
The Spirits Business @spiritsbusiness 1 hour ago
Yum! Brands chief transformation and people officer Tracy Skeans has joined the Brown-Forman board of directors http://ow.ly/f05U30j5Tk6

The Spirits Business @spiritsbusiness 1 hour ago
Yum! Brands chief transformation and people officer Tracy Skeans has joined the Brown-Forman board of directors http://ow.ly/f05U30j5Tk6

Jorge Garduño, president of the company’s Japan business unit, said that there are plans to ”experiment” with Chu-Hi, a canned alcoholic drink popular in Japan.
“This is a canned drink that includes alcohol; traditionally, it is made with a distilled beverage called shōchū and sparkling water, plus some flavouring,” Garduño explained in an interview on the company’s website.
“We haven’t experimented in the low-alcohol category before, but it’s an example of how we continue to explore opportunities outside our core areas.”
The company, which launched in 1886, is best known for its flagship soft drink brand, Coca-Cola.
Garduño said that historically the company has “always focused entirely” on the non-alcoholic category.
He continued: “Globally, it’s not uncommon for non-alcoholic beverages to be sold in the same system as alcoholic beverages. It makes sense to give this a try in our market. But I don’t think people around the world should expect to see this kind of thing from Coca-Cola.
“While many markets are becoming more like Japan, I think the culture here is still very unique and special, so many products that are born here will stay here.”
This is not the first time the company has shown an interest in alcohol. The soft drinks giant was involved in the wine industry from 1977 to 1983 through its Wine Spectrum unit, which it sold to Seagram’s in November 1983.
According to a recent report, global spirits consumption is predicted to hit 3.16 billion cases by 2021, with ‘national spirits’ such as baijiu, soju and Indian whisky retaining significant market share.

Diageo GBVerified account @DiageoGB 14 minutes ago
#Smirnoff Senior Brand Manager Nic Cornbleet speaks at @ladbible‘s #AWEurope panel this afternoon. Hear about the @SmirnoffEurope ‘We’re Open’ campaign that champions greater #inclusivity: http://europe.advertisingweek.com/schedule/-ladbible-seminar-2018-03-20-1515 …

Jorge Garduño, president of the company’s Japan business unit, said that there are plans to ”experiment” with Chu-Hi, a canned alcoholic drink popular in Japan.
“This is a canned drink that includes alcohol; traditionally, it is made with a distilled beverage called shōchū and sparkling water, plus some flavouring,” Garduño explained in an interview on the company’s website.
“We haven’t experimented in the low-alcohol category before, but it’s an example of how we continue to explore opportunities outside our core areas.”
The company, which launched in 1886, is best known for its flagship soft drink brand, Coca-Cola.
Garduño said that historically the company has “always focused entirely” on the non-alcoholic category.
He continued: “Globally, it’s not uncommon for non-alcoholic beverages to be sold in the same system as alcoholic beverages. It makes sense to give this a try in our market. But I don’t think people around the world should expect to see this kind of thing from Coca-Cola.
“While many markets are becoming more like Japan, I think the culture here is still very unique and special, so many products that are born here will stay here.”
This is not the first time the company has shown an interest in alcohol. The soft drinks giant was involved in the wine industry from 1977 to 1983 through its Wine Spectrum unit, which it sold to Seagram’s in November 1983.
According to a recent report, global spirits consumption is predicted to hit 3.16 billion cases by 2021, with ‘national spirits’ such as baijiu, soju and Indian whisky retaining significant market share.

US beer Budweiser is to replace Carlsberg as the official beer partner for the England men’s national team, marking the biggest deal in the Football Association’s (FA) history.
As well as teaming up with the national side, the AB InBev-owned brand will take over the taps at Wembley Stadium. The move will further deepen Bud’s ties to the the sport, with it also renewing its partnership with the FA Cup which has been in place since 2015.