SKYY® VODKA TOASTS GAY PRIDE
Posted: June 19th, 2009 under SKYY Corporate, SKYY Infusions, SKYY Vodka.
SKYY Vodka to Serve as Official Spirit of Gay Pride Festivals, Gay and Lesbian Film Festivals and many other LGBT Programs
SAN FRANCISCO, CA (June 17, 2009) – SKYY® Vodka has announced its increased support of events and programs supporting the national Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender communities and a cause near to their hearts, HIV awareness. For 2009, SKYY is devoted to developing and expanding its partnerships with numerous gay and lesbian organizations across the country, including the STOP AIDS Project in San Francisco, Frameline33 – San Francisco’s International LGBT Film Festival, Equality California, Heritage of Pride in New York, amfAR – The Foundation for AIDS Research, AIDS Project Los Angeles and the LGBT Center in New York.
“SKYY Vodka and the LGBT community have been supporting each other since our launch in 1992,” said Gerry Ruvo, Chairman and CEO of Skyy Spirits. “We are grateful to be able to participate in these unique partnerships and celebrate National Gay Pride Month from coast to coast in true SKYY Vodka style.”
In San Francisco, SKYY Vodka is proud to participate in the legendary showcase for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender cinema in this year’s Frameline33 – the San Francisco International LGBT Film Festival. As the Premier Sponsor, SKYY Vodka will be the exclusive spirit of Frameline33, pouring cocktails and providing support at both the festival and at other Frameline33 events throughout the year. Frameline33 runs from June 18-28, screening hundreds of films from over 20 countries during the eleven days of the festival, at the historic Castro Theatre, Roxie Theatre and the Victoria Theatre in San Francisco, and in Berkeley at Rialto Cinemas Elmwood. In honor of the festival, SKYY Vodka has created a signature cocktail, “The Frameline Passion,” made with All Natural SKYY InfusionsTM Passion Fruit, which will be sold in gay and lesbian bars and restaurants throughout San Francisco with proceeds going to support the Frameline Festival. Participating bars and restaurants include Mix Bar, Harvey’s, Midnight Sun, Lime, Q Bar, Badlands, Twin Peaks Tavern and the Eureka Restaurant and Lounge, all located in San Francisco’s Castro district. In addition to Frameline, SKYY Vodka is also the official spirit of San Francisco’s STOP AIDS Project, which just wrapped up its Dining Out for Life program where over 100 bars and restaurants participated to raise $225,000 for the pioneering HIV and AIDS awareness and prevention organization.
In New York, SKYY Vodka continues in its second year as the official spirit of Heritage of Pride, New York City’s official gay pride organization. As the official spirit, SKYY Vodka will be served at all Heritage of Pride events, including Rapture and Dance on the Pier. In honor of Heritage of Pride and other gay pride celebrations around the country, SKYY Vodka has collaborated with well-known entertainers in the LGBT community to create specialty cocktails. For Trannyshack founder Heklina, SKYY Vodka will promote “Heklina’s Ruby Sipper,” made with SKYY Infusions Pineapple. In honor of primetime star Candis Cayne, SKYY Vodka will feature the “Candis Cayne’s Kiss the Girl” with X-Rated® Fusion Liqueur® and SKYY Infusions Citrus. Celebrating Wigstock founder and legendary comedienne Lady Bunny, SKYY Vodka will highlight the “Lady Bunny’s Boy Chaser” with SKYY Infusions Grape.
In addition to these initiatives, SKYY Vodka will continue to support events for the LGBT community in several cities. This year SKYY Vodka has already partnered with several organizations, including AIDS Project Los Angeles, Equality California, Fusion, the Los Angeles LGBT People of Color Film Festival by Outfest, AIDS Community Research Initiative of America and amfAR.
About Skyy Spirits, LLC
Skyy Spirits, LLC is the US-based wholly owned subsidiary of Gruppo Campari Gruppo Campari (Reuters CPRI.MI – Bloomberg CPR IM) 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®, Wild Turkey® Straight Kentucky Bourbon, American HoneyTM, Russell’s Reserve®, 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.
About Gruppo Campari
Gruppo Campari is a major player in the global beverage sector, trading in over 190 nations around the world with a leading position in the Italian and Brazilian markets and a strong presence in the USA and Continental Europe. The Group has an extensive portfolio that spans three business segments: spirits, wines and soft drinks. In the spirits segment its internationally renowned brands, such as Campari, SKYY Vodka and Wild Turkey stand out. It also has leading regional brands including Aperol, Cabo Wabo, CampariSoda, Cynar, Glen Grant, Ouzo 12, X-Rated, Zedda Piras and the local Brazilian brands Dreher, Old Eight and Drury’s. Its wine segment boasts the global brand Cinzano, as well as important regional brands including Liebfraumilch, Mondoro, Odessa, Riccadonna, Sella & Mosca and Teruzzi & Puthod. The soft drinks segment comprises the non-alcoholic aperitif Crodino and Lemonsoda as well as its respective line extension dominating the Italian market. The Group employs over 2,000 people. The shares of the parent company, Davide Campari-Milano S.p.A. (Reuters CPRI.MI – Bloomberg CPR IM), are listed on the Italian Stock Exchange. www.camparigroup.com
Contact: pr@skyy.com
