Dépêches

Jim Beam® Bourbon “Toasts the Troops” at Airports Nationwide with Operation Homefront

Dépèche transmise le 24 juin 2009 par Business Wire

DEERFIELD, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc. [Fortune Brands, Inc. (NYSE:FO)], the leading American spirits company, and Jim Beam® Bourbon, the world’s number one selling Bourbon, are proud to support Operation Homefront® through military channels and with Bethesda, Md.-based HMSHost, a leading provider of food, beverage and retail services in travel venues worldwide. Jim Beam is continuing its relationship with Operation Homefront for a second year, expanding the program to give travelers at 69 airports across the country the opportunity to support our troops.

Operation Homefront provides support and morale to U.S. troops, the families they leave behind while they serve and wounded warriors when they return home. Travelers who stop by an HMSHost-operated airport bar or restaurant will have the opportunity to create their own “Salute to the Troops” by writing a message on a branded postcard provided at participating locations. Operation Homefront will deliver these letters to our troops at the completion of the promotion on July 4.

The featured cocktail, Jim Beam & Cola, is being served at participating HMSHost airport bars in more than 35 states throughout the promotion. Food & beverage outlets operated by HMSHost include brands such as Fox Sports Sky Bar, Gordon Biersch, Home Turf, Sammy’s Beach Bar & Grill, and Stinger Ray’s. Around the U.S., HMSHost has concessions in airports including Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, Boston-Logan International Airport, Charlotte-Douglas International Airport, Chicago O’Hare International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

“Airports are a symbol for hellos and goodbyes,” said Tim Condron, group vice president of National Accounts and Sales Strategy, Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc. “Travelers are frequently reminded of their loved ones and freedoms during transit. HMSHost provides the perfect opportunity to remind traveling consumers of the everyday sacrifices made by our troops serving overseas.”

In addition, Jim Beam White released a limited edition Operation Homefront commemorative label bottle on Memorial Day. The bottle is available for sale through July 4, 2009. A portion of proceeds from bottle sales will be donated to Operation Homefront at the end of the summer, with the goal of raising more than $25,000.

Various U.S. Off Premise retailers and Military channels such as the U.S. Navy, Army & Air Force Exchange Service outlets have also supported this program via custom displays with co-branded Jim Beam and Operation Homefront point-of-sale materials featuring the Jim Beam Operation Homefront commemorative package.

Last year, Jim Beam donated approximately $250,000 to Operation Homefront through corporate donations, local market events, as well as support from distributors and retailers. “Jim Beam supports Operation Homefront because it upholds a commitment to high values - true character, integrity and doing the right thing,” continued Condron.

Jim Beam is committed to social responsibility and advises legal purchase age consumers to drink smart®. Through drinksmart.com, Beam Global educates legal purchase age consumers about how to make responsible choices about alcohol.

About Beam Global Spirits & Wine:

Inspiring conversations around the world, Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc., is building brands people want to talk about. Consumers from all corners of the globe call for our brands, including Jim Beam® Bourbon, Sauza® Tequila, Canadian Club® Whisky, Courvoisier® Cognac, Maker's Mark® Bourbon, Laphroaig® Scotch Whisky, Cruzan® Rum, Larios® Gin, Whisky DYC®, Teacher's® Scotch Whisky, DeKuyper® Cordials and Liqueurs and Knob Creek® Bourbon. Beam Global Spirits & Wine is part of Fortune Brands, Inc. (NYSE:FO), a leading consumer brands company recently named one of the World’s Most Admired Companies by Fortune magazine. For more information on Beam Global Spirits & Wine, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, visit www.beamglobal.comand www.drinksmart.com.

About Operation Homefront: Operation Homefront® provides emergency assistance and morale to our troops, to the families they leave behind, and to wounded warriors when they return home. A nonprofit 501(c) (3), Operation Homefront served more than 33,000 military families in 2007 with the help of 4,500 volunteers in 30 chapters nationwide. Operation Homefront also hosts the Web community Operation Homefront Online, www.homefrontonline.com. For more information, please visit www.operationhomefront.net and www.homefrontonline.com.

drink smart®

Jim Beam® Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 40% Alc./Vol.
©2009 James B. Beam Distilling Co., Clermont, KY.