Graeme McDowell, the Northern Ireland golfer who won the US Open golf tournament last weekend, is a global ambassador for Ballantine’s, the world’s number two scotch whisky.
Having held off the likes of Tiger Woods, Phil Mickleson and Ernie Els, McDowell is said to be celebrating with a bottle of rare Ballantine’s Championship Blend which he co-created with Ballantine’s master blender, Sandy Hyslop.
McDowell said: “Ballantine’s has always been a lucky charm for me and since my 2008 Ballantine’s Championship win in Korea I’ve played some of the best golf of my life. I said I would open my very special bottle of The Ballantine’s Championship Blend either on the birth of my first child, or my first major win – Pebble Beach came first.”
McDowell is the first European in 40 years to win the US Open. While McDowell wears the Pernod Ricard brand logo on his left sleeve, he has also represented Ballantine’s at many events since winning The Ballantine’s Championship title in Korea in 2008. These include becoming the first person ever to collaborate with a Ballantine’s master blender on the creation of the 2009 Championship Blend and the launch of the 2010 Championship Blend, which celebrated 50 years since Ballantine’s was first involved with international golf. [...more]
United Wineries has appointed a new commercial director to its UK team. The company plans to bolster its Spanish and Italian imports.
John Leech comes from Boutinot (Meridian Wines), where he was responsible for the specialised Italian and Iberian division as sole senior national accounts manager, looking after brands such as Italia. [...more]
Concha y Toro, South America’s leading wine producer, has become the official wine partner of Manchester United Football Club.
The company says the agreement aims to raise awareness of Concha y Toro and its brands worldwide, with particular focus on the key markets of Asia, Latin America, Eastern and Northern Europe.
The partnership gives Concha y Toro the opportunity to align itself globally with probably the best known football team in the world.
Among the benefits for Concha y Toro will be digital board advertising at Old Trafford stadium during home games which are televised around the world, advertising space in the club’s own communications media and co-branded marketing communications. The alliance also allows Concha y Toro to have presence with its wines in the stadium’s lounges, boxes, bars as well as the possibility to invite its VIP customers to team games. [...more]
The Edrington Group has appointed a new area director for global travel retail.
Steven Sleigh has worked at Edrington for 18 years, most recently as area director for UK domestic and Benelux. He will now take the position as area director for global travel retail.
As well as its whisky brands, travel retail also forms a key part of Edrington's strategy for its recent acquisition, Brugal rum.
Sleigh said: "This is an exciting time for Edrington and we are finalising plans to expand our team to take advantage of the many opportunities in the travel retail category. We have an unrivalled portfolio of premium brands and I am looking forward to ensuring that they achieve their maximum potential in international duty free markets. Travel retail will become an even more important part of our future and we are well placed to achieve our growth aspirations." [...more]
Diageo has appointed a control states executive. Lynn Walding will take up the post of executive director control states effective immediately. Walding has recently stepped down as administrator of the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division.
This new position will support Diageo's critical social responsibility, responsible drinking, and corporate citizenship activities within the control state community.
Walding will work for Guy Smith, executive vice president, corporate relations and Ken Lane, vice president, state government affairs, and will be part of the control state leadership team under the direction of Mark Hubler, president, control states. [...more]
The Edrington Group has appointed a new brand controller for its newly acquired scotch whisky Cutty Sark.
Jason Craig, who was previously global controller with Highland Park single malt, has 20 years experience in advertising and marketing, specifically the scotch whisky industry.
Craig said: "This is an exciting time for Edrington and Cutty Sark. Having the opportunity to steer the future of a premium iconic brand with such a long and prestigious blended heritage is going to be a brilliant challenge." [...more]
Comedian Peter Kay is back as the face of John Smith's No Nonsense campaign for the first time in five years.
The first of three new TV ad hit screens over the bank holiday weekend during the Liverpool v Chelsea football match and once again concentrates on Kay's matter of fact humour.
In the ad, Kay's TV wife teases him about who his fantasy woman would be, offering him Kelly Brook or Tess Daly "on a plate".
Kay insists there's only "one lady" in his life until his wife says "I won't get upset, it's only a game".
At this point, Kay relents and admits his soft spot for "Claire, from work".
Silence falls on the party as Kay's mind wanders. [...more]
We are very pleased to welcome Jerry to the board of directors and believe his experience across a number of industries, including beverage alcohol, will provide excellent guidance and we look forward to the contributions he will make to the organization," said Constellation's Chairman of the Board Richard Sands.
Fowden joined Cott Corporation in 2007 and served in the company's international operating segments. He was named CEO in 2009. Prior to joining Cott, he managed European geographies for InBev, now ABInBev. Fowden resides in Tampa, Fla. [...more]
Foster's has appointed a former police officer to its board of directors.
Christine Nixon joined Foster's Group as a non-executive director at the beginning of April.
Foster's Chairman, David Crawford said: "On behalf of shareholders I am very pleased to welcome Christine to the Foster's Board.
"Christine's leadership, management experience and her strong community focus will be an asset at the Foster's Board table."
After a career in the NSW and Victorian Police force, Nixon became Victoria's first female chief commissioner, leading a team of 14,000 staff and managing a $1.7 billion budget for eight years before her retirement in February 2009. [...more]
Peter Kay is to return as the face of John Smith's ale.
He will make his first appearance as the face of the brand he previously represented between 2002 and 2005 today when he presents the winner's trophy at the John Smith's Grand National at Aintree.
Brand-owner Heineken UK said the comedian's previous No Nonsense campaign for the brand, which featured the "Ave it!" football and "Top Bombing!" diving adverts, had been one of the most popular advertising campaigns in the world.
"They won international awards and genuine affection in the hearts and minds of the nation," said Gareth Turner, senior brand manager. "We're living through some of the toughest times that anyone can remember and there's never been a better time to champion a return to the values of no nonsense, straight-talking and we know Peter Kay is the perfect man for the job." [...more]
Richard Brancik, the captain of the Olomouc ice hockey team in the Czech Republic, has worked a shift at the Radegast Brewery, having lost a bet.
Before the big league play-offs started, Mr Brancik made a bet with Petr Kouble, a representative of the Radegast Brewery, on whether the Kohouti team would make it to the finals.
As the team lost, Brancik had to exchange his ice hockey equipment for utility gloves, and jersey for a reflective vest.
He joined the beer distribution and loading team and had the responsibility of preparing pallets of beer for customers.
"I was guessing I wouldn't get a desk job with a comfortable chair. But I don't mind physical work, so I was okay with it," said Mr Brancik.
Back in February, when Mr Brancik agreed to the bet, he said he hoped that, if he lost it, he could be given something interesting to do at the brewery: "Maybe I would be good as a taster, I certainly know good beer." [...more]
Absolut vodka has teamed up with hip hop star Jay-Z to bring consumers a 14 minute documentary about the music star.
‘NY-Z’ looks at the life of New-Yorker Shawn ‘Jay-Z’ Carter as he prepares for his September 11th (2009) benefit concert at Madison Square Garden.
According to Absolut, the collaboration between Jay-Z and Absolut “reinforces the brand’s pioneering and culture-shaping credentials”. Absolut began its collaborations with artists in the 1980’s when the brand worked with Andy Warhol and Keith Haring.
Jay-Z’s Madison Sq Garden performance was part of the Absolut concert series. [...more]
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