NORWALK, Conn., May 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Diageo, the
world's leading premium drinks company, today announced a year-long
commitment to military personnel with an inaugural donation of
$10,000 to iPads for Soldiers via the
Captain Morgan brand's First Mate Fund™. The contribution is
the first in a series of military-focused initiatives that will be
executed by Diageo throughout the next year.
iPads for Soldiers will utilize the donation to provide troops
in combat with technology to improve life in the field. The 501(c)3
organization was founded in 2010 by Winnie Pritchett, whose son Wes
was serving in Afghanistan at the time. Pritchett recognized the
need for soldiers to be able to conveniently access the Internet,
stay in touch with loved ones at home and learn new skills, all of
which can be done through the use of iPads. For more information,
please visit www.iPadsForSoldiers.org.
The donation is being made via Captain Morgan's First Mate Fund,
which was established in November
2010 to benefit non-profit organizations that support
responsible drinking and other community initiatives. To date,
Captain Morgan has donated close to $1,000,000 to charitable organizations across the
country, including Designated Drivers Foundation, BeMyDD, Operation
Economic Freedom, Responsible Hospitality Institute, 100 Black Men
and various food banks.
The iPads for Soldiers donation kicks off a year-long initiative
designed by Diageo to honor troops through a series of military
initiatives. Brands that will participate in military-focused
programs include Crown Royal, Ciroc, Jose
Cuervo, Smirnoff and Captain Morgan.
"We recognize the sacrifices servicemen and women across the
country and overseas are making on a daily basis and are excited to
honor them for their selfless contributions," said Glenn R. Marchi, Director of Corporate Relations
Operations, Diageo. "We hope these programs are able to provide
military members and their loved ones with unique,
once-in-a-lifetime experiences as a small token of our thanks for
all they do."
Crown Royal will honor one deserving man or woman with naming
rights to the Brickyard 400 NASCAR race at Indianapolis Motor
Speedway on July 29th, 2012 through
the brand's annual "Your Hero's Name Here" program. The winner, as
determined by consumer vote, will be treated to an unforgettable
experience, which includes waving the green flag to signal the
start of the race and delivering the trophy bearing his or her name
to the race winner in Victory Lane.
Military members will also be encouraged to hit the sand with
Jose Cuervo's Pro Beach Volleyball
Series, which will sponsor volleyball leagues on military bases
across the country. The bracket-style series will end with a
championship game in California
where the finalist teams will battle for ultimate bragging rights
with the help their own pro coach.
Other military initiatives Diageo is set to execute this year
include Ciroc vodka's "Ciroc The New Year" promotion, which will
award military members a chance to ring in the new year with P.
Diddy at Ciroc's official New Year's
Eve celebration and a trip to the finale event for
Smirnoff's Master of the Mix television program, a reality
competition in search of the nation's best DJ, among others.
When raising a glass to the troops, Diageo reminds you to always
drink responsibly.
About Diageo
Diageo (Dee-AH-Gee-O) is the world's leading premium drinks
business with an outstanding collection of beverage alcohol brands
across spirits, beer and wine. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, J&B,
Windsor, Buchanan's and Bushmills
whiskies, Smirnoff, Ciroc and Ketel One vodkas, Baileys, Captain
Morgan, Jose Cuervo, Tanqueray,
Guinness, Beaulieu Vineyard and
Sterling Vineyards Wines.
Diageo is a global company, with its products sold in more than
180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the
New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (DGE).
For more information about Diageo, its people, brands, and
performance, visit us at Diageo.com. For our global resource that
promotes responsible drinking through the sharing of best practice
tools, information and initiatives, visit DRINKiQ.com.
Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.
Contacts:
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Sari
Brecher
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Katie
Zach
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Diageo
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Taylor
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646.223.2019
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704.644.6914
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sari.brecher@diageo.com
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kzach@taylorstrategy.com
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SOURCE Diageo