Ballantine’s Adds BMW Masters to Global Golf Platform

Ballantine’s, the No 2 Scotch whisky in the world, is reinforcing its commitment to golf with a sponsorship agreement with the BMW Masters for the next three years. The inaugural US$7million tournament, sanctioned by the European Tour, will take place at the Lake Malaren Golf Club in Shanghai from 25 – 28 October 2012.

As the official Scotch whisky, Ballantine’s will be highly visible at the tournament, both on the course and through a dedicated VIP hospitality area. Each day, the players scoring the lowest round of the day will be awarded with a bottle of Ballantine’s 17 Year Old, while the tournament winner will be presented with a rare bottle of Ballantine’s 30 Year Old.

Sponsorship of the BMW Masters further enhances Ballantine’s impressive track record of support for European Tour golf events both in Asia and in its homeland, Scotland. Since its founding in 2008, the Ballantine’s Championship has become one of the most prominent events on the professional golf calendar. The Scottish Open, where Ballantine’s is an official sponsor, continues to attract world class talent to its links course at Castle Stuart, just miles away from the spiritual home of Ballantine’s, Glenburgie Distillery.

The BMW Masters is an excellent opportunity for Ballantine’s to support China’s golf boom. The brand continues to support China’s No 1 player, Liang Wen Chong, who in 2007 co-founded the Ballantine’s Golf Fund which aims to boost the development of professional golf in China by supporting emerging talent.

In December 2010, Ballantine’s also established the Ballantine’s Dragon Team, China’s first team of professional golfers who are offered team training with leading golf coaches, full sponsorship of members’ participation in high level tournaments as well as sponsoring their attendance at the annual Ballantine’s Championship in South Korea.

Peter Moore, Ballantine’s Global Brand Director, comments: “We are delighted to be sponsoring the BMW Masters and are very proud to be associated with such a prestigious tournament in China that will welcome the stars of world golf such as world No1, Rory McIlroy, No3 Luke Donald and No4 Lee Westwood. Our sponsorship investment, both at the top of the game and at grass roots level, marks our deepening commitment to world class golf in China.”

Notes:

About Ballantine’s
Ballantine’s is the No 1 ultra-premium whisky in Asia Pacific and the No 1 Scotch whisky in Europe, selling over 70 million bottles a year worldwide. Ballantine’s has won over 80 trophies and medals at international competitions in the past 10 years for quality as a result of its unique richness of character and perfect balance. The range, from Ballantine’s Finest to the iconic 30 Year Old, is the most extensive in the world of Scotch and is maintained by the latest in a tradition of Master Blenders that dates back to 1827.

Ballantine’s association with golf can be traced back to at least 1960 when the Ballantine’s Tournament took place at Wentworth golf course. More than fifty years later, Ballantine’s is the title sponsor of the high-profile Ballantine’s Championship, Korea’s first and only European Tour event and the country’s largest golf tournament, to which the brand is committed until at least 2013. Ballantine’s has been official supplier to the Scottish Open since 2007. The first Ballantine’s sponsored golf tournament was played in 1960 at Wentworth Golf Club, England, and Ballantine’s has been an Official Sponsor of the Omega Mission Hills World Cup in 2009 and 2011.

About Chivas Brothers
Chivas Brothers is the Scotch whisky and premium gin business of Pernod Ricard – the world’s co-leader in wine and spirits. Chivas Brothers is the global leader in luxury Scotch whisky and premium gin. Its portfolio includes Chivas Regal, Ballantine’s, Beefeater Gin, The Glenlivet, Royal Salute, Aberlour, Plymouth Gin, Longmorn, Scapa, 100 Pipers, Clan Campbell, Something Special and Passport.

In July 2010 Chivas Brothers launched The Age Matters campaign to help consumers understand the importance of Scotch whisky age statements.

For further information visit www.chivasbrothers.com