SKYY SPIRITS ANNOUNCES PROMOTIONAL AND BENEFIT PARTNERSHIP WITH NEW MOVIE MILK
Posted: October 27th, 2008 under SKYY Corporate, SKYY Vodka.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA (October 27, 2008) – Skyy Spirits, a wholly owned subsidiary of Gruppo Campari and the definitive marketer and distributor of super-premium and luxury spirits brands in North America, announced today a comprehensive marketing deal to serve as the official spirits sponsor for the highly anticipated movie Milk. The Focus Features release is about real-life San Francisco hero Harvey Milk, the first openly gay man to be elected to major public office in the US. Skyy Spirits’ flagship product, SKYY® Vodka, will serve as the film’s official spirit partner.
“After successfully executing a very exciting film marketing program earlier this year with such projects as Sex and the City, we are thrilled to end the year supporting such a powerful and important film as Milk. It is a privilege to be working closely with Focus Features on a series of promotional activities to help honor someone from our own hometown of San Francisco as historically significant as Harvey Milk,” said Gerry Ruvo, Chairman and CEO of Skyy Spirits. “This partnership will not only allow us to engage millions of consumers and highlight our premium spirits brands, but equally as important, it provides us the opportunity to support the LGBT community.”
Skyy Spirits’ promotional partnership will include a Milk cocktail charity program conducted in bars and nightclubs for legal drinking age consumers located in San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, Washington DC and Chicago. From November 15th until December 15th, Skyy Spirits will promote the Milk signature cocktail, “Talk of the Castro,” an inspired blend of SKYY Vodka, raspberry liqueur, orange juice, lime, and mint. For every cocktail sold, Skyy Spirits will donate one dollar to LGBT organizations, including the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD).
The cocktail charity promotion will be advertised in local LGBT and nightlife print publications, as well as on-premise, and will feature an integrated ad highlighting SKYY Vodka while promoting the film’s release on November 26th (in select cities) and December 5th and 12th (in additional cities). Additionally, Skyy Spirits’ wide portfolio of brands will serve as the official spirits of the benefit world premiere of the film at San Francisco’s historic Castro Theatre on October 28th, followed by a post-premiere party at City Hall, where Harvey Milk made a difference as city supervisor.
Over the years, Skyy Spirits has demonstrated its strong commitment to the LGBT community through a variety of sponsorships, advertisements and charitable partnerships. Earlier this year, SKYY Vodka partnered with New Line Cinema for a multi-dimensional marketing campaign for the release of Sex and the City that included SKYY Vodka-sponsored charity screenings in Los Angeles and San Francisco benefitting AIDS Project Los Angeles, Stop AIDS and San Francisco AIDS Foundation. SKYY Vodka was one of the first spirits brands in the US to develop dedicated LGBT advertising and is a recognized supporter of such events as New York Gay Pride 2008.
About Milk
In 1977, Harvey Milk was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, becoming the first openly gay man to be voted into major public office in America. His victory was not just a victory for gay rights; he forged coalitions across the political spectrum. From senior citizens to union workers, Harvey Milk changed the very nature of what it means to be a fighter for human rights and became, before his untimely death in 1978, a hero for all Americans. Academy Award winner Sean Penn stars as Harvey Milk under the direction of Academy Award nominee Gus Van Sant in Milk, filmed on location in San Francisco from an original screenplay by Dustin Lance Black, and produced by Academy Award winners Dan Jinks and Bruce Cohen. The film also stars Emile Hirsch, Josh Brolin, Diego Luna, and James Franco.
About GLAAD
The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) is dedicated to promoting and ensuring fair, accurate and inclusive representation of people and events in the media as a means of eliminating homophobia and discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation. For more information, please visit www.glaad.org.
About Skyy Spirits, LLC
Skyy Spirits, LLC is the US-based wholly owned subsidiary of Gruppo Campari (Milan: CPR.MI) and the definitive marketer and distributor of super-premium and luxury spirits brands in North America. Launched in 1992 with the introduction of its flagship brand, SKYY® Vodka, Skyy Spirits has grown exponentially, building a portfolio unrivaled in its quality, innovation and style, making it a top choice among distributors, retailers and consumers. Skyy Spirits manages Gruppo Campari’s portfolio in the US of such leading brands as SKYY® Vodka, SKYY90®, SKYY InfusionsTM, Campari®, Cabo Wabo® Tequila, Ouzo 12®, X-Rated® Fusion Liqueur® and Jean-Marc XO Vodka®. Skyy Spirits is also the exclusive US distributor of Cutty Sark® Scotch Whisky, The Glenrothes® Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Bowmore® Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Auchentoshan® Lowland Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Glen Garioch® Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Flor de Caña® Rum, Carolans Irish Cream®, Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskey®, Irish Mist® Liqueur, Midori® Melon Liqueur, ZEN Green Tea Liqueur TM and The Yamazaki® Single Malt Whisky.
Skyy Spirits was founded and is headquartered in San Francisco, California. More information on the company can be found at www.skyyspirits.com and www.camparigroup.com. Please enjoy Skyy Spirits brands responsibly and in moderation.
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Contact: pr@skyy.com
