Club president Alan Nichols says: “I am pleased to announce an important sponsorship and licensing agreement between The Explorers Club and Diageo, owner of the Johnnie Walker brand. We welcome Johnnie Walker as a corporate sponsor of The Explorers Club, and salute Diageo for their support of our crucial world mission.
“The agreement, which settles ongoing litigation between The Explorers Club and Diageo, is the culmination of an intensive effort by the leadership of the Club and its lawyers at Boies, Schiller & Flexner LLP: Josh Schiller; John Dema, himself a club member; and Ben Margulis.
“Under the agreement, Diageo will license The Explorers Club trademark for use in the Johnnie Walker Explorers’ Club Collection. The Explorers Club will be directly incorporated into the promotion of the product line, providing a unique global opportunity to raise awareness of the legacy and mission of the Club and its members.
“This agreement ensures the continued protection of the history, tradition, and strength of The Explorers Club name and trademarks, and the sponsorship serves as an extraordinary new platform for The Explorers Club as the World Center for Exploration,” says Nichols.
The Manhatten-based club, that boasts astronaut Neil Armstrong among its members filed a lawsuit against Diageo, claiming the drinks giant had taken its name without permission and profited from it.
A New York judge ruled in favour of Explorers. Now comes news that Diageo has settled out of court. Unsurprisingly, details have not been released. The world’s number one premium spirits company has not issued a statement.
