BrandsBriefs
San Miguel sponsors film fest
Premium lager brand San Miguel is sponsoring the 13th Viva film festival, featuring Spanish and Latin American productions. Up to 100 Hispanic films will be shown during the festival, which will visit 14 destinations until the end of May.
The remaining locations for the festival, which started last month, are Birmingham, Bristol, Inverness, Ipswich, Liverpool, London, Nottingham, Sheffield and Warwick.
San Miguel brand manager Anne Morrow said: "As the definitive Spanish lager, San Miguel is a superb fit with the Viva festival. The brand is already the official beer of Real Madrid and is a key part of Spanish sport and culture." Viva forms part of a £12m marketing spend on San Miguel this year.
Classic cigars enjoy revamp
Classic, the flagship cigar brand within Imperial Tobacco's stable, has been redesigned to give improved "on-shelf visibility". The new tins will contain 10 cigars and there are no additional cost implications for retailers.
Iain Watkins, trade communications manager at Imperial Tobacco, commented: "The Classic brand has high levels of consumer recognition and we are confident that the new packaging will give greater on-shelf standout. We anticipate that adult cigar smokers will react positively to the new packaging."
Whisky exports beat record
Scotch whisky distillers enjoyed record exports last year. According to the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA), exports rose by 4% in value, reaching nearly £2.5bn during 2006 and beating the previous record of £2.4bn set in 1997.
The biggest increases were posted in Central and South America (up 24% to £326m), Africa (up 17% to £114m), North America (up 6% to £457m), and Asia (up 2% to £546m). Overall, malt-whisky exports were up 7% to £408m and blended Scotch rose by 4% to £1.92bn
SWA chairman Richard Burrows said: "The prospects for Scotch whisky are brighter than they have been for many years. I'm greatly encouraged that distillers are investing in facilities in Scotland and taking advantage of the opportunities worldwide."
