Antonio Banderas Brings His 'Spirit' to Aspen Winterskol

Antonio Banderas Brings His 'Spirit' to Aspen Winterskol Spirit Antonio Banderas, a New Fragrance for Men, Supports Aspen Community as Premier Sponsor of Annual Festival and Presenting Sponsor of the Fireworks Celebration ASPEN, Colo., Jan. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Skol! Here's to the Best! PUIG Fragrances and Personal Care North America (PUIG F&PC USA), a subsidiary of Puig Beauty & Fashion Group, today announced that Spirit Antonio Banderas, a new fragrance for men, will serve as a Premier Sponsor of Aspen's annual Winterskol Festival, and the Presenting Sponsor of the Fireworks Celebration on Saturday, January 15. A special donation will also be made by Antonio Banderas on behalf of PUIG F&PC USA to The Buddy Program. (Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050117/NYM045) This year, Antonio Banderas will kickoff the fireworks extravaganza at 8:00pm on January 15th by leading the Torch Light Descent down Aspen Mountain joined by children of the Aspen Buddy Program and the Aspen Valley Ski & Snowboard Club. "I truly love Aspen and the entire community and always look forward to the time I spend here with my family," said Banderas. "I am thrilled that through my new fragrance, and in cooperation with my partners at PUIG F&PC USA, we have this opportunity to give back to the community and the wonderful Aspen Buddy Program during this great annual tradition." Winterskol, Aspen's annual toast to winter, celebrates its 54th anniversary in 2005. Winterskol sums up the character of Aspen with a variety of events including a wild and wacky Canine Fashion Show and the infamous Snowmass Splash. It features more than 40 events in downtown Aspen and at all four ski areas: Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk and Snowmass Mountain. Yearly favorites include the Fashion Show, the Buttermilk Uphill Race, Wintersculpt, and Fireworks Extravaganza. This year's theme is, Skol! Here's to the Best! "As we were preparing to introduce Spirit Antonio Banderas in the US, Antonio asked if there was something we could do together to support the Aspen community," said Vincent Colonna, Executive Vice President PUIG F&PC USA. "We're excited and honored to be a part of Winterskol as we lend our support to the local community and The Buddy Program." The Buddy Program of Aspen provides young people, ages 4-18, the opportunity to grow through adult mentoring. Children and adult volunteers join together in mentor relationships called Buddy Pairs and they meet two to three times a month for a period of at least one year. During these get- togethers, Buddies talk, discuss personal concerns and issues, and are able to share their life experiences, all while having a great time. Along with supervision and support from Buddy Program caseworkers, the Big Buddies work to increase their Little and Junior Buddies' self-esteem, confidence, and ability to make healthy, responsible choices. Lisa Chiles, executive director of The Buddy Program commented, "The Buddy Program is delighted to be the partnering non-profit organization with Spirit Antonio Banderas and PUIG F&PC North America for Winterskol. What a wonderful opportunity for the Little Buddies to participate in the Torch Light Descent! We are so grateful that an international company has recognized the value of mentoring in the Roaring Fork Valley and is reaching out to make a difference in the lives of the Big and Little Buddies in our community." "Aspen/Snowmass is proud to support the launch of Spirit Antonio Banderas," said John Rigney, Managing Director of Event Marketing for Aspen Skiing Company, "and we are also thrilled with Puig and Spirit's commitment to Winterskol, a tremendous community celebration." Spirit Antonio Banderas was introduced in the fall of 2004 and has quickly become one of the top-selling mass-market fragrances in the US. Created in the sexy, seductive and provocative spirit of its namesake, one of the world's most universally loved superstars, Spirit Antonio Banderas is the potion that embodies the Latin personality of energy, passion and spontaneous seduction through citrus fresh top notes, a spicy middle, and a finish of seductive vanilla, amber and musk notes. Spirit Antonio Banderas is available at fine chain drug and mass-market retailers nationwide. About PUIG Fragrances and Personal Care North America PUIG Fragrances and Personal Care, North America, Inc. (PUIG F&PC USA) is a subsidiary of PUIG Beauty & Fashion Group, a multi-national company operating in the perfumery, personal care, cosmetics and designer fashion sectors. PUIG F&PC USA manufactures and markets a distinct line of new and exciting products that bring high-powered, premium-quality brands to US mass- market consumers. Presently, PUIG Beauty & Fashion Group's products are distributed in more than 150 countries via a network of 40 subsidiaries worldwide. For more information about the company and its brands, please contact Chopin Rabin or Mariel Rittenhouse at 212-679-2233. Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050117/NYM045 AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/ AP PhotoExpress Network: PRN1 PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com Source: PUIG Fragrances and Personal Care North America CONTACT: Chopin Rabin, or Mariel Rittenhouse, both of Bratskeir Seidman, +1-212-679-2233, or wireless, +1-646-256-1220, both for Spirit Antonio Banderas ------- Profile: International Entertainment