Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Diageo launches on-trade winter spirits campaign

Published: 28 October, 2014

Diageo is looking to help bartenders cash in on the 39% sales increase spirits enjoy in wintertime with a new campaign based on 'inspiring serves'.

Lock Stock's Guy Ritchie links up with David Beckham to make Haig whisky TV advert

Published: 17 October, 2014

Guy Ritchie, the UK film director behind Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels director and the recent Sherlock Holmes film series, has linked up with David Beckham to make the first TV advert for his new Haig Club whisky.

Diageo Q1 sales down, but hopes for full year growth

Published: 16 October, 2014

Spirits giant Diageo's first quarter organic net sales were down 1.5% thanks to weak emerging markets, the firm has said.

Diageo's Parrot Bay rum ad 'appeals to children' says ASA

Published: 15 October, 2014

Diageo's latest TV ad for rum brand Parrot Bay has fallen foul of the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), which deemed it to be irresponsible as it appealed to children and breached the code. The advert must not appear again in its current form.

David Beckham officially launches new Haig Club whisky globally

Published: 06 October, 2014

David Beckham officially launched Haig Club Scotch whisky today, which is produced by Diageo in partnership with the world famous footballer and British talent agent Simon Fuller.

Codorníu Raventós appoints senior Percy Fox exec to head UK business

Published: 03 October, 2014

John Hearn, global commercial director for Diageo's wine arm Percy Fox, is to become the new managing director of Codorníu Raventós in the UK.

Diageo's Justerini & Brooks appoints Cellina Chan to head Hong Kong office

Published: 25 September, 2014

Justerini & Brooks has appointed Cellina Chan as its new head of sales in Hong Kong with a view to growing its international client base.

Diageo's Smirnoff vodka launches £15m campaign

Published: 23 September, 2014

Smirnoff vodka has launched a £15 million marketing campaign - including TV advertising - in order to grow the category and make it more accessible.

Johnnie Walker Scotch whisky boosts golf ties ahead of Ryder Cup

Published: 18 September, 2014

Johnnie Walker Scotch whisky is boosting its golf ties ahead of next week's Ryder Cup by building a mini golf course at Gleneagles for fans to play.

An independent Scotland is bad news for Scotch whisky in short-term, says Rabobank

Published: 17 September, 2014

An independent Scotland will have a negative impact on the Scotch whisky industry in the short term, says a new report from Rabobank.

On-trade hit by decline in spirits sales across all venues

Published: 17 September, 2014

Declining year-on-year spirits sales in the on-trade will have brand owners hoping for a substantial pick up in the last few months of the year leading up to Christmas.

Diageo faces shareholder protests over executive bonuses at AGM

Published: 16 September, 2014

Diageo chiefs are bracing themselves for a tough ride at this Thursday's annual company meeting over a row with some investors over the levels of boardroom pay.

Pernod Ricard UK chief to be new WSTA chair

Published: 11 September, 2014

Pernod Ricard UK's managing director Denis O'Flynn has been selected as the new chairman of the Wine & Spirit Trade Association.

Diageo looks to tech start-ups to help drive innovation with Diageo Technology Ventures

Published: 09 September, 2014

Diageo is looking to harness the power of tech start-ups with its new Diageo Technology Ventures, in the hopes of identifying growth opportunities.

Stock Spirits H1 sales hit by Polish duty hikes

Published: 28 August, 2014

Stock Spirits saw revenues fall by 10% to €137.7 million as a 15% hike in Polish excise duty hit consumption levels in the six months to June 30.

Diageo 'disappointed' over Portman Group decision on Mix It Up Tonight promotion

Published: 21 August, 2014

Diageo has said it is 'disappointed' over a decision that its Mix it Up Tonight counter-top display unit breached marketing rules by encouraging irresponsible impulse purchases.

Diageo names Charles Joly World's Best Bartender

Published: 05 August, 2014

Diageo's sixth annual global world's best bartender competition came to a close last week with Charles Joly from the US beating 47 other mixologists in a week long series of challenges held across London.

The Week That Was: top news, Q&As and opinion on Harpers.co.uk

Published: 01 August, 2014

In case you missed some of the headlines this week on harpers.co.uk, we have done a review of the top online news, financial news for the drinks trade, Q&As, and opinion stories.

Your chance to see Jude Law put on his dancing shoes for new Johnnie Walker Blue film

Published: 01 August, 2014

Last month we gave you a sneak preview of British heart throb Jude Law's new new short film promoting Johnnie Walker Blue Label and now here is the real thing in all its glory.

Diageo to capture savings in 2015 from job cuts made this year

Published: 31 July, 2014

Diageo's ongoing restructure - aimed at cutting costs by £200 million by the end of 2017 - is likely to see a savings of £15 to £20 million based on this year's restructure in each region through staff and corporate costs.