The iconic rum brand Sailor Jerry have announced they are to launch exhibitions of Norman Collin’s artwork in spaces across the UK. Norman Collins is the tattooist behind the seminal tattoo branding of Sailor Jerry and is revered by vintage tattoo fans across the world. (As such, this was a bit of a no brainer really.) 

The art shows will take place this month in music venues, including King Tut’s in Glasgow, Cargo in London’s Shoreditch district and Trio in Leeds. There will of course be sampling and promotions at the events.

Vladivar have just launched a responsible drinking campaign which coincides with the launch of their new bottle in the UK. It takes a far more humorous route than other brands campaigns. Is it working for you?

Our pals at Absolut have given us a pair of priority guest list tickets to give away for the Absolut Masquerade temporary space in London on Saturday 25th October. 

With the help of acclaimed British illustrator Daisy de Villeneuve and vintage clothing boutique Mint a 140 m² studio venue has been transformed into a fabulous fashion wonderland, fully stocked by Mint with glamorous vintage clothing and accessories. 

Taking the new ABSOLUT MASQUERADE gift pack as your lead, you will enter a world of make believe, while enjoying FREE ABSOLUT VODKA cocktails in plush, elegant surroundings. Whether scouring the rails and shelves of clothes for hidden treasures, or relaxing at one of the comfortable seating areas, visitors to the House of Masquerade will be encouraged to let their imaginations run wild to create their perfect party outfit.

To win the guestlist tickets email paul@beyonddrinks.com by the end of Thursday 23rd.

Coronation Street, the most successful soap in the history of British television, is making plans to launch its own beer brand under the fictional brewers name ‘Newton & Ridley”. For years residents have supped on beer in the local pub The Rovers Return and now we all soon to be able to have taste. There are also plans for a knickers line from the underwear factory ‘Underworld’ and Corrie themed restaurants.   

What fun! What else can they do? A range of Deidre Barlow belts?

What do you reckon?

Grey Goose and jewellery designer Theo Fennell have created a limited edition accessory - a solid silver cocktail spoon - available exclusively at Selfridges. There are 120 limited edition straws retailing at £135 each with proceeds donated to the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

They say:

“The Grey Goose Straw is a truly bespoke piece designed by Theo Fennell with his distinctive and inspirational craftsmanship.  The design is sleek and modern with the signature Grey Goose feather in solid silver making this the perfect accoutrement for the stylish cocktail connoisseur.”

We say: Was this David Furnishes idea? Nice.

Quite beyond. Directed by Todd Mueller & Kylie Matulick at Psyop.

Our heads are a little sore. We went to the Bacardi party last night at the SeOne club in London. Actually, to get it right - it was a Fiesta. Actually a Cuban style La Fiesta thrown by B-Live Bacardi. Lots of Mojitos, lots of faux Latino vibe, lots of Bacardi branding. Inside was supposed to resemble a typical Cuban street, which after five of the free Mojitos and a squint I guess it kinda did. There was a big lounge bed, fountain, plants and bat projections. DJ Yoda span, beatboxer Beardyman did his thing and there were Latino acts who I have no idea who there were but were ace. And excitements Groove Armada were the surprise act. More pics after the jump. Now where’s that Berocca and Milk Thistle?

Nb. Note the rather random (and running out of budget) red clothes hanging over the balcony in the last pic. That’s real authentic Cuba you know.

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Those crazy Aussies. A hot air balloon shaped as a Carlton beer pot was flown for 90 minutes during rush hour over the CBD (financial district) of Melbourne this morning. It’s part of an ongoing campaign which includes a really rather good TV advert and further actual balloon flying antics across Australia. Read full story at The Age and here is that ace ad after the jump:

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In a somewhat dubious ‘well our name fits, lets do it!’ way, Oval Vodka are jumping on the US election bandwagon by launching a competition to decide what will be its signature cocktail - the OVAL Office. From now until October 25th the brand (which incidentally was created by a Russian professor and produced in Austria) is calling on “bartenders, cocktail lovers and consumers” to create an original vodka cocktail and submit them at the website.

We are filing it under “should of left it in the marketing brainstorm”.

Fashion designer turned artist, Helmut Lang has teamed up with Absolut for a two part collaboration for his latest art project Alles Gleich Schwer which will run as part of the ongoing “In an Absolut World” campaign. A VIP party was held last week and the exhibition will run until November 2nd at Kestnergesellschaft in Hanover. Read more at the David Report.

To celebrate the handover of the Olympic torch from Beijing to London, British photographer Rankin has collaborated with Coa-Cola for a limited edition bottle available exclusively at Selfridges for £1.99.

Rankin says:

“As a Londoner, I love what the city represents - the vibrancy, the strength and the energy - so to reflect that with an image, which also represents the Olympics, was a fantastically exciting challenge for me as a photographer. It was made even more compelling for me to do it in collaboration with Coca-Cola, and using the iconic contours and shape of the glass bottle.”

We say: Photography on a bottle makes a nice change from the usual illustrations.

Just genius!

For those of you with iPhones to get the app just go to the itunes store and type in iPint. Its free.

Sylvester Stallone has signed an estimated $1 million, one year deal with Synergy, the Russian vodka producer to advertise Russian Ice vodka ( Russky Lyod). From September the Italian American actor, whose great- grandmother was from the Ukraine, will appear in television and newspaper advertisements under the slogan, “There is a bit of Russian in all of us.”

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There seems to be a trend for fictitious drinks at the moment. First there was Tru Blood promoting the new HBO vampire series True Blood, and now there is Booty Sweat from the Ben Stiller film Tropic Thunder. One of the characters in the film Alpa Chino played by Brandon T. Jackson, a rapper turned actor who has made millions with his hip-hop energy drink, Booty Sweat. Check out the ‘fake’ website for the drink.

UPDATE:

The Booty Sweat fake drink from the film Tropic Thunder is rumoured to be made into a real drink to help market the movie. Although, this could be a PR stunt in itself.

Carlsberg are capitalising on their new position as the UK’s favourite lager (taking over Stella this year) by teaming up with The Sun newspaper for a national promotion for the August bank holiday weekend on the 23rd August. Readers of the UK tabloid can redeem vouchers for a free pint at over 13,000 pubs across the country.

UPDATE: The Publican has reported that the promotion is causing huge controversy with Liverpool FC fans who still harbour resentment after the newspapers coverage of the Hillsborough disaster in 1989. The fans are threatening to boycott Carlsberg. Read the full story here.

UPDATE 2: Carlsberg announced that the promotion has been cancelled due to the above controversy.

Mother has won the ad launch campaign for InBevs new Stella 4% variant. Lowe has been the Stella creative ad agency for over 25 years so this is a major blow. However Mother has only won the launch campaign and it’s yet to be decided who will work on the sub brand in the future. The ad campaign is due to break in November and we are looking forward to the campaign and the beer.

We love these vintage style horror movie poster ads for Ponche Soto Licor - a blend of brandy, sherry and oranges. The ads strap line reads “Ponche Soto, extraordinary combination”. More images here…

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Inked is an energy drink from the US convenience store brand 7-Eleven. They have taken an interesting approach by niche targeting the drink squarely at tattoo enthusiast consumers. It is only available in their stores.

Tags: Energy Drink, Marketing, Non Alcoholic