Diageo GB is repackaging Bell’s Special Reserve blended malt Scotch whisky to reposition the brand as an up-sell from Bell’s Original.   The new design will be launched in February and the bottle features brand icon Arthur Bell on the label, bringing Bell’s Special Reserve in-line with Bell’s…

Foster’s Europe Middle East and Africa (EMEA) marketing director James Lousada is leaving the company to join Constellation Europe.   Lousada will take the position of senior vice president marketing and business development, reporting directly into president Troy Christensen. Lousada will be responsible for consumer marketing and business development including innovation,…

Finlandia Vodka has broken a major milestone by hitting three million annual case-sales in December 2008. The Central and Eastern European markets have led the impressive performance. Finlandia managing director Maureen Brekka said: “Since Brown-Forman wholly purchased the Finlandia Vodka brand four years ago, we have seen double digit growth each year. “It took…

Diageo has announced plans to build a 20 million proof gallon rum distillery in St Croix. The company’s local operating company in the US Virgin Islands Diageo USVI, has selected a parcel of land, approximately 26 acres, in St. Croix to build a modern, environmentally sound distillery.

The Stop Diageo Now campaign follows Diageo’s plans to stop using rum facilities in Puerto Rico and start distilling their Captain Morgan brand on the US Virgin Islands. President and CEO of NPRC Rafael A Fantauzzi said: “If the Puerto Rican community on the island exercise their consumer purchasing power in support of an industry that has elevated our economy and our image in the…

Taylor’s, Croft and Fonseca Port owner Fladgate Partnership, plans to open a luxury wine spa hotel. The Yeatman is a 5 star hotel in Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal. Plans will be unveiled at the Monte Carlo Travel Market in Monaco from 9-11…

Indian wine company Champagne Indage has changed its name to Indage Vintners Ltd (IVL). The name change also means that the term ‘Champagne’ will no longer be used to describe IVL products. The company said the move is “to respect Intellectual Property Rights as part of the business’s amalgamation into the global trading community.”…