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January 27, 2007

R.S.V.P. To Help

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Kenneth Cole's "R.S.V.P. To Help" Benefit Hosted by Kenneth Cole And Jon Bon Jovi
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Richie Sambora, Howard Stern & Beth Ostrosky, David Schwimmer, Ron Perelman, Russell Simmons, Petra Nemcova, Deborah Gibson, L.A. Reid, Steve Bartels, John Sykes, Rob Light, Philadelphia Eagles head coach Andy Reid, Maria Cuomo Cole, among others, all came out in support of Jon and Kenneth's mission to unite, motivate and inspire the community to focus on "responding to the call" to bring about positive change.
Jon Bon Jovi and Kenneth Cole Continue Their Ongoing Commitment to Help the Homeless at Kenneth Cole's 'R.S.V.P. to HELP' - the Official Launch of Kenneth Cole's New Men's Fragrance R.S.V.P.

More Than $1 Million Pledged to Charity
Online Charity Auction Kicks Off Today - View Items at www.rsvptohelp.org

NEW YORK, Jan. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Jon Bon Jovi and Kenneth Cole kicked off their "R.S.V.P. to HELP" fundraiser to benefit various homeless organizations last night. Combined with the proceeds of last evening's benefit, Jon and Kenneth, in their on-going commitment to help the homeless, have now raised in excess of $1,000,000 for the evening's three charity beneficiaries: Habitat for Humanity, HELP USA and the Philadelphia Soul Charitable Foundation. Jon & Kenneth have pledged that a portion of the proceeds from the sales of R.S.V.P., the new Kenneth Cole men's fragrance manufactured by Coty Inc. and the sales of limited-edition collection of Kenneth Cole/Jon Bon Jovi designer jackets will be donated to these three charities. Both items are available in stores now.

Doors opened to the sold-out event at the Tribeca Rooftop at 7:30PM, and the festivities began with a packed red carpet. Inside the party, patrons and supporters started bidding on over 50 silent auction items while DJ Maruizio set the tone as the crowd settled in. Comedian Lewis Black kicked off the live auction with Sotheby's auctioneer Geraldine Nager and the bidding frenzy began!

The live auction alone raised upwards of $750,000 and included a Desmond Tutu Habitat for Humanity Build package in Cape Town, South Africa that drew in $120,000, a Tiger Woods Pro-Am Experience & Private Lesson for $100,000 and 2 one week yacht vacations in St. Bart's for $100,000 each!

Richie Sambora, Howard Stern & Beth Ostrosky, David Schwimmer, Ron Perelman, Russell Simmons, Petra Nemcova, Deborah Gibson, L.A. Reid, Steve Bartels, John Sykes, Rob Light, Philadelphia Eagles head coach Andy Reid, Maria Cuomo Cole, among others, all came out in support of Jon and Kenneth's mission to unite, motivate and inspire the community to focus on "responding to the call" to bring about positive change.

"Once an idea becomes action, an energy is created that can be contagious," says Jon Bon Jovi, whose global rock icon status is offset by his commitment to the working-class community where he grew up. "People who want to help -- or who need help -- get discouraged because they don't know how to take the first step. I'm trying to make it a little easier by connecting the people with something to give with the people in need. When the connection is made, whatever town you call home becomes a better place."

The high point of the night was the presentation of a check to Jon Bon Jovi by Coty Inc. CEO Bernd Beetz and Kenneth Cole, pledging at least $1,000,000 towards Jon and Kenneth's collaborative efforts.

Jon Bon Jovi inspired the crowd with an acoustic set that included the hit song "Who Says You Can't Go Home," which is also the song featured in the television commercial for the Kenneth Cole R.S.V.P. fragrance.

The fundraising doesn't stop with last night's efforts ... the online auction of some very special, one-of-a-kind items will be open to public bidding beginning February 5th and ending on February 15th. Go to www.rsvptohelp.org to view the items.

One of the items being auctioned off is a custom 2007 Saturn OUTLOOK(TM) featuring one-of-a-kind touches: a special exterior color, interior trim, embroidered seats with Jon Bon Jovi and Kenneth Cole logos, triple DVD screen with Jon Bon Jovi entertainment package including DVD's and a pre-loaded iPod, stylish accessories like 19" Chrome wheels, chrome side assist step and Kenneth Cole leather luggage, key ring and sun glasses.

100 % of proceeds from the night went directly to benefit three (3) very special charities. They are: the international non-profit organization Habitat for Humanity; the national non-profit organization HELP USA, and the Philadelphia Soul Charitable Foundation.

A portion of the proceeds from the continuing sales of Kenneth Cole R.S.V.P. will be donated to HELP USA, Habitat for Humanity and The Philadelphia Soul Charitable Foundation.

"I am honored to collaborate with Jon on such a heart-warming project as R.S.V.P. to HELP. We have the same vision of helping those less fortunate than us and our partnership just works," said Kenneth Cole. "The night was very special to me." This is the second charitable venture that Kenneth and Jon have worked on together. The first was a collection of co-designed jackets, whose sales proceeds also benefited the homeless.

"Kenneth Cole R.S.V.P. is an important launch for both Coty and Kenneth Cole," said Coty Inc. CEO Bernd Beetz. "R.S.V.P. is our seventh fragrance with Kenneth and it is the first to be launched with a charity platform, making it very appropriate to the brand as well as the Coty philosophy of giving back to the community. We are also thrilled to be working with Jon Bon Jovi on this exciting initiative. He is a well recognized figure throughout the world, not only for his "rock n' roll," but also for his philanthropic efforts."

About Coty Inc.

Coty was created in Paris in 1904 by Francois Coty who is credited with founding the modern fragrance industry. Coty Inc. delivers innovative products to consumers in 91 markets worldwide.

Today, Coty Inc. is the world's largest fragrance company and a recognized leader in global beauty with annual net sales of $2.9 billion. Driven by an entrepreneurial spirit, passion, innovation and creativity, Coty Inc. has developed an unrivaled portfolio of 40 designer, celebrity and lifestyle brands.

The Coty Prestige brand portfolio is distributed in prestige and ultra- prestige stores and includes designer brands -- Calvin Klein, Cerruti, Chloe, Jette Joop, Jil Sander, JOOP!, Kenneth Cole, Marc Jacobs, Nikos, Vera Wang and Vivienne Westwood; celebrity brands -- Jennifer Lopez and Sarah Jessica Parker; and lifestyle brands -- Chopard, Davidoff, Lancaster, Nautica and Phat Farm.

The Coty Beauty brand portfolio is more widely distributed and includes designer brand -- Pierre Cardin (in Europe)*; celebrity brands -- Celine Dion, David and Victoria Beckham, Isabella Rossellini, Kylie Minogue, mary-kateandashley and Shania Twain; and lifestyle brands -- adidas, Aspen, Astor, Chupa Chups, Desperate Housewives, Esprit, Exclamation, Jovan, Miss Sixty, Miss Sporty, Rimmel, Stetson, and Vanilla Fields. For additional information about Coty Inc., please visit www.coty.com .

About Kenneth Cole Productions, Inc.

Kenneth Cole Productions, Inc. designs, sources, and markets a broad range of footwear, handbags, and accessories under the brand names "Kenneth Cole New York," "Kenneth Cole Reaction," "Unlisted, a Kenneth Cole Production," and "Tribeca, a Kenneth Cole Production," as well as footwear under the proprietary trademark "Gentle Souls" and under the licensed trademark "Bongo." The Company has also granted a wide variety of third party licenses for the production of men's, women's and children's apparel as well as fragrances, timepieces, eyewear, and several other accessory categories. The Company's products are distributed through department stores, better specialty stores, and company-owned retail stores as well as direct-to- consumer catalogs and e- commerce. Further information can be found at www.kennethcole.com .

ABOUT JON BON JOVI:

Musician, singer, songwriter and actor, JON BON JOVI is most recognizable as the voice for the band BON JOVI. Since the group's formation in the early 1980's, BON JOVI has sold more than 100 MILLION records worldwide and at over 2,700 shows in 47 countries more than 32 million fans have seen BON JOVI in concert. The band's latest album, HAVE A NICE DAY, includes the smash hit "Who Says You Can't Go Home" which made history as Bon Jovi became the first rock band ever to have a #1 hit on the country chart. The tour that followed was one of the top grossing tours of 2005/2006, playing to more than 2 million concertgoers worldwide. As the co-owner of the Arena Football League's Philadelphia Soul, Jon Bon Jovi introduced a new model of sports ownership. From the inception of the franchise, the mission was to use the team to give back to the local community. Heading into their fourth season, the Philadelphia Soul Organization has given away $2 million to local causes. Bon Jovi's charitable works focus on the issue of homelessness and include: the creation of the Philadelphia Soul Charitable Foundation, the launch of a limited edition outerwear collection with Kenneth Cole New York (with proceeds benefiting HELP USA), partnering with Project HOME in Philadelphia and a sustained partnership with Habitat for Humanity that has thus far provided 49 families with a place to call home. Please visit www.bonjovi.com .

Jon Bon Jovi's partnerships:

Jon Bon Jovi and Kenneth Cole's partnership began in October 2006 with a collaborative, limited-edition outerwear collection. The line became available at Kenneth Cole retail stores and Saks Fifth Avenue stores last November. As Kenneth Cole introduces his newest fragrance, R.S.V.P., Jon Bon Jovi's participation in the campaign is founded on the message of "responding to the call," to affect positive change. One hundred percent of the money raised from the "R.S.V.P. to HELP" fundraiser's ticket sales, donations, and auction will benefit Habitat For Humanity, HELP USA, and The Philadelphia Soul Charitable Foundation. Additionally, a portion of the proceeds from the sale of R.S.V.P. products will be donated to Habitat For Humanity, HELP USA, and the Philadelphia Soul Charitable Foundation.

Jon Bon Jovi announced the Phase V Homeownership Project in October 2006 at a press conference attended by President Clinton. By enhancing the work of Project Home in Philadelphia with assistance and funding from Habitat For Humanity, Saturn, and the Philadelphia Soul Charitable Foundation, the renovation of 15 deteriorated row-homes in one of North Central Philadelphia's most in-need neighborhoods was begun.

In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, Bon Jovi appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show with a surprise $1 million donation that has since been used by Oprah's Angel Network and Habitat For Humanity to build 28 homes in Houma, Louisiana.

Jon Bon Jovi, who has since been named Habitat For Humanity's first-ever Ambassador, first partnered with the organization in October 2005 when a Bon Jovi/Habitat build site of four homes (since increased to six homes) served as the video shoot location for their chart-topping, Grammy-nominated single, "Who Says You Can't Go Home."

Information on the beneficiaries:

Habitat for Humanity seeks to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world, and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action. Habitat for Humanity invites people of all backgrounds, races and religions to build houses together in partnership with families in need. Habitat for Humanity -- New York City transforms lives and our city by uniting all New Yorkers around the cause of decent, affordable housing for everyone.

HELP USA's mission is to empower the homeless and others in need to become and remain self-reliant. Through the development of quality housing with on site support services, HELP USA provides resources for its residents to become independent and productive.

The Philadelphia Soul Charitable Foundation exists to combat issues that force families and individuals into economic despair through the creation of programs and partnerships that break the cycle of poverty and homelessness. It is the organization's goal to offer assistance in establishing programs that provide for permanent, affordable housing while supporting social services and job training programs.

For information about the above organizations go to www.habitat.org , www.helpusa.org , and www.philadelphiasoul.com/community .

Posted by riesambo at January 27, 2007 08:30 PM