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| M·A·C Cosmetics announces two new spokespeople for its VIVA GLAM III Lipstick:
music superstars Mary J. Blige and Lil'Kim will appear in new advertising campaign to break in April 2000 to
support the M·A·C AIDS FUND. |
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| New York, February 7, 2000 - M·A·C Cosmetics, the rule-breaking professional cosmetics company,
announced today that music superstars Mary J. Blige and Lil' Kim have been named as spokespeople for VIVA GLAM III Lipstick,
the primary fund-raising tool for The M·A·C AIDS Fund. Since its creation in 1994, $20 million dollars have been
raised for The M·A·C AIDS Fund. The Fund is dedicated to supporting men, women and children living with HIV and AIDS.
100% of the suggested retail price of the Lipstick, $14.00, goes to The M·A·C AIDS Fund. VIVA GLAM III will be at all
M·A·C locations in late March 2000. |
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| To kick off M·A·C's VIVA GLAM III campaign,
M·A·C President John Demsey, presented a check for
$500,000 to the United Nations at a UN Town Hall Meeting on the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Africa. This is the first donation from
The M·A·C AIDS Fund to the UN specifically for African relief. |
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| According to John Demsey, president of M·A·C,
"AIDS relief around the world has been our priority and we are committed
to working with the United Nations in effort to combat this epidemic. " Demsey went on the say,
"After a very long search, M·A·C
chose Mary J. Blige and Lil' Kim for a number of reasons. Most importantly, for their interest and dedication to supporting
The M·A·C AIDS Fund." Demsey explained, "These women also represent what M·A·C is
all about - artists expressing themselves and their creativity with fashion and makeup - both Mary J. Blige and Lil' Kim have
a history of breaking rules and have really reached the level of being alternative fashion icons. They appeal to M·A·C's
diverse audiences -- all races, all sexes, all ages - which makes them perfect choices for M·A·C." |
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| Grammy winner Mary J. Blige, known as the queen of hip-hop soul,
became an instant sensation with her 1992 debut album
"What's the 411." Her current album, "Mary," was one of the most highly- acclaimed releases of 1999, and has been nominated
for three Grammys. Lil' Kim rose to notoriety with her debut album "Hard Core". Her eagerly anticipated follow-up album,
"The Notorious K.I.M" will be released in June. M·A·C has never shied away from affiliations with controversial
artists: Mary J. and Lil' Kim join previous M·A·C spokespeople, drag diva Ru Paul, the face of VIVA GLAM, and
recording artist kd lang, the face of VIVA GLAM II. |
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| "I feel blessed to be part of M·A·C's VIVA GLAM III
campaign," said Mary J. Blige. "It means a lot to me to give
support to people suffering from AIDS. The whole experience has been really positive, and I am proud to be involved." |
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| Lil' Kim is equally excited to be involved with The M·A·C
AIDS Fund. "When M·A·C approached
me, I was delighted not only because I wear their products, but just knowing that I will be part of a
campaign that will help men, women and children
with HIV and AIDS live comfortably." Lil' Kim continued, "If I can help one person by lending my image, I am going to do it." |
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| Mary J. and Lil' Kim will appear in M·A·C 's first new
advertising campaign in several years for the new VIVA GLAM III shade -
M·A·C only advertises the VIVA GLAM lipsticks and The M·A·C AIDS Fund. The image was shot by
famed photographer David LaChapelle and appeared in a select number of magazines in April 2000. |
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| The M·A·C AIDS Fund was created in 1994. To raise money to support the fund, a special lipstick was created: VIVA GLAM. The
lipstick, a deep, neutral red, was an instant hit. VIVA GLAM II was launched in 1997 to maintain the fund-raising momentum.
The muted mauve-pink shade was another hit, and the two VIVA GLAM shades continue to be some of M·A·C 's best-selling shades.
VIVA GLAM III, a plum-brown shade, is estimated to produce sales of approximately US $2,000,000 in its first year of sales,
the full amount directly going to The M·A·C AIDS Fund. M·A·C's retail partners generously waive all profits so that
the sales benefit only those in need. |
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| M·A·C (Make-up Art Cosmetics), the leading brand of professional cosmetics, was created in Toronto, Canada in 1985 by
entrepreneurs Frank Toskan and the late Frank Angelo and is now part of The Estee Lauder Companies, Inc. The company's
popularity has grown through a tradition of word-of-mouth endorsement from makeup artists, models, photographers and journalists
around the world. M·A·C is now sold in over 36 countries around the world. |
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