Diageo's 12th Annual Golden Bar Awards Honors Drinks Distributors' Excellence and Innovation

NORWALK, Conn., Aug. 12, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Diageo, a global leader in beverage alcohol, honored spirits, wine and beer distributors at the 12th Annual Golden Bar Awards which took place at a number of awards events and presentation ceremonies in Las Vegas, and across the country.  The Golden Bar Awards are presented for achievements in sales, marketing and promoting responsible drinking.

Tom Looney, President, Open and Control States for Diageo North America said, "The Golden Bars allow Diageo to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of our outstanding distributors, whose efforts help our business to succeed."

That sentiment was reinforced by Tom Day, President, Diageo-Guinness USA, who said, "We don't take relationships for granted and we appreciate the level of execution and commitment to our brands that our distributors demonstrate.  Presenting these awards is one way that we show our appreciation."

The Golden Bar Awards celebrate distributors and brokers for their excellence in the marketplace and the important role they play in their communities.  They recognize distributors for success with important audiences and channels, for consistent performance over the past three years, and for excellent work in key segments, categories and brands including Reserve, Innovation, Tequila, Smirnoff, Johnnie Walker, Baileys, Captain Morgan, Tanqueray, Crown Royal, Ketel One, Ciroc, Sterling Vineyards, Beaulieu Vineyard, Acacia Vineyard, Guinness, Red Stripe and Smirnoff Ice. The grand prizes are awarded to the distributors of the year, for wine, spirits and beer.

Two Platinum Bar Awards are given for advancing responsible drinking, one to an Open States distributor and the other to a Control States distributor. 

"Our distributors and brokers can have a big impact on local communities, especially when it comes to promoting responsible drinking and fighting underage drinking," said Guy Smith, Executive Vice President, Diageo North America.  "By working together, we can make a difference in the communities where we do business."

In total, 31 Golden Bar statuettes, 28 made of 24 carat gold and three made of platinum, were awarded to distributors. Each statuette weighs eight pounds, stands more than a foot tall, and is produced by R.S. Owens, the company that created the Oscar®, presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Below are the categories and winners for the 2015 Golden Bar Awards.

In addition, Diageo-Guinness USA named nine regional award winners for Guinness quality:

• Alliance Beverage of Phoenix, AZ
• Columbia Distributing of Everett, WA
• Andrews Distributing of North Texas
• Southern Wine & Spirits of South Carolina
• Champion Brands, FL
• Banko Beverage, PA
• L. Knife & Son, MA
• Lakeshore Beverage of Chicago, IL
• River City Distributing, KY

About Diageo Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands across spirits, beer and wine categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, Bulleit and Buchanan's whiskies, Smirnoff, Ciroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness.

Diageo is a global company, and our products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and the New York Stock Exchange (DEO). For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands, and performance, visit us at www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo's global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice.

Follow us on Twitter for news and information about Diageo North America: @Diageo_NA.Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.

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SOURCE Diageo