Avon Voices: Company’s First-ever Global Online Singing Talent Search and Songwriting Competition

NEW YORK – December 2010 Avon Products, Inc. launches Avon Voices, its first-ever global online singing talent search for women and songwriting competition for men and women in celebration of its 125^th Anniversary.  Avon invites people from more than 60 countries, along with its 6.2 million independent sales Representatives, to ignite a global movement through music. 

A renowned judging panel of music industry leaders from around the world includes: Fergie, six-time Grammy award winner; Diane Warren, legendary songwriter; Natasha Bedingfield, Grammy nominated singer/songwriter; Lea Salonga, Filpina singer and actress; Russian sensation Valeriya; Delta Goodrem, Australian Artist of the Decade; Ivete Sangalo, Brazil’s biggest pop star; Sheila E., breakthrough, Grammy-nominated female percussionist; David Pack, Grammy award-winning singer/composer and music producer; and Maia, Colombian singing star.

Highlights of the year-long program will include travel to exciting destinations for nearly 200 global contenders to receive professional coaching and Avon makeovers, and record performance videos.  The goal of the Talent Search is to find two talented singers – one an Avon Representative – who may have the opportunity to record a professionally produced album.  

“For 125 years, Avon has empowered women to find their own unique voices as they work to make their dreams come true.  We are thrilled to now give women the opportunity to share their voice, their song and their story through this unprecedented global talent search,” noted Andrea Jung, CEO and Chairman of Avon Products, Inc.  “Avon Voices will celebrate Avon’s heritage and our future, as we raise women up through beauty, inspiration and song.”

Starting December 1, 2010, the program’s official website - AvonVoices.com – is live, and open for registration.  There are three ways to engage as a member of the Avon Voices global community:

Sing: Women are invited to participate in the online Singing Talent Search by choosing a song from the website and uploading a submission video through February 13, 2011 at AvonVoices.com.

Vote: Everyone can be a talent scout and recruit all of the talented people they know, watch videos, and vote for their favorite Avon Voices contenders to help decide the outcome. From April through October, the search will be narrowed down four times by a combination of online public voting and judges’ scores. (Official Round One voting begins April 22, 2011).

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).

Music Downloads to benefit the Avon Foundation for Women

Avon Voices is about more than providing a showcase for undiscovered talent.  Throughout the year, music will be available for digital download in select countries, with a percentage of proceeds supporting 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.

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 http://www.avonvoices.com/ or follow us on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/avonvoices) and Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/avonvoices).