News Briefs for January 17, 2024
January 17, 2025•Jim Beam has unveiled a new campaign aimed at football fans, which is a humorous take on the woes of post-game defeat. It’s a partnership with comedian, writer, and producer Keegan-Michael Key, who’s best known as a co-star in the comedy series “Key & Peele.” His involvement isn’t a straightforward name-on-a-bottle partnership, but is centered around a humorous play on the seven stages of grief dubbed the “7 Stages of Defeat.” Whisky Advocate has more.
•Southern Glazer’s has announced that Webb Banks, its brokerage operations division servicing the Caribbean, Central and South America, will officially rebrand as Southern Glazer’s Travel Retail Sales & Export Division. Additionally, Webb CEO Andy Consuegra has been named non-executive chairman for the renamed unit, while Kam Snow, Webb’s vice president of sales, will assume the new role of vice president/general manager and will report directly to Scott Oppenheimer, Southern Glazer’s president, East Region. Southern Glazer’s acquired Webb Banks in 2023 for an undisclosed sum.
•The Louisville, Kentucky-based Buzzard’s Roost whiskey brand is entering six new markets, bringing its total to 25 U.S. markets plus Alberta, Canada. The new states include Alabama and Mississippi (distributed by Mad Vines), California (Collier Barnett), Iowa (Johnson Brothers), Michigan (Imperial Beverage), and New Hampshire (Ruby Wines). Meanwhile, the Buzzard’s Roost portfolio in Indiana is now represented by Johnson Brothers, in a move expected to drive growth in that market. All Buzzard’s Roost whiskeys are second-barrel aged and bottled at Bardstown Bourbon Company.
•Bacardi Ltd is donating $100,000 to the American Red Cross to help people affected by the 2025 California wildfires. In addition, the family-owned company is mobilizing pallets of water to assist first responders on the front lines. With the help of partners, the Red Cross has provided more than 20,000 meals and snacks, along with relief items, including hygiene supplies, for thousands of affected families. Separate from this donation, Bacardi is providing support to its people directly impacted through relief assistance, flexible work schedules, and free counseling services.
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