Zippo Lights up the Caribbean

Join the Design-a-Lighter Contest

Bradford, PA, February 16, 2006 – No matter where you call home, from Copenhagen to Canada to the Caribbean, count on the simple pleasure of a hobby to connect people. Whether it’s a cookbook collection, pocket lighter assortment, or postcards from great get-a-ways, almost everyone has a passion for collecting. 

Zippo, maker of the world-famous pocket lighter, announces the first-ever Caribbean Design-a-Lighter contest. “Nothing surpasses the beauty of the Caribbean, “said Jose Goris, Zippo Latin America sales manager. “More than 400 Zippo lighters are adorned with a Caribbean theme.”

Would you like to add your personal island design to the mix? Any and all Zippo fans are invited to participate. Winners will receive an imprinted Zippo lighter sporting their special artwork and a one-year membership in Zippo Click Collectors Club, including a free subscription to Click magazine. The winning designs will be manufactured by Zippo for sale in 2007. A sterling silver lighter, with a retail value of $160, will be awarded to entrants whose designs are among the top three selling pocket lighters.

While Zippo fans span the world, it’s the Zippo Click Collectors Club that unites them. There are 4 million Zippo collectors and several of them are Click members representing the Caribbean. “We recently surveyed our members around the world to see what they loved most about Zippo,” said Kathy Jones, Zippo Click Collectors Club administrator. “Nearly five percent said they have a collection of more than 1,000 lighters, and one member had invested $20,000 in one year on his collection.”

Whether you own a dozen Zippo lighters – or none at all – you can still join the competition. No need to be a Zippo Click Collectors Club member to experience the fun in designing a Caribbean-themed lighter. Simply recall your favorite island theme and start drawing. Hurry, the contest ends June 30.

Zippo’s Caribbean distributor, Goris Group, Miami, is sponsoring the Caribbean Design-a-Lighter contest. To participate, stop by any of the following Caribbean retailers to pick up your entry form and receive a free Zippo Caribbean tattoo and pencil. Not in the Caribbean? Visit zippoclick.com to download a printable form. Submit all designs to: Zippo Caribbean Contest, 66 W. Flagler Street, Suite 1001, Miami, FL 33131.

Zippo retailers across the Caribbean are participating in the contest, including:

• Dominican Republic: LaCasa del Puro, Bayahibe Cigars, Bijou Dominicana, Lou Lou Mardi, Deli Gourmet
• St. Maarten: Gulmohar's, Friendly Duty Free, Kenny's Duty Free, Regency, Cigar Emporium
• St, Barth's: Couleurs des Iles
• Dominica: Smooke & Booze, Universal Elegance
• Virgin Islands: Virgin Island Brewing, Ramada Enterprises, Club Cigar , Tobacco Discounter, Caribbean Market Place, Caribana,  Steels, Smokes & Sweets, Keinny Tees, Quick Picks
• Barbados: Cave Shepherd
• Aruba: Cigar Emporium, La Casa del Habano
• Curacao: Little Holland, L'Amiga
• Antigua: The Liquor Shop, Quinn Farara
• Bahamas: John Bull Ltd.
• Bermuda: Pitt & Company
• Jamaica: Rum, Roast & Royals Cigar, Jamaica Farewell, Taj Gift Center, Swiss Stores
• Cayman Islands: Island Companies Co.

About Zippo

Zippo Manufacturing Company, founded in 1932, is a leading global marketer of refillable windproof pocket and utility lighters with an unparalleled lifetime guarantee. Based in Bradford, Pa., the company and its 800 employees manufacture and distribute products to more than 120 countries. Zippo also owns W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery Company, one of America’s oldest and finest cutlery manufacturers, and Zippo Fashion Italia, maker of Italian fashion leather goods. For more information about Zippo please visit zippo.com.