Avon Announces Fragrance Partnership With Award-Winning Actor Patrick Dempsey

NEW YORK, March 31 /PRNewswire/ -- Avon Products, Inc. (NYSE: AVP) today
announced it has partnered with award-winning actor Patrick Dempsey to create
a signature men's fragrance set to debut in November of 2008 in the US, with a
global launch following in 2009. This will be the actor's first foray into the
fragrance industry, and he will be actively involved with every aspect of the
project. Dempsey's wife, celebrity makeup artist Jillian Dempsey, has worked
with the company since July 2006 as their Global Creative Color Director.
(Photo: here)
"We are thrilled to partner with Patrick Dempsey -- an incredibly
accomplished actor who has achieved such broad appeal because of his genuine
authenticity, charisma and style," said Andrea Jung, Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer, Avon Products, Inc. "We're extremely impressed with both
his on and off screen accomplishments, and have a shared commitment to giving
back to communities in ways both big and small. We applaud his efforts
earlier this month to open the Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope &
Healing in Maine, and look forward to exploring future collaboration
opportunities with our Avon Foundation."
"This is an extremely exciting opportunity for me to work with Avon -- a
brand I have long respected as a global powerhouse with a lot of heart and
soul," said Dempsey. "The brand reaches every corner of the globe with more
than just high quality products -- it creates economic empowerment for women
through its earning opportunity, and has an excellent reputation for corporate
philanthropy through their Avon Foundation. My wife Jillian has enjoyed her
experience working with Avon, and I look forward to joining the family as
well."
One of Hollywood's most sought after and respected actors, Dempsey has won
a Screen Actors Guild Award (2007) and People's Choice Award (2007) for his
role as Dr. Shepherd on the ABC television super hit, Grey's Anatomy. Dempsey
is also actively involved in his movie career, and will soon be seen in the
upcoming romantic comedy Made of Honor, opening nationwide on May 2, 2008.
Dempsey was last seen in Disney's Enchanted opposite Amy Adams, and the
critically acclaimed Freedom Writers alongside Hilary Swank. Dempsey was born
and raised in Lewiston, Maine, and recently returned to his home state to open
the Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing in Maine.
About Avon Products, Inc. and the Avon Foundation
Avon, the company for women, is a leading global beauty company, with
almost $10 billion in annual revenue. As the world's largest direct seller,
Avon markets to women in more than 100 countries through 5.4 million
independent Avon Sales Representatives. Avon's product line includes beauty
products, fashion jewelry and apparel, and features such well-recognized brand
names as Avon Color, Anew, Skin-So-Soft, Advance Techniques, Avon Naturals,
and Mark. Avon is also a leader in corporate responsibility and philanthropy.
In addition to Avon's heritage of women's empowerment, the Avon Foundation, a
501(c)(3) public charity, is the largest corporate foundation for women, with
more than $580 million raised worldwide for breast cancer, domestic violence
and emergency disaster relief. Learn more about Avon, its products and
programs at www.avoncompany.com.
SOURCE Avon Products, Inc.

Debbie Coffey, +1-212-282-8187, or Claudia Shaum, +1-212-282-8195, both of
Avon Products, Inc.