THE FAMOUS GROUSE TRIUMPHS AT MARKETING EXCELLENCE AWARDS

PRESS RELEASE issued 13th May 2008

The Famous Grouse has scooped the top award for Promotional Excellence at this year's Scottish Marketing Excellence Awards, held in Edinburgh on Friday (9th May), beating off stiff competition from National Galleries of Scotland, Real Radio & The Sun, and Visit Scotland.

The Famous Grouse received the award for its "Famously Successful Personal Touch" innovation, which allows consumers to personalise both the front and back labels of The Famous Grouse bottles. The brand has seen worldwide success for this innovation, which bucked the trend for price promotion and truly captured the imagination of consumers, retailers and international markets and the media, driving over £600,000 of sales.

Gerry O'Donnell, director of The Famous Grouse brand, said: "To win this award is a great recognition for all our staff.  As Scotland?s number one whisky we are always striving for innovation and to be recognised as the best in Scotland is a fantastic accolade."

The Marketing Excellence Awards in Scotland have been developed to recognise outstanding marketing and to promote best practice.  There are a total of 24 awards across three main categories and the awards are reviewed by a panel of judges who are all selected from the industry for their independence and expertise in specific marketing disciplines.

The Famous Grouse has won a number of prestigious awards in recent years including the Sponsorship award for The Famous Grouse Rugby Activation for Maxxium UK in 2007, Marketing Magazines' Grand Prix award and a BAFTA for it's interactive show, at The Famous Grouse Experience, as well as five star Visit Scotland accreditation.