BOMBAY SAPPHIRE(R) Searches for the Hottest New Designers to Compete in Annual Designer Glass Competition

NEW YORK, Feb. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- BOMBAY SAPPHIRE(R) gin, the fastest growing gin in the world, is seeking the hottest new designers to compete in the 2008 BOMBAY SAPPHIRE Designer Glass Competition, an international award for new and emerging talent. The challenge is to re-create the traditional martini glass drawing on inspiration from the BOMBAY SAPPHIRE brand. The competition will run from February 25 until April 7, 2008.

BOMBAY SAPPHIRE and the Designer Glass Competition have been recognized as the front runner for discovering new talent and helping to launch design careers. This year's winner will receive the possible career making opportunity of a lifetime -- an internship with designer to the stars, Sami Hayek. Designers from around the United States, who are 25 years of age or older, are eligible to enter the competition by visiting www.designerglasscompetition.com and following the complete contest rules. The winning designer's glass will be created and the winner will travel to the London Design Festival in September in 2008 to compete in the seventh annual global final of the competition, where the glass will be viewed by top experts in the world of design. The winner will receive a prize of $3,000 in gift certificates, the first runner up will receive $2,000 in gift certificates and the second runner up will receive $1,000.

The competition is challenging because entries are judged according to functionality, innovation, aesthetics and inspiration derived from the BOMBAY SAPPHIRE brand. Judges for this year's competition include: internationally acclaimed industrial designer, Sami Hayek; Senior Editor at Metropolitan Home Magazine, Arlene Hirst; VP of Marketing and Merchandising for Baccarat, Brent McDaneld; and award winning furniture designer, Jason Miller.

In conjunction with BOMBAY SAPPHIRE gin's Designer Glass Competition, consumers (age 21 and above) also have the opportunity to vote for their favorite martini glass through the People's Prize Award by visiting www.designerglasscompetition.com. BOMBAY SAPPHIRE recognizes and embraces the explosion in consumer fascination with design. This competition lets them participate and have a voice in the creative process of re-defining the classic martini glass. The winner of the People's Prize Award will receive an at-home mixology session with BOMBAY SAPPHIRE gin's U.S. Master Mixologist, James Moreland.

BOMBAY SAPPHIRE gin senior brand manager, Christine Moll comments, "We are delighted to have the opportunity to encourage emerging designers to create inspirational work using glass. Raising awareness of up-and-coming designers is an essential element of our association with design and supports our wider aim of celebrating and advancing innovative design."

BOMBAY SAPPHIRE gin has been linked with the world of design for nearly 20 years. The brand's close relationship with the design community began when internationally acclaimed designers were commissioned to create the ultimate martini cocktail glass inspired by BOMBAY SAPPHIRE gin. Since then, respected designers like Karim Rashid, Marcel Wanders, Eva Zeisel and Yves Behar have all created BOMBAY SAPPHIRE gin inspired martini cocktail glasses. The success and interest generated by these one-of-a-kind glasses inspired BOMBAY SAPPHIRE gin to establish the BOMBAY SAPPHIRE Designer Glass Competition, an international event to support emerging designers from around the world.

About Bombay Sapphire

BOMBAY SAPPHIRE is the fastest growing super-premium gin in the United States. The combination of its ten unique botanicals, vapour infusion process and authentic British heritage secure BOMBAY SAPPHIRE as a leader among gins, as well as a symbol of style and sophistication. BOMBAY SAPPHIRE strongly supports inspired adult individuals who create passionate work in design, film and other artistic arenas. For more information, please visit www.bombaysapphire.com.

BE BRILLIANT AND INSPIRED. DRINK RESPONSIBLY! www.bombaysapphire.com

(C)2008 BOMBAY SAPPHIRE AND SAPPHIRE ARE REGISTERED TRADEMARKS.

IMPORTED BY THE BOMBAY SPIRITS COMPANY U.S.A., MIAMI, FL. GIN - 47% ALC. BY

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