NEW YORK, December 1, 2010/PRNewswire/ -- 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 125th 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, Filipina 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.

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

"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 today, 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.

    Live Twitter Q&A

    Tune in today at 2:45 PM ET for a LIVE Twitter Q&A with Fergie, Diane Warren and Andrea Jung as they answer questions from featured bloggers from  around the world. Access the Twitter Q&A here

http://www.twitter.com/avonvoices or by following #avonvoices.

    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.

    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 6.2
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 http://www.avoncompany.com.

    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).