Calling All Fashionistas: Sony and Microsoft Launch ‘My Graphic Splash’ PC Contest

 Celebrity Judges including TV Star and Clothing Designer Lauren Conrad to

                              Select Finalists



    SAN DIEGO, July 16 /EMWNews/ -- Taking personalization to the next

level, Sony and Microsoft today announced a competition that challenges

consumers to create designs for the lids of a new line of VAIO(R) Graphic

Splash notebooks.



    Starting today through Aug. 10, 2008, budding designers can submit

their proposed designs online at http://www.sony.com/mygraphicsplash along

with a photo of themselves and a brief message revealing their "style."



    "For many, notebooks are an extension of their personalities," said

Mike Abary, senior vice president of VAIO product marketing at Sony

Electronics. "And what better way to share your 'style' with the rest of

the world than on the most personal of devices -- the PC."



    A celebrity panel of judges, including television star and fashion icon

Lauren Conrad and visual artist and Graphic Splash notebook designer Maya

Hayuk, will select 10 finalists from the submissions.



    The finalist's one-of-a-kind PCs will be revealed at PROJECT Las Vegas

-- a high-end fashion event taking place at the end of August. Finalists

will receive a VAIO notebook emblazoned with their own art.



    "The PC is becoming a more personalized tool that enables consumers to

do more of what they love, in style," said Rick Wong, vice president of

multi-national and partner alliances for the original equipment

manufacturer division at Microsoft. "The My Graphic Splash contest enables

consumers to think about what is important to them and how they want to see

that reflected on their PC."



    The final 10 lid designs will also be posted online where

fashion-enthusiasts are urged to log on and vote for their favorite. The

three designs receiving the most votes will be deemed the winners.



    Winners will receive an all-expense-paid trip to New York, this

September, where they will unveil their artwork and meet the panel of

celebrity judges. Winning entries will be made into limited-edition VAIO

notebooks.



    The new VAIO My Graphic Splash notebook line will be available for sale

online at http://www.sony.com/pr/mygraphicsplash starting later this fall

for a limited time. For terms and conditions of the contest go to

http://www.sony.com/mygraphicsplash. No purchase necessary to enter to win.