Avon Voices Announces First Round of Contenders in Global Singing Talent Search and Release of Exclusive New Song by Natasha Bedingfield on the Centennial International Women's Day

NEW YORK, March 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Avon Products, Inc. today announced the Round One Contenders of its Avon Voices program – the company's first-ever global online singing talent search.  The Contenders, featured now on AvonVoices.com, were selected from a group of more than 6,000 from 62 countries who took the challenge to showcase their singing talent, tell their story, and share their dreams.  Later this Fall, two women – one an Avon Representative – will receive an opportunity to record a professionally-produced album.  The finalists will be selected by a combination of online public voting and renowned judging panel of music industry leaders from around the world, including: Fergie, six-time Grammy award winner; Diane Warren, legendary songwriter; Natasha Bedingfield, Grammy nominated singer/songwriter; Lea Salonga, Filipina singer and actress; Valeriya, Russian sensation; Delta Goodrem, Australian Artist of the Decade; Sheila E., breakthrough, Grammy-nominated female percussionist; David Pack, Grammy award-winning singer/composer and music producer; Diego Torres, Grammy nominated singer/composer; Ivete Sangalo, Brazil's biggest pop star; and Maia, Colombian singing star.

To view the multimedia assets associated with this release, please click: http://www.multivu.com/players/English/45814-avon-voices/

Since December 1, 2010, Avon Voices has invited women from around the world to join a global movement through music in celebration of the company's 125th Anniversary.  This announcement of the global Contenders on the 100th Anniversary of International Women's Day, is a testament to a day in which every corner of the globe celebrates the special achievements of women.    

"We'd like to thank the nearly one million people from around the world who have visited Avon Voices," said Joe Billone, Vice President, Global Communications for Avon Products, Inc. "It is thrilling to see this global community connecting women from around the world - from Brazil to Beijing, London to Los Angeles – to engage with one another around their common passion for music.   We are overwhelmed by the level of talent showcased in the submission phase and congratulate our Round One Contenders."

Starting in late March, Avon Voices will fly these Round One Contenders to one of four destinations around the world - Hong Kong, Rio de Janeiro, Paris and Nashville - to record their professional performance videos that will be featured in subsequent rounds of voting.  All contenders will also receive Avon makeovers by a team of professional makeup artists.  

Register Now

The program's official website – AvonVoices.com  – is live and open for registration, and features information about the year-long program.  Features of the community:

• View and Vote:  Watch Contender videos, as well as all global submission videos from around the world.  Beginning April 22, 2011, watch the Round 1 professionally produced videos and vote for your favorite to help choose the winner. From April through October, the search will be narrowed down four times by a combination of online public voting and judges' scores.
• Write:  Women and men may enter the Songwriting Competition. Write an original song that inspires or shares hope and optimism with the world. Simply submit a digital file and lyric sheet at AvonVoices.com (between May 20, 2011 and July 1, 2011).
• Discover Exclusive Music:  Released today, "Shoot for the Stars," is a song written and sung by Natasha Bedingfield, exclusively available through AvonVoices.com.  Other songs such as previously released exclusive "Until You Love You," written by Diane Warren, produced by David Pack and sung by Valeriya, and other recordings by our Avon Voices Judges and additional artists are also currently available for purchase. A percentage of the purchase price of all recordings will help advance the Avon Foundation for Women's global campaign to end violence against women and girls.  To date, Avon global philanthropy has raised and awarded more than $30 million directed to domestic and gender violence awareness, education, direct services and prevention programs.  To learn more about how to purchase this music, go to AvonVoices.com.

Avon Voices is being produced in partnership with, and powered by, Intero, a company committed to connecting, artists, brands and communities with meaningful content delivered through live events and online channels.

To learn more about Avon Voices, go to www.avonvoices.com, or visit  http://www.multivu.com/players/English/45814-avon-voices.  Follow Avon Voices on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/avonvoices) and Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/avonvoices).

About Avon Products, Inc.

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 6.5 million active 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 Avon Foundation for Women

The Avon Foundation for Women, the world's largest corporate-affiliated philanthropy focused on issues that matter most to women, was founded in 1955 to improve the lives of women. Through 2010, Avon global philanthropy has donated more than $800 million in more than 50 countries for causes most important to women. Today, Avon philanthropy focuses its funding on breast cancer research and access to care through the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade, and efforts to reduce domestic and gender violence through its Speak Out Against Domestic Violence program. Avon also responds generously to provide support for relief and recovery efforts in times of major natural disasters and emergencies.

SOURCE Avon Products, Inc.