Celebrities and brands: do star endorsements and link-ups really work?

News that David Beckham is to put his name to a new whisky is just the latest in a series of celebrity drink endorsements. But, Richard Foster asks, do such link-ups guarantee good sales?

Stars in their aisles

News that David Beckham is to put his name to a new whisky is just the latest in a series of celebrity drink endorsements. But, Richard Foster asks, do such link-ups guarantee good sales?

Emporia halts imports of Russian Legend of Kremlin vodka as Ukraine tensions escalate

Drinks distributor Emporia Brands has called a halt to imports of the Russian Parliament's official vodka Legend of Kremlin as the dispute between the European Union and Russian Federation continues.

Cellar Trends' sales director Malcolm Rigby retires

Cellar Trends' sales director Malcolm Rigby is to retire after a 15-year career at the drinks distributor.

Jägermeister to leave Cellar Trends and set up its own UK distribution company

Drinks trade on track to remove 1 billion units of alcohol

The drinks industry is on track to remove 1 billion units of alcohol from the market by the end of 2015, according to a report by the Department of Health.

Hawthorn's gin hits supermarket shelves

Spirits distributor 180East has launched gin brand Hawthorn's into the off-trade this month, with the first bottles landing on Sainsbury's shelves next week.

Suntory to lose three key Beam executives

Beam Inc, which is in the final stages of being acquired by Suntory Holdings Ltd, has reported its chief financial officer and two other executives have announced their intention to resign.

US approval of powdered alcohol in doubt

Approvals for sale of powdered alcohol in the US were issued in error, a federal representative has stated.

Dewar's whisky gets new look

Future of global rum category up for debate

Two of the leading personalities within the spirits industry will openly debate the future of the global rum category in London next month for the latest annual Distillers Debate organised by the Worshipful Company of Distillers.

Sipsmith expands distillery to west London

Gin distillery Sipsmith is expanding from its original base in Hammersmith to a larger facility in Chiswick, west London. 

Rémy Cointreau warns profits may slump by 40%

Rémy Cointreau has warned that full year profits may plummet by 35 to 40%, thanks to a fall in Chinese sales.

Scotch whisky exports hold steady, despite Chinese decline

Scotch whisky exports held steady in 2013 at £4.3 billion, despite a sharp drop off in China, according to figures the Scotch Whisky Association.

Gun-shaped vodka bottle breaks marketing rules

Red Army Vodka, packaged in a gun-shaped bottle, has been ruled "entirely inappropriate" for suggesting a link towards violent and dangerous behaviour.

Bacardi's chief abruptly retires

Bacardi's chief executive Ed Shirley is to retire and will leave the role after just two years and with no successor named.

Brown-Forman may acquire Whyte & Mackay, not Rémy Cointreau

Last week Rémy Cointreau' stocks spiked on speculation that Brown-Forman was a possible interested buyer, however reports have surfaced that Brown-Forman is a possible bidder for the Whyte & Mackay business which is currently up for sale.

Drinkaware accuses trade of not doing enough to promote unit guidelines

Drinkaware says consumers are confused over unit guidelines and called on the industry to do more.

Quintessential acquires First Ireland cream liqueurs firm

Quintessential Brands has acquired First Ireland Spirits Company, Ireland's largest independent producer of Irish cream liqueurs, in a multi-million euro deal.

Get your five a day with new vegetable cocktail range

Those struggling to get through their five or seven fresh vegetables a day might want to try a new range of vegetable cocktails from mixologist Thomas Weinberger of Barschule München.