Celebrity Alcohol Brands

This past week in class we talked a little about the explosive growth of Casamigos and Miraval, both of which are backed by celebrity personas, which had me wondering who else is behind some of the biggest brands in the industry.

Celebrities are increasingly involved with brands, often receiving equity in exchange for promotion, taking board seats, or as founders. In a world with many choices for consumers to pick between, these individuals often provide a way to differentiate a product and help a brand stand for something in an effort to be authentic.

Matthew Mcconaughey’s Wild Turkey Longbranch Whisky
Matthew has served as the ‘Creative Director’ of Kentucky, USA bourbon whiskey brand since 2016

George Clooney’s Tequila Casamigos
A joint partnership with businessman Rande Gerber and property developer Mike Meldman

Diddy’s Ciroc and Deleon
Diddy (real name Sean Combs) has become synonymous with his alcohol brands in recent years. Diddy took on all marketing responsibilities for struggling French vodka brand CIROC (manufactured by Diageo) back in 2007. That year the vodka was only shifting around 40k units per year, but by 2012 an incredible 2.1 million units were sold

Dave Matthews Dreaming Tree Wine
Dave Matthews, of the Dave Matthews Band fame, launched his own line of wines in 2011 called ‘Dreaming Tree.’ Made in collaboration with Sonoma County winemaker Sean McKenzie, it is named after the Dave Matthew Band ‘The Dreaming Tree’ track

David Beckham’s Scotch Whisky
Since 2014 David Beckham has been the face of Haig Club, a luxury Scottish highland whiskey in partnership with Diageo

Justin Timberlake’s Tequila
In 2009 he launched his own tequila and then partnered with established tequila brand Sauza to re-launch it in 2014, calling it Sauza 901 – named after Justin’s hometown post code of Memphis, Tennessee

Ryan Reynold’s Gin
Purchased Aviation Gin, a Portland, Oregon based gin company.

AC/DC
In 2016, AC/DC announced they would be releasing their own high-quality tequila. The band had previously entered the beverage market with offerings like beer, wine, and a High Voltage energy drink. The tequila, named Thunderstruck after their 1990 hit, comes in Silver, Reposado and Anejo and sells for $29.99-39.99

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie Rose

The 2012 Chateau Miraval Cotes de Provence Rose was produced on the vineyards at Brangelina's estate in the south of France

Drake's Virginia Black Whiskey

In a joint venture back in 2016, the Grammy-winning rapper and spirits producer Brent Hocking launched an aged Bourbon whiskey

Source: Barstool