Jim Beam & Lion – Beer, Spirits & Wine

Last night, Australia’s leading beverage suppliers, distributors and retailers congregated at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) to celebrate the night of nights – the Australian drinks Awards.



Atop the plethora of high achievers who took away awards on the evening, were the much-anticipated ‘Brand of the Year’ and ‘Supplier of the Year’ Major Award Winners.

Awarded to the best performing brand across all product and award categories, Jim Beam was named as the industry’s 2015 Brand of the Year.

On receiving the award, Jim Beam Marketing Manager, Ben Andrews said the award marked a positive end to a transformational year for the brand.

“I think it’s fair to say that 12 months ago the brand was in a reasonably unhealthy position, and certainly the category was as well”, Andrews commented.

“Nothing like this happens without a tremendous amount of hard work however, so I’d like to say thank you to CCA (Coca-Cola Amatil) – who have really turned this brand around – Beam Suntory and my team. We’re back on top.”

Voted by both the on- and off-premise trade as the most favourable supplier within the industry, Lion – Beer, Spirits & Wine was awarded the revered title of Supplier of the Year.

“[The judging] must have been really tight this year, because there’s a lot of really good suppliers out there, doing lots of great things, certainly now in the beer category”, National Sales Director at Lion, Mark Powell said. “CUB, Asahi and Coopers have certainly been giving us a run for our money.”

“It is therefore a great achievement for us to have won this award. The industry is facing many challenges, but if the suppliers can work better and collaboratively with the retailers, we can take on those challenges and achieve growth”, Powell added.

“We all love this industry, we want it to grow and do exceptionally well. Let’s get together and let’s grow it.”



Announced by MC, Andrew Daddo, other Major Award Winners of the 2015 Australian drinks Awards included Penfolds, winning Best Presence in Social Media; Somersby with Best Ad Campaign; Carlton Dry with Best Sales Achievement; and two additional awards for Jim Beam with Best Innovation-Devil’s Cut and Most Loved Brand.

Hosted by the drinks association, the Australian drinks Awards are industry owned, celebrating the people and brands behind Australia’s leading beverages.

Underpinned by judiscious judging criteria, the Australian drinks Awards are the most respected of their kind.

“This is our own industry’s one night of the year – a time to celebrate the best of the best – our people, our brands and our industry”, Chairman of the association, Ralph Dunning said. While CEO of the drinks association Sandra Przibilla congratulated award winners.



“A big congratulations to all the winners – a worthy lot and worth noting the calibre of entries resulted in some very close results.”

“Your support for the awards and for the vision of the association is to be commended. You have been incredibly supportive as the association and the awards themselves have evolved. I do hope like me you are proud to see the association and the awards develop and meet the vision we set out to achieve”, Przibilla concluded.

 

MAJOR AWARD WINNERS

Supplier of the Year, Lion – Beer, Spirits & Wine

Brand of the Year, Jim Beam

Best Innovation, Jim Beam – Devil’s Cut

Best Presence in Social Media, Penfolds

Best Ad Campaign, Somersby

Best Sales Achievement, Carlton Dry

Most Loved Brand, Jim Beam

OVERALL CATEGORY AWARD WINNERS

Best Innovation – Beer, James Squire The Hop Thief 5.0%

Best Innovation – Wine, A by Arras Premium Cuvee NV

Best Innovation – Cider, Grape Tree Original

Best Innovation – RTD, Canadian Club – Dry Ginger Ale 50L Keg 4.8%

Best Innovation – Spirits, Jim Beam Devil’s Cut

 

Best Presence in Social Media – Beer, James Squire

Best Presence in Social Media – Wine, Penfolds

Best Presence in Social Media – Cider, Rekorderlig

Best Presence in Social Media – RTD, Woodstock

Best Presence in Social Media – Spirits, Jim Beam

 

Best Ad Campaign – Beer, XXXX (Masterbrand)

Best Ad Campaign – Wine, House of Arras

Best Ad Campaign – Cider, Somersby

Best Ad Campaign – RTD, Canadian Club

Best Ad Campaign – Spirits, Jim Beam Devil’s Cut Mila Kunis

 

Best Sales Achievement – Beer, Carlton Dry

Best Sales Achievement – Wine, Penfolds

Best Sales Achievement – Cider, Somersby

Best Sales Achievement – RTD, Canadian Club

Best Sales Achievement – Spirits, Chivas Regal

 

Most Loved Brand – Beer, Corona

Most Loved Brand – Wine, Jacob’s Creek and Brown Brothers (joint winners)

Most Loved Brand – Cider, Strongbow

Most Loved Brand – RTD, Jim Beam

Most Loved Brand – Spirits, Jack Daniel’s

 

For the full list of award winners, visit: http://www.emagcloud.com/online/Drinks_Awards__2015_Winners/index.html