Diageo Australia has had a strong year in terms of growth, innovation and investment. The business opened the new Bundaberg Rum Visitor Experience in Queensland, launched a $20 million investment into the RTD category, continued to advocate on responsible drinking and Australia’s nighttime economy, and leveraged on long-term partnerships with the NRL and celebrity Matt Preston. The business also saw a cha…

One year on from the mesmerising images of Kate Hudson, Campari is shaking things up, leaving behind its highly-anticipated annual Calendar and releasing a series of short films instead. The Campari Red Diaries is a 12-part series, which will be released on a month by month basis. The first in the series has been created by award-winning actor, Clive Owen, and internationally renowned Director, Paolo Sorr…

The Australian edition of the Patron Perfectionist Cocktail Competition is set to be held next Tuesday, 18 October at The Island in Sydney. Over the last few weeks, the brand has been working its way through over 115 entries to select the top ten finalists who will compete for a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the Hacienda Patrón in Mexico. The finalists include: Mitchell Gurrin from The Dominion League, WA…

Bacardi has launched a new campaign that supports Australia’s nightlife and its key cultural influencers. Through a series of events in Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne and a three-part video series, the brand will challenge the issues the industry is currently facing by showcasing the positive side of Australia’s nightlife. Between October and December this year, Bacardi will partner with some of Australi…

The Top 50 bartenders through to the finals of the 2016/2017 Bacardi Legacy Global Cocktail Competition in Australia have been announced. According to the judges, this year’s competition received a record number of entries. Bacardi Brand Ambassadors, Loy Catada, Sean Forsyth and Andy Wren selected the Top 50 based on the ability of their cocktails to stand the test of time as a Legacy, alongside drinks su…

Diageo Australia has released a statement to the New South Wales Government on its position on the proposed container deposit scheme, calling for all spirits-based drinks to be exempt. Currently, ‘spirits in glass containers’ are exempt from the scheme but not liqueurs. The business is calling for the Government to align itself with South Australia’s scheme, where all ‘spirituous liquor’ (including liqueu…

Pernod Ricard has announced a new team structure for its Scotch whisky and premium gin business, Chivas Brothers, including changes to the positions of current Master Blenders Colin Scott and Sandy Hyslop. Several new faces have also joined the team, while others have moved up in positions to help take the business into its next phase of growth and begin to pass on the traditions and techniques at Chivas …

The famous Bundy R Bear is set to return to screens across the country in a new television commercial for the new Lazy Bear RTD. Viewers would have been able to catch a glimpse of the brand’s iconic mascot on 23 September when the TVC aired for the first time with the NRL preliminary finals. (You may also be interested in Diageo’s $20M investment in the RTD category ). The new commercial, which promotes …

Belvedere Vodka has partnered with John Legend in a new campaign called #MAKETHEDIFFERENCE, which aims to raise money to fight HIV/AIDS in Africa. Belvedere Vodka and the legendary artist have come together to create a limited edition bottle, designed by well-known Ndebele and South African artist, Esther Mahlangu. The bottle is currently being sold through Dan Murphy’s with 50 per cent of the profits go…

Johnnie Walker has announced the release of its limited edition experimental whisky series entitled the Blender’s Batch, inspired by its blending team’s endless pursuit of flavour. Master blender, Dr Jim Beveridge, brings to the series over 40 years of experience. Beveridge and his team have experimented throughout the blending process, focussing on the development and understanding of alternate flavours….