects of live contemporary music performance. AEG Live is comprised of touring, festival, exhibition, broadcast, merchandise and special event divisions, fifteen regional offices, and thirty state-of-the-art venues. The company is currently producing tours and productions including Cher at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace and Supernatural Santana: A Trip Through the Hits at The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.  The concert tour roster includes artists such as Taylor Swift, Bon Jovi, Leonard Cohen, Celine Dion, Miley Cyrus, The Black Eyed Peas, Kelly Clarkson, Wisin & Yandel, Britney Spears, Kenny Chesney, P!nk, Paul McCartney, KISS and American Idols Live. AEG Live is the largest producer of music festivals in North America from the critically acclaimed Coachella Music & Arts Festival to Stagecoach and New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.  For more information, go to www.aeglive.com.  

SOURCE Avon Products, Inc.