News Briefs for October 24, 2011
October 24, 2011•The renowned Lawrenceburg, Indiana mega-distillery once owned by Seagram, then Pernod Ricard and most recently by CL Financial, is being sold again. CL struck a deal with MGP Ingredients, which will acquire the facility for about $15 million. Trinidad & Tobago-based CL bought the Lawrenceburg facility from Pernod Ricard in 2007 as part of its expansion in beverage alcohol. But CL was rocked by the global financial crisis in 2009 and was bailed out by Trinidad & Tobago’s government, which assumed control of the company. Atchison, Kansas-based MGP Ingredients specializes in naturally derived specialty ingredients and alcohol products, specifically grain neutral spirits and gin. “We’re extremely excited about the opportunity to acquire this distillery, which is one of the largest beverage alcohol distilleries in the world,” said MGP president and CEO Timothy Newkirk. “The purchase is in response to requests from our customers to supply them with high-quality whiskies and Bourbons, in addition to our premium vodkas and gins.” The sale is expected to close in early 2012.
•Constellation has tapped 180 Los Angeles (180LA) as the agency of record for both the Robert Mondavi and Kim Crawford brands. 180LA, a subsidiary of Omnicom Group, will handle brand strategy and creative execution for both brands. The agency expects to roll out its first campaigns for the brands in March of 2012, featuring advertising, digital, social and retail initiatives.
•Dr. Morris Chafetz died on October 14 at his home in Washington, D.C. He was 87. The founding director of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, during the 1970s and 1980s Chafetz served on numerous national boards and conferences that dealt with alcohol as a social issue. He pioneered the idea of educating children about responsible drinking and was a strong advocate of scientific studies that showed the benefits of moderate consumption.
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