DGE Diageo Plc

NORWALK, Conn., March 15, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- DIAGEO-GUINNESS USA announced today that it will make a $10,000 donation to the non-profit Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP). Since St. Patrick's Day is on a Sunday this year and celebrators are likely to enjoy the holiday all weekend, the donation aims to help promote responsible decision making amongst adult beverage alcohol consumers.

The donation will be earmarked specifically for WRAP's SoberRide initiative, a free taxi cab ride program created in 1993 to keep Washington D.C. area roads safe from impaired drivers during traditionally high-risk holiday periods. The donation will help ensure that a greater number of taxi cabs will be available to consumers throughout the holiday weekend.

"WRAP's SoberRide program continues to provide tremendous value to the DC metro area," said Doug Campbell, GUINNESS Brand Director. "We are delighted to continue supporting the team at WRAP with this donation and encourage all adults to celebrate this St. Patrick's Day responsibly."

WRAP's St. Patrick's Day SoberRide program will be offered from 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 17th (St. Patrick's Day) through 4:00 am on Monday, March 18th. To receive a free cab ride home (up to a $30 fare), call 800-200-8294 (TAXI).  SoberRide service is available to legal drinking age adult consumers that are 21 or older.

"We are delighted that Diageo continues to support WRAP's winning efforts to fight drunk driving and underage drinking in the Washington-metropolitan area," said Kurt Gregory Erickson, WRAP's President. "Diageo and the GUINNESS brand have shown so much support over the years around this important initiative and holiday, and we are grateful to be able to provide adults with a safe ride home year after year."

In addition to the support Diageo and the GUINNESS brand are giving to WRAP, this St. Patrick's Day season, GUINNESS & Co. is also teaming up with the Leary Firefighters Foundation (LFF) to invite all legal drinking age adults to responsibly raise a pint of the black stuff in support of firefighters across the country. GUINNESS is encouraging consumers to get involved through the brand's "$100,000 Pour," a live GUINNESS pint mosaic that is comprised of consumer pledges, each of which represents $1 of the $100,000 donation that GUINNESS has committed to the LFF.  Together with the LFF, GUINNESS will help provide the necessary equipment, technology and training to America's bravest.

This St. Patrick's Day Diageo and GUINNESS remind adult consumers everywhere to celebrate responsibly and of the importance of planning ahead for a safe ride home.

About GUINNESS® 
GUINNESS® stout enjoys a global reputation as a uniquely authentic Irish beer and the best-selling stout in the world.  Famous for its dark color, creamy head and unique surge and settle, this distinctive beer has been brewed at the St. James's Gate brewery in Dublin, Ireland since 1759.  Over 10 million glasses of GUINNESS beer are enjoyed every single day around the world, and 1.8 billion pints are sold every year.  GUINNESS is available in well over 100 countries worldwide and is brewed in almost 50.  Also from the makers of GUINNESS, SMITHWICK'S, Ireland's oldest and best selling ale and HARP Lager, whose name pays tribute to the GUINNESS logo and the national symbol of Ireland.  Additional information about GUINNESS can be found at www.guinness.com.

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, wines and beer categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Guinness, Smirnoff, J&B, Baileys, Cuervo, Tanqueray, Captain Morgan, Crown Royal, Beaulieu Vineyard and Sterling Vineyards wines.

Diageo is a global company, trading 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.    

SOURCE DIAGEO-GUINNESS USA