Montblanc Announces New Charity Partnership with the Princess Grace Foundation-USA the Night Before the Oscars at Party co-hosted by Montblanc and Harvey and Bob Weinstein Celebrating the Weinstein Company’s Academy Award® Nominees

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 27, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Montblanc returns to the Oscars to co-host a star-studded event with The Weinstein Company. The cocktail event at Soho House in West Hollywood not only celebrates the Weinstein Company's Academy Award® nominees but also features the announcement of an exciting Montblanc charity partnership benefitting the Princess Grace Foundation-USA. Each year Montblanc presents the announcement of a year-long charity initiative on the night before the Academy Awards.

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This year, Montblanc introduces its collaboration with the Princess Grace Foundation-USA, a non-profit organization dedicated to identifying and assisting emerging talent in theatre, dance, and film by awarding grants in the form of scholarships, apprenticeships, and fellowships through the Princess Grace Awards program. The Foundation reflects Princess Grace of Monaco's life-long commitment to helping emerging artists realize their potential.  The American-born icon was an artist herself, not only celebrated by audiences for her unique elegance and style but also an Academy Award winning Best Actress in 1955 for her portrayal of Georgie Elgin opposite Bing Crosby in "The Country Girl". In the spirit of actively supporting this goal, Montblanc will make a donation of $1 million dollars to support the Princess Grace Awards program.

As 2011 marks the 60th anniversary of Grace Kelly's silver screen debut, Montblanc is delighted to celebrate her life this year.  As part of the celebration, Montblanc has designed a unique collection giving tribute to Princess Grace of Monaco which will include various products. The collection will be launched internationally at a gala evening on September 8, 2011 in Monte Carlo.

Montblanc is reinforcing its commitment to supporting young people around the world through providing access to education to help them to fulfill their potential. In 2009, Montblanc raised over 4 million USD for UNICEF through its global "Signature for Good" initiative to fight illiteracy. The following year, Montblanc announced its support of the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus to coincide with the 70th Anniversary of John Lennon's birth. This program has encouraged young people all across the US to benefit from access to music education and recording sessions.

NOTES TO THE EDITOR:

About MONTBLANC's cultural commitment: Cultural commitment is an integral part of Montblanc's brand philosophy. The culture of writing, which Montblanc has always cherished and promoted, is one of the oldest achievements of mankind. Nevertheless, many countries nowadays still lack the resources for providing the most basic writing and reading skills. Montblanc therefore wishes to take an active role in the international promotion of education and cultural values.

Montblanc has supported UNICEF's education programs for children through various global fundraising initiatives launched in 2004 and 2007, which have collectively raised over $1 million USD to benefit UNICEF.  In 2009, Montblanc renewed its commitment towards the common goal of working for children's right to literacy and education in launching the 2009/2010 "Signature for Good" initiative, which raised over $4 million USD.

About the Princess Grace Foundation:

The Princess Grace Foundation-USA is a not-for-profit, publicly-supported organization, headquartered in New York City and founded more than 25 years ago by Prince Rainier III of Monaco in honor of his wife, Princess Grace [Kelly].   Today, HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco serves as the Foundation's Vice Chairman and supports the Foundation's mission to continue Princess Grace's legacy by awarding scholarships, apprenticeships and fellowships to emerging artists in theater, dance and film.  Since its inception, the Foundation has bestowed nearly 700 awards, totaling more than $8 million in grants.  For more information about the Princess Grace Awards program and winners, please visit www.pgfusa.org.

SOURCE Montblanc