Carlton & United Breweries (CUB) subsidiary, The Continental Spirits Company, has signed an agreement to distribute premium spirit brand SKYY Vodka in Australia from February 2003.
Easily identified by its cobalt blue bottle, SKYY Vodka expands Continental Spirits' Vodka portfolio at the premium end of the segment, building on its strong value brands of Kirov Vodka and Karloff Vodka.
CUB Managing Director, Mr Jim King, said: "The agreement with Campari Group for SKYY Vodka strengthens our international spirit brand portfolio and is in line with our strategy to secure a greater share of the Australian premium branded spirit market."
"The premium brand has received Impact USA magazine's 'Hot Brand'1 award for high-growth brands seven years running and has an established Australian consumer base. CUB will capture share of the growing premium Vodka market with SKYY Vodka allocating significant promotional investment to the brand," he said.
Mr Pietro Mattioni, Regional Director for Campari Group said, "With its specialist Continental Spirits sales structure we expect CUB to aggressively promote, and drive distribution of, SKYY Vodka in Australia."
At more than 500,000 cases sold per annum Vodka is Australia's fastest growing spirit category, with consumer demand for known international Vodka brands driving this growth.
CUB will also work with Campari International to identify opportunities in the Australian RTD market, in line with its strategy to capitalise on the growth category of pre-mixed spirit drinks.
Further information:
Media
Geoff Donohue
Tel: +613 9633 2288
Mob: 0439 318 695
