Diageo has announced, as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), its 2020 World Class Bartender of the Year Global Final, due to be hosted in Sydney in September, and 2020 World Class Bartender of the Year Australia will be postponed to 2021.

Andrew Oughton, Diageo Australia Marketing & Innovation Director, said: “It’s immensely disappointing for all of us at Diageo Australia to confirm the postponement of the Diageo 2020 World Class Global Final in Sydney this year but it’s absolutely the right call to make. This means that unfortunately the Australian 2020 World Class Bartender of the Year competition will also be postponed.”

“To our friends in Australia’s bar industry, I want you to know that just because we can’t host the World Class Global Final this year, we won’t be walking away from supporting the on-premise in the challenging months we all face ahead. We’re already looking at other ways Diageo can celebrate and support the exceptional bars and talent in Australia in 2020 and we can’t wait for Sydney to host the World Class Global Final when it returns in 2021.”

Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson and his premium, small-batch tequila, Teremana, are returning their annual “Guac on The Rock” initiative, but this year, running the campaign for the entire month of May.

In it’s fourth year, the campaign allows fans to celebrate Cinco de Mayo with friends and family while continuing to support their local restaurants and enjoying the classic combination of tequila and guacamole.

This year, the brand will reimburse restaurant goers for their guac when they purchase any Teremana® Tequila cocktail with an order of guacamole from May 1st through May 31st.

“For Cinco de Mayo and my birthday this year, I’m happy that the Guac will be on the Rock for a full month,” says Teremana® Tequila Founder, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.

“It’s a testament to Teremana’s incredible success that we can give back to our tremendous bars and restaurants and our loyal fans for a fourth year in a row, in an even bigger way than before. I can’t wait to see more people come together to support our nation’s hospitality workers and say thank you by raising a Teremana® Toast and participating in Guac on the Rock!”

The annual “Guac On The Rock” tradition is part of Teremana Tequila’s efforts to Share the Mana. Mana is at the heart of the brand, propelling it to bring good energy, bring people together, and do the right thing.

Consumers 21 and over who purchase a Teremana cocktail with an order of guacamole will be reimbursed up to $10.

To learn more about the initiative, and to find restaurants and bars that carry Teremana, head to guacontherock.com.

Global liqueur brand Grand Marnier is collaborating with Grammy-winning rapper 2 Chainz to launch its new digital content series, The Rouge Room.

Celebrating the power of unexpected collaborations, the Rouge Room has been designed to provide a consistent visual space where the brand can bring contemporary Grand Encounters to life year after year.

Born out of our proprietary blend of cognac and orange liqueur, Grand Marnier is itself a representation of two disparate entities coming together to form something incredible.

This premise will allow The Rouge Room to create a starting point for different collaborators to explore cultural relevance through storytelling and content.

In the inaugural iteration, Grand Marnier has joined forces with 2 Chainz to blend two distinct worlds, united by a mutual dedication to creativity and passion.

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Renowned as one of the most prolific collaborators in the music industry, 2 Chainz embodies the very essence of a Grand Encounter. His exceptional talent seamlessly enhances the work of his partners, resulting in a harmonious fusion of creativity and artistry.

“I’ve always been a Margarita fan,” explained 2 Chainz, “but I found the secret ingredient that makes the classic even better: Grand Marnier.

“I tried a Grand Marnier Quintessence margarita a few years back on my show ‘Most Expensivest’ and let me tell you that blend of cognac and orange is pure magic. It’s a whole vibe upgrade for your margarita and drink style,” he continued.

Mirroring the interior of a Grand Marnier bottle, The Rouge Room is colour-drenched in the rich hues of Grand Marnier red. 2 Chainz takes centre stage to showcase how the blend of Grand Marnier’s key ingredients can elevate the classic Margarita to new heights for Cinco de Mayo and beyond.

“Teaming up with 2 Chainz for the launch of The Rouge Room content series allows us to forge deeper connections with consumers seeking new ways to savour and sip Grand Marnier,” said Andrea Sengara, Vice President of Marketing for Campari America.

“This series not only highlights the blend of fine cognac and orange liqueur but also invites consumers to reimagine their cocktail experience, from elevating the classic margarita to sparking inspiration and discovering their own unique ways of enjoying Grand Marnier.”

Director Ray Neutron captured the creative, with complementary visuals from Breyona Holt. 2 Chainz’s bold look—a custom rouge suit—was curated by stylist Erik Ziemba. Together, this blending of creatives from diverse backgrounds built a Grand Encounter in itself to produce content that truly speaks to how Grand Marnier enhances the cocktail experience.

The unexpected encounter that defines Grand Marnier will also come to life across the US for consumers 21+ as part of the brand’s ‘Encounters on Road’ event series and dedicated presence at the 2024 Roots Picnic, one of the summer’s most highly anticipated festivals, on June 1st and 2nd in Philadelphia.

To check out The Rouge Room content series, head to @grandmarnierusa.

Global Bourbon brand Wild Turkey has announced Warren Zeiders as the headliner for its third annual 101 Bold Nights concert series.

“I’m excited to team up with Wild Turkey to support those who go after their dreams,” Zeiders says. “Beyond the notes and words, music is all about bringing people together and finding your crew. The songwriters and fans all have so many stories and ideas, and I’m happy to partner with Wild Turkey to continue to help bring everyone together.”

As part of the partnership, Zeiders – who recently won his first CMT Music Award – will perform at a series of three concerts hosted by Wild Turkey, in partnership with iHeartMedia, to benefit Spaceflight Records, a nonprofit record label that helps empower emerging artists and music professionals to trust their spirit and advance their careers.

Zeiders embodies the idea behind Wild Turkey’s global campaign and platform, “Trust Your Spirit” – that music-making, much like Wild Turkey’s iconic bourbon-making process, is most authentic when artists trust their instincts and do things their own way.

He was a star collegiate athlete when he released his debut single “Ride the Lightning,” which launched his career overnight.

“We launched 101 Bold Nights as a way to tell the bold stories of artists that share Wild Turkey’s trailblazing spirit, and through this concert series, we’re also able to support emerging musicians who are committed to following their passions,” said Andrea Sengara, Vice President of Marketing, Campari America.

“The idea was inspired by the steadfast dedication and conviction of the people who built Wild Turkey and its legacy. That same passion and commitment exists across all industries, and we’re excited to celebrate it with this initiative. It’s been an honour to partner with musicians, such as Warren Zeiders, who authentically embody Wild Turkey’s bold spirit.”

Fans and music lovers ages 21+ can join Wild Turkey and iHeartMedia for a performance from Zeiders at the first 2024 101 Bold Nights concert in Charlotte, NC on Wednesday, May 29. Fans can enter Wild Turkey and iHeartMedia’s sweepstakes to win tickets to the show by visiting news.iheart.com/101boldnights/.

Additional 101 Bold Nights concerts will be held in Los Angeles and Austin later this year, and Wild Turkey will be curating fan experiences at several more of Zeiders’ existing 2024 tour stops in select markets.

For more information on events, dates, and venues, fans can visit the Wild Turkey website to sign up for the brand’s community newsletter or connect with the brand on Instagram (@wildturkey).

Global Tequila Brand Don Julio has teamed up with Sony Music Latin artists to introduce ‘A Summer of Mexicana‘  to celebrate and highlight inspiring Mexican creatives who live Por Amor.

With the meteoric rise of Música Mexicana, Tequila Don Julio will bring modern Mexico to the mainstage through a series of summer concerts featuring artists, including award-winning singer-songwriter Christian Nodal, as well as performances on Jimmy Kimmel’s Summer Stage and an in-app Spotify program that will encourage further shareability of this growing genre.

“With the introduction of ‘A Summer of Mexicana‘ we continue to toast those who live Por Amor and uphold Don Julio González’s legacy of passion and dedication to craft,” says Karen Harris, Vice President of Tequila Don Julio. “As a brand born from Mexico, we strive to celebrate the rich and vibrant culture of modern Mexico and look forward to spotlighting these talented creatives.”

Kicking off in May, Tequila Don Julio is bringing ‘A Summer of Mexicana’ to life through a series of immersive experiences including:

• ‘A Summer of Mexicana’ Tour: Mexican artists have influenced the music industry as Música Mexicana has become one of the most popular genres among mainstream listeners. Tequila Don Julio and Sony Music Latin artists are coming together for a private concert series this summer featuring some of Sony Music Latin artists hottest musicians who are taking over the charts – making stops in Houston featuring celebrated singer-songwriter Christian Nodal, Los Angeles, and a stop in Chicago during the Sueños Music Festival.
• Jimmy Kimmel Live Concert Series: To further showcase the beauty of Música Mexicana and the Latin genre as a whole, Tequila Don Julio will highlight breakthrough musicians on Jimmy Kimmel Live’s Concert Series, starting with a performance from Christian Nodal followed by talented artists throughout the summer.
• Personalized Playlists: Spotify, the world’s #1 streaming platform, and Tequila Don Julio are bringing Música Mexicana to the center of summer celebrations with personalized playlists custom created according to each listeners preferred vibes. With Latin music now the 4th biggest collection of genres on Spotify, there’s something for everyone – whether lounging poolside or celebrating a night out with your crew.
• ‘A Summer of Mexicana’ Artist Edition: Tequila Don Julio Blanco and Tequila Don Julio Reposado take center stage as Mexican illustrator Dia Pacheco has teamed up with the brand to release the ‘A Summer of Mexicana’ Artist Edition available just in time for Cinco de Mayo and through the summer season. Each carefully drawn box design showcases vibrant symbols of Mexico reminiscent of Pacheco’s own experience growing up in the colorful town of Merida, Yucatán. The limited-edition Tequila Don Julio Blanco and Tequila Don Julio Reposado artist boxes are sold for an SRP of $44.99 and $49.99 for standard 750ml bottles at select retailers nationwide including online at ReserveBar and Caskers while supplies last.

To continue to uplift those who live Por Amor, the Tequila Don Julio Fund is partnering with charity organizations at each concert stop in Houston, Chicago and Los Angeles to support communities of emerging creatives beginning with The Houston Art Alliance, a local arts and culture organization whose principal work is to implement the City of Houston’s vision, values, and goals for its arts grantmaking and civic art investments.

A grand total of $500K will be donated to national and local charities throughout the summer leading up to Mexican Independence Day on September 16^th. To learn more about the Tequila Don Julio Fund visit donjulio.com/fund.