IBC 2010 is this years KEY event for all those working within the Brewing supply chain. The FIRST CLASS programme featuring industry leading speakers will consider the KEY STRATEGIC PRIORITIES for the sector. With global delegates providing unrivalled networking opportunities and a comprehensive exhibition from industry suppliers, this is an UNMISSABLE Convention. Click HERE to find out more. |
Ten days into the World Cup in South Africa and there is as much going on off the field as there is on it. I'm not talking about the player revolts in the English and French camps, more the public spats between brewers. SABMiller and Brandhouse, the Diageo-Heineken love child, are going at it hammer and tongs in an advertising dispute, while FIFA has been chasing skirt - 36 skirts to be exact - in what has become some of the most successful ambush marketing in living memory.
SABMiller cranked up the volume last week in its war of words with Brandhouse. The brewer said it felt "aggrieved" by an official ruling that Brandhouse was right to claim that retailers could make more profit through selling 660ml bottles of Amstel rather than 750ml bottles of SAB's Carling Black Label.
Meanwhile, FIFA spent last week seeking to press charges against the organisers of an ambush marketing stunt by Bavaria. The Dutch brewer shipped 36 girls in mini-dresses into the stadium for last week's Holland v Denmark game. All dresses had the Bavaria logo in tiny lettering, which contravenes FIFA's exclusive tie-up with Anheuser-Busch InBev's Budweiser brand.
By pressing charges against those on the ground, FIFA has
succeeded primarily in fanning the flames of publicity for
Bavaria. And,
instead of immediately taking legal action against Bavaria
itself, FIFA has made itself look draconian, to put it
mildly.
It's been just over a month since we relaunched just-drinks, with the emphasis now on comment and analysis rather than on news headlines – which we continue to cover, of course. We hope you're enjoying our new fruits, which last week included my thoughts on a missed opportunity for the UK drinks trade, Chris Mercer's disgust at the European Commission's decision not to introduce standards for organic wine production and Chris Brook-Carter's concern at the wider repercussions of a legal row in the coffee world.
Finally, we're up to almost 1,000 followers on Twitter – a namecheck is assured for the milestone-grabber.
Until next time...
Olly Wehring
Managing Editor
Web: http://www.just-drinks.com
Email: editor@just-drinks.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/just_drinks
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