Avon hires a 'Dreamgirl'

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Avon Products Inc, the world's largest direct seller of cosmetics, said Wednesday that it has signed Academy Award winner Jennifer Hudson as the face of its best selling fragrance.

Hudson, who recently won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her performance in "Dreamgirls", will be the exclusive spokesperson for the Imari fragrance brand, Avon's (down $0.08 to $36.78, Charts) No. 1 selling scent since it was launched 20 years ago.

"This is an honor for me and very flattering," Hudson said in a press release. "To partner with Avon is really a dream come true for me."

Hudson will appear in the cosmetics seller's brochure for both the classic Imari scent and Imari seduction. She was set to make her first Avon appearance later Wednesday at the United Nations in New York City for the Global Summit for a Better Tomorrow.

"With the success of 'Dreamgirls' and now an Oscar, it's been an incredible few months," Hudson said.

The newest scent, Imari Seduction, will go on sale in August in the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic and also on the company's Web site.

Avon competitors include cosmetics and fragrance makers Estee Lauder (up $0.03 to $47.22, Charts), L'Oreal (up $0.30 to $20.55, Charts), and Kimberly-Clark (down $0.31 to $67.18, Charts).

Oscar$: No love, no money?

Kylie Minogue selected for H&M campaign