Johnnie Walker(R) Blue Label(R) Celebrates 35 Under 35

Johnnie Walker(R) Blue Label(R) Celebrates 35 Under 35

Award Celebrates Leading Young Minds

NEW YORK, Oct. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The makers of Johnnie Walker(R), the world's number one Scotch whisky brand, announced today the recipients of the Johnnie Walker Blue Label 35 Under 35 Award. This honor was designed to celebrate the brightest young minds across a broad cross-section of disciplines including artists, writers, music executives, comedians and designers. As part of being chosen for this honor, the elite list of 35 will be featured in a distinguished coffee table book highlighting their accomplishments. Their achievements will also be celebrated at a private event in New York City on October 4th.

Among those being honored are award-winning photographers and filmmakers, record label executives, fashion designers, leaders in the non-profit world, the star of a hit MTV show, technology gurus and authors-those leading the way, working to make a difference and setting the standard in their industries.

"In the selection of the 35, it was important to not only celebrate those that have achieved a great deal, but to also recognize those who are going to continue to shape the future of their respective businesses," said Bill Topf, VP Scotch and Irish whiskey, Diageo North America. "These are the innovators and motivators of today, the people who will shape the future, and we are pleased to honor these unique success stories with Johnnie Walker Blue Label, the rarest and most exclusive blend in the Johnnie Walker portfolio."

   The Johnnie Walker Blue Label 35 under 35:   Adam Berkowitz / CEO, ID Society   Adam Shore / General Manager, Vice Records   Alexander Kane / Founder, JELLYNYC   Aziz Ansari / Comedian   Blake MyCoskie / Chief Show Giver, TOMS   Chris Isenberg / Head, Mo MAs   Doug Smiley / Marketing and New Media, Downtown Records   Dustin Canalin / Founder, Undrcrwn   Ellen Stagg / Photographer   Eric Wong / Chief Marketing Officer, Bad Boy Entertainment   Gabe Tesoriero / VP of Publicity, Def Jam Recordings   Gee Roberson / CEO of Hip-Hop Since 1978 and Senior VP of Urban Music at    Atlantic Records   Gordon Hull / Creative Director, Surface to Air   Isa Saalabi / Co-founder, Nom de Guerre   Jeff Ng (a.k.a Jeff Staple) / Founder, Staple   Jen Lyon / Event Producer   Jonathan Cohen / Editor, Billboard   Joseph Patel / Producer, MTV News   Kai Regan / Photographer and Director   Kenzo Minami / Artist and Designer   Matt Kahn / Marketing, Glaceau   Michael Shimbo / President and Founder, CONCERT.TV   Michael Skolnik / Filmmaker   "Hawaii" Mike Salman / Founder and Editor-in-Chief, LTD Magazine   Mirabelle Marden / Gallerist   Nick Barat / DJ and Producer   Pace Lattin / CEO, vizi   Param Singh / Managing Partner, 212 Media   Paul Green / Founder and President, The Paul Green School of Rock   Rich Kleiman / CEO, Allido Records   Rogan Gregory / Designer   Ryan Schreiber / Founder, Publisher, Pitchfork   Scott Harrison / Head, Charity:   Shanon Chaiken / Entertainment Relations, Gibson   Tia Williams / Author and Beauty Editor   

"We look forward to celebrating the achievements of these groundbreaking professionals responsibly," said Topf.

The Johnnie Walker Blue Label 35 Under 35 event also marks the culmination of the Johnnie Walker Blue Label Best of Every Scene events, a nationwide series of eight events that took place in four cities. The events were designed as a rare opportunity for industry peers to witness the best in emerging trends across all entertainment mediums including music, film, art, fashion and cuisine. Best of Every Scene ranged from a music showcase held in November at New York's Zen Studio for folk chanteuse Emily Haines to a photo exhibition in May for acclaimed photographer Kwaku Alston at Venice, California's Focus Studio.

About Johnnie Walker(R):

Johnnie Walker(R) is the world's most powerful whisky brand. Its portfolio features five award-winning whiskies-Red Label(R), Black Label(R), Green Label(R), Gold Label(R), and Blue Label(R) -imported and distributed in the United States by Diageo North America. At the 2007 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, The Johnnie Walker Blue Label Anniversary Pack created to honor the 200th birthday of founder and original blender John Walker was named "Best Blended Scotch" and Green Label was named "Best Blended Malt Scotch." More than 4 bottles of

Johnnie Walker are consumed every second, and more than 120 million bottles are sold every year in more than 200 countries. The product line covers a broad range of occasions for the whisky drinker from every day to special moments. The five premium brands represent a range of prices and tastes that share a remarkable 180-year history and a commitment to quality. Additional information about Johnnie Walker may be found at www.johnniewalker.com.

About Diageo:

Diageo (Dee-AH-Gee-O) is the world's leading premium drinks business with an outstanding collection of beverage alcohol brands across spirits, wine and beer. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Guinness, Smirnoff, J&B, Baileys, Cuervo, Tanqueray, Captain Morgan, Crown Royal, Beaulieu Vineyard and Sterling Vineyards wines.

Diageo is a global company, trading in some 180 countries around the world. The company 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 us at http://www.diageo.com/. Celebrating life, every day, everywhere, responsibly.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Diageo

CONTACT: Ed James of Cornerstone, +1-212-652-9295,
ed@cornerstonepromotion.com, for Diageo; or Melissa Woodbury of Diageo,
+1-646-223-2305, Melissa.woodbury@diageo.com

Web site: http://www.diageo.com/
http://www.johnniewalker.com/

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Profile: International Entertainment