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Tim Akin MW: Playing for laughs

Published:  13 June, 2024

At first sight, it looked like a PR disaster. Sir Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, was filmed falling off a paddleboard into Lake Windermere five times. He’s a middle-aged bloke with a paunch and no sense of balance. Politicians do all sorts of silly things by mistake – members of the public can ambush them too – but Sir Ed’s aquatic pratfall was deliberate. He’s done a number of similar things campaigning for July’s general election.

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Nick Gillett: Greenwashing – are you looking a little grubby?

Published:  03 October, 2022

‘Net Zero’, ‘Carbon reduction’, ‘Sustainability’, and ‘Offsetting’ – all good stuff and we’re now used to bandying these terms around like they’re going out of fashion. But whilst brands are waxing lyrical about their green credentials and how they’re busy saving the planet, how many actually are?

Whether intentionally or not, more than a few drinks brands at best ‘polishing’ their green credentials to look better than they are – and some are just lying. Beyond misleading conscious consumers and reaping undeserved competitive advantages, it pisses me off, because it’s actively halting the industry’s Net Zero progress which is where we should be placing our focus.

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Guy Woodward: Intercontinental blends challenge the sanctity of terroir

Published:  06 September, 2022

Earlier this year, Penfolds announced its ambition to essay “a strategic shift from fine wine brand to global luxury icon”. The brand’s new marketing campaign, it said, encapsulated Penfolds’ “innovative spirit and desire to push the boundaries through self-belief”.

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Guy Woodward: Wine's 'social experts'

Published:  10 May, 2022

“The people of this country have had enough of experts,” said Brexit cheerleader Michael Gove in the lead-up to that fateful vote. Disdaining the leaders of the US, China, India, Australia and every EU country, as well as the heads of the Bank of England, the IMF, IFS, CBI and the NHS – all of whom he branded as “distant” and “elitist” – Gove argued that fans of Brexit knew best when it came to the economy.

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Chris Frederick and Damola Timeyin, Spearhead Spirits

Published:  29 March, 2022

Having launched their all-African Bayab gin range and Vusa vodka – and with more to come – Spearhead Spirits founders and friends Chris Frederick and Damola Timeyin talk Andrew Catchpole through their mission to put African spirits at the top table

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New campaign to reinvigorate sherry's image in UK

Published:  11 February, 2022

Promotional body Sherry from Spain has launched a new promotional drive in the UK market, designed to build awareness and transform sherry's image across both the on-trade and direct-to-consumer channels.

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Wines of Roussillon launches three-year promotional campaign

Published:  08 February, 2022

The Conseil Interprofessionnel des Vins du Roussillon (CIVR) has unveiled a new three year generic campaign, designed to raise the profile of the region in the UK, supporting the commercial efforts of its wine producers and importers.

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South of France to open new somm school

Published:  03 November, 2021

The Roussillon region is to host what is described as a “unique training centre” for sommeliers, planned to open in September 2022.

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Long Read: Who do you think you are talking to?

Published:  14 October, 2021

Simon Huntington, former head of ecommerce at trade merchant and retailer Roberson Wine, looks at some of the difficulties faced by companies who have diversified into online retail and outlines how by trying to talk to everyone, they risk being heard by no one.

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Navarra targets UK with new consumer and trade campaign

Published:  27 September, 2021

Spain's Navarra region is launching a new trade and consumer campaign in the UK this autumn, run in collaboration with PR firm Bespoke Drinks Media.

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Drinks Trust backs PR internship for pandemic-affected workers

Published:  17 August, 2021

The Drinks Community – the professional members platform from The Drinks Trust – has partnered with UK drinks public relations agency Domino Communications to offer an internship for those working in the hospitality and drinks industry, whose livelihoods have been negatively affected by the pandemic.

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Soapbox: Zero clarity threatens the future of no and low

Published:  12 August, 2021

In an extended soapbox this month, Vickie Rogerson, MD of specialist food and drink communications agency North PR and former head of food and BWS PR at Asda, makes the case for radically improved no and low alcohol labelling.

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Rioja plays a starring role in Cune’s first UK campaign

Published:  20 April, 2021

Hatch Mansfield has announced the launch of its first UK marketing campaign for Spanish label Cune, which will hone in on the brand’s Spanish heritage while promoting their range of Riojas.

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Ethical winemaking in South America: A new world

Published:  01 April, 2021

James Lawrence looks at the South American wineries championing biodiversity and giving back to the vineyards.

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Drinks Trust unveils new mentoring scheme

Published:  02 December, 2020

The Drinks Trust has today unveiled its The Drinks Community Mentoring Programme, a key part of its recently announced The Drinks Community initiative.

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Kate Nicholls, CEO, UK Hospitality

Published:  14 September, 2020

With hospitality one of the hardest hit sectors in the wake of the pandemic, the head of the leading trade organisation has no end of crucial issues to deal with. Kate Nicholls talks strategy to Lisa Riley

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Apothic adds first single-varietal to range

Published:  10 August, 2020

Premium Californian wine brand Apothic is to add its first single-varietal wine to its portfolio next month.

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Lawyers urge businesses to “read the fine print” over Job Retention Scheme

Published:  25 March, 2020

Legal advice has been issued to drinks businesses who are now looking to rely on the government’s promise to cover 80% of salaries (up to a limit of £2,500) a month to furloughed members of staff during the current coronavirus (Covid-19) health crisis.

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Georgian wines up 60% in UK

Published:  11 February, 2020

The National Wine Agency of Georgia has announced a big push on its country’s wines for 2020 after exports rocketed 60% last year.

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New global PR partnership announced

Published:  30 October, 2019

Three food-and-drink PR agencies from across the world have partnered to create a global network to support their clients’ international needs.

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