Absolut® Labs Collaborates with World Renowned Electronic Musician deadmau5 To Invite Fans into First-Of-Its-Kind Virtual Reality Nightlife Gaming Experience

Absolut® Labs Collaborates with World Renowned Electronic Musician deadmau5 To Invite Fans into First-Of-Its-Kind Virtual Reality Nightlife Gaming Experience

Absolut deadmau5 Combines Live-Action, CGI and VR Gaming alongside Exclusive New deadmau5 Track

NEW YORK, June 30, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Absolut® Labs unveils Absolut deadmau5 - an interactive virtual reality gaming experience created in collaboration with world renowned electronic musician deadmau5, which invites fans to join the artist on an epic night out in his own virtual world.

As the latest venture from Absolut Labs, the brand's nightlife think-tank and idea incubator, Absolut deadmau5 is part of the brand's ongoing mission to redefine and reimagine nightlife through its Absolut Nights campaign. Connecting people in new and unexpected ways - both in the real world and, now, the virtual world - is in the DNA of the Absolut Nights campaign, creating nights that memories are made of.

Combining live-action, motion capture and the latest videogame technology, Absolut deadmau5 puts fans in the driver seat as they guide the artist through a virtual journey from his actual studio, navigating various obstacles and surprises, before culminating in a live performance of his exclusive new track, "Saved."

"Absolut has always pushed the boundaries of creative collaborations, from Andy Warhol to Lady Gaga, to foster unique connections between artists and fans," said Afdhel Aziz, Director, Absolut Labs. "With Absolut deadmau5, we're continuing our ongoing exploration of nightlife, using virtual reality as a canvas to create an epic, cinematic journey that celebrates spontaneous, adventurous nights out - that you can experience anytime, anywhere, anyplace."

Pre-order for Exclusive Access
Fans who pre-order the exclusive Limited Edition Absolut deadmau5 VR cardboard headset at Absolutdeadmau5.com, which was designed in collaboration with the artist, will be the first to best experience the Absolut deadmau5 app and hear the new deadmau5 track on July 27(th).

"It's no secret I'm a huge gamer. Video games have always played a major role in my life," says electronic music producer deadmau5. "I couldn't pass up the opportunity to create my own VR gaming experience, especially when it meant I could bring a broad set of fans on an interactive journey alongside me and share my music with them in a whole new way."

The Absolut deadmau5 experience begins in the artist's garage with a guest appearance from his Instagram-famous cat, Meowingtons. Here, users help deadmau5 find his car, complete with a driver, and set out on a journey toward a nighttime gig. For the next scenes, users maneuver past obstacles ranging from skeptical bouncers to selfie-taking fans to get deadmau5 to his concert destination on time. The culmination of the experience is a concert in which the artist performs his new track, "Saved" in front of a live audience shot in the artist's hometown of Toronto.

Absolut Labs and Virtual Reality

Absolut deadmau5 is the second VR project to come out of Absolut Labs, an experimental and creative venture dedicated to creating inclusive and innovative experiences that help shape the future of nightlife. Absolut Labs first experimented with bridging music and virtual reality in July 2015 with Absolut Reality x Bob Moses, the world's first live VR concert. Fans across the U.S. were given front row access to a sold-out Bob Moses concert from Brooklyn, New York via 360(o) live virtual reality video.

The Absolut deadmau5 app will be available for download in all major app stores, including iOS, Android and Samsung, and is best experienced using the Limited Edition Absolut deadmau5 VR cardboard headsets - available for pre-order starting today, for $17.95, at Absolutdeadmau5.com.

Check out the Absolut deadmau5 trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TE8v9UNDgdI&feature=youtu.be

Go behind the scenes for the making of Absolut deadmau5:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLvCL2vH84c&feature=youtu.be

About Pernod Ricard USA®
Pernod Ricard USA is the premium spirits and wine company in the U.S., and the largest subsidiary of Paris, France-based Pernod Ricard SA, which employs a workforce of nearly 19,000 people worldwide and is listed on the NYSE Euronext exchange (Ticker: RI).

The company's leading spirits and wines include such prestigious brands as Absolut® Vodka, Chivas Regal® Scotch Whisky, The Glenlivet® Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Jameson® Irish Whiskey, Malibu®, Kahlúa® Liqueur, Beefeater® Gin, Plymouth(TM) Gin, Seagram's Extra Dry Gin®, Martell® Cognac, Hiram Walker® Liqueurs, Pernod®, Ricard® and Avión(TM) Tequila; such superior wines as Jacob's Creek®, Kenwood® Vineyards and Brancott Estate®; and such exquisite champagnes and sparkling wines as Perrier-Jouët® Champagne, G.H. Mumm(TM) Champagne and Mumm Napa® sparkling wines.

Pernod Ricard USA is based in New York, New York, and has roughly 850 employees across the country. Pernod Ricard USA urges all adults to consume its products responsibly and has an active campaign to promote responsible drinking. For more information on this, please visit: www.acceptresponsibility.org.

About deadmau5
Joel Zimmerman, more commonly known as deadmau5 (pronounced 'dead mouse'), is one of the world's most respected electronic music producers of modern times. Enjoying international chart success with his singles "Professional Griefers," "Sofi Needs A Ladder," "Ghosts 'n' Stuff" and "I Remember," he has also released five critically acclaimed albums: > album title goes here < (which reached #1 on the Billboard Dance/Electronic Chart, #2 on the Billboard Independent Album Chart and #5 on the Billboard Digital Album Chart), 4×4=12 (recently recognized for having sold over 500,000 copies in the United States), For Lack Of A Better Name, Random Album Title and while(1<2). The multiple JUNO Award-winning and GRAMMY®-nominated artist performed at the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards as part of its first ever telecast performance highlighting electronic music. He appeared on the cover of Rolling Stone (summer double issue, 2012), marking him as the first electronic artist to do so. His ability to push the boundaries of his talent grows at an equal rate to his fan base, which counts over nine million on his Facebook page. Look for new music and more exciting things to come from deadmau5 in 2016.



CONTACTS:

Jeffrey Moran Alan Keane

212-372-5364 212-445-8410

Jeffrey.Moran@pernod-ricard.com akeane2@webershandwick.com







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