Over 1.7 Million Votes Cast in Avon Voices Global Singing Talent Search and the Results Are In! Vote Now to Select 25 Semi-Finalists

Over 1.7 Million Votes Cast in Avon Voices Global Singing Talent Search and the Results Are In! Vote Now to Select 25 Semi-Finalists

Avon Voices Announces 100 Contenders to Advance to Next Round in Talent Search; Songwriting Competition Underway

NEW YORK, June 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Avon Products, Inc. announced the 100 contenders from 41 countries who will advance to the second round of Avon Voices - the company's first-ever global online singing talent search. Out of 178 Round One Contenders from around the world, 100 Round Two Contenders were chosen from a combination of an online public vote and an Avon Voices judging panel. Starting today through June 20, the public can view new performances by the Round Two Contenders and vote for their favorites at www.AvonVoices.com. Over 1.7 million votes around the world were cast in Round One.

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

"It was thrilling to receive such strong support from voters and we hope to continue to engage people everywhere to join in the next rounds of voting and help make two women's dreams come true," said Joe Billone, Vice President, Global Communications for Avon Products, Inc. "We are very grateful to all of the Round One Contenders for sharing their incredible singing talents and inspiring stories. And we congratulate the women who advanced to Round Two; they truly are the embodiment of hope, optimism and empowerment that defines Avon Voices."

Culminating later this Fall, up to 10 Global Finalists will join many of our Avon Voices celebrity judges to record an anthem written by Diane Warren that will debut live at the Avon Foundation for Women Annual Gala in New York City, and be available for purchase in certain countries. At the Gala, two Avon Voices winners - one an Avon Representative - will be announced, and 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; Ivete Sangalo, Brazil's biggest pop star; and Maia, Colombian singing star.

In addition to the talent search, a songwriting competition for women and men is also underway on AvonVoices.com. The company is looking for the next great songwriter from participating countries to submit a 3-4 minute original song that inspires hope and optimism. Entries can be made through July 1, 2011 at www.AvonVoices.com. Since submissions began on May 20, already more than 500 songs have been entered from songwriters in 38 countries. Up to 10 winners of the Avon Voices Songwriting Competition may be offered a music publishing contract, and two grand prize winners will have their winning songs performed live by the Avon Voices Singing Talent Search finalists at the Avon Foundation for Women Gala.

If You Haven't Registered, Do it Now!

Since December 1, 2010, Avon Voices has invited women from around the world to join a global movement through music in celebration of Avon's 125th Anniversary. Go to the program's official website - AvonVoices.com - to register to be part of the year-long program and access the following features:

-- View and Vote: Watch the new Round Two Contender videos, and cast your
vote by June 20.
-- 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). See the full rules at AvonVoices.com.
-- Discover Exclusive Music: "Shoot for the Stars," a song written and
sung by Natasha Bedingfield and "Until You Love You," written by Diane
Warren, produced by David Pack and sung by Valeriya and other recordings
by Avon Voices judges and additional artists are available for purchase
exclusively through AvonVoices.com. 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.

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.

Video:http://www.multivu.com/players/English/45814-avon-voices
Avon Products, Inc.

CONTACT: Rogers & Cowan, Susan Yin, +1-310-854-8122, syin@rogersandcowan.com, Colette Hollander, +1-310-854-8287, chollander@rogersandcowan.com; Avon Products Inc., Jennifer Iino-Harvey, +1-212-282-8193, jennifer.iino-harvey@avon.com

Web Site: http://www.avon.com

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