(press release) World’s First Online Consumer Guide To Quality Drinks And Service
NEW YORK, Sept. 19 /PRNewswire/ — In an innovative industry collaboration, Diageo, the world’s leading premium drinks business with hallmark brands including Smirnoff, Guinness, Johnnie Walker, Baileys, J&B, Cuervo, Captain Morgan and Tanqueray, announced today that it has joined with Zagat Survey, the world’s leading provider of consumer survey-based content, to launch drinkwell(TM) (www.idrinkwell.com), the first online resource guide to restaurants that are dedicated to serving the highest quality drinks and drink service.
“When people go out they often start the evening with cocktails, and that experience — good or bad — can set the mood for the entire night,” said Steve Wallet, vice president of Channel Marketing for Diageo. “At Diageo our leadership and knowledge in the area of spirits, beer and wine is second to none. drinkwell(TM) combines Diageo’s expertise with Zagat’s, and the industry’s foremost mixologists, to create a one-of-a-kind online resource for consumers seeking a complete quality dining and drinks experience.”
Visitors to www.idrinkwell.com will have free access to the ratings that Zagat surveyors have given to the hundreds of drinkwell(TM) establishments across the country, based on the quality of drinks, service, atmosphere and cost.
“Eating is only one part of the consumer experience when visiting a restaurant,” said Tim Zagat, Co-chair and CEO of Zagat Survey. “The creation of drinkwell(TM) gives consumers a new way to make informed decisions about where to find the best drinks and service.”
drinkwell(TM) has partnered with several world-renowned beverage experts including Dale DeGroff, Steve Olson, Paul Pacult, Dave Wondrich and Doug Frost, to develop the drinkwell(TM) Academy Staff Training Program for participating establishments. drinkwell(TM) — accredited establishments are identified by a special black and brushed metal plaque, in the same way the burgundy Zagat Survey decal denotes a Zagat-rated restaurant.
Inaugural drinkwell(TM) establishments are currently located in the following markets and will be nationwide by the end of 2007:
*Atlanta*Minneapolis/St. Paul*Chicago*New York City*Cincinnati*Philadelphia*Cleveland*San Diego*Dallas/Fort Worth*San Francisco/Bay Area*Houston*South Florida*Long Island*Westchester/Hudson Valley*Los Angeles/Southern California
drinkwell(TM) reminds you to please drink responsibly. Diageo is a founding member and major supporter of The Century Council, an organization funded by the country’s leading distillers committed to developing programs to combat drunk driving and underage drinking. For more information, please visit www.centurycouncil.org.
About Zagat Survey, LLC
Known as the “wildly popular” “burgundy bible”, Zagat Survey is the world’s leading provider of consumer survey based content about where to eat, drink, stay and play. With more than 300,000 surveyors worldwide, Zagat Survey rates and reviews restaurants, hotels, nightlife, movies, music, golf, shopping and a range of other entertainment categories and is lauded as the “most up-to-date,” “comprehensive” and “reliable” guide ever published. Zagat content is available to consumers wherever and whenever they need it: in book format, on ZAGAT.com, via mobile devices with ZAGAT.mobi and ZAGAT TO GO for smartphones. For more information, visit ZAGAT.com.
About Diageo
Diageo is the world’s leading premium drinks business. With its global vision, and local marketing focus, Diageo brings to consumers an outstanding collection of beverage alcohol brands across the spirits, wine and beer categories including Smirnoff, Guinness, Johnnie Walker, Baileys, J&B, Cuervo, Captain Morgan and Tanqueray, and Beaulieu Vineyard and Sterling Vineyards wines. Diageo trades in some 180 countries around the world and is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (DGE). For more information about Diageo, its people, brands and performance, visit www.diageo.com.
Contact:
Zsoka McDonald, Diageo
203-229-4730
Zsoka.Mcdonald@diageo.com
Elizabeth Tierney
Taylor, for Diageo
212-714-1280
ltierney@taylorpr.com
