BACARDI® Rum Introduces New BACARDI Classic Cocktails Light Low Calorie Ready-to-Drink Line With Actress Busy Philipps

Ready-to-drink cocktails in Pina Colada and Mojito flavors are the first in the new low calorie line

CORAL GABLES, Fla., May 23, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- BACARDI® , the world's favorite and most awarded rum, debuts BACARDI Classic Cocktails Light, a new line of low-calorie, ready-to-serve beverages. To introduce the new line, BACARDI rum is joining forces with Busy Philipps, who, as a mom, actress and perpetual party host, knows about the importance of convenience and having fun.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120523/DC12140 )

The new cocktail collection builds off of the original BACARDI Classic Cocktails "open and pour" line. At less than 95 calories for a 4-ounce serving, BACARDI Classic Cocktails Light is available in Pina Colada and Mojito flavors and is made with natural flavors, real juice and pure cane sugar. Whether enjoying a favorite cocktail after a long day or throwing a party, BACARDI Classic Cocktails deliver classic cocktail taste that's a hit with friends, and won't take all day to prepare.

"Premixed cocktails have become a staple behind the bar – especially for home entertainers," said Toby Whitmoyer, vice president and brand managing director, rum category, at Bacardi U.S.A. "Two of the most popular cocktails from our BACARDI Classic Cocktails line are the Pina Colada and the Mojito. Quality-wise, this product fits right in on the shelf next to the other BACARDI rums, but we also look forward to attracting new consumers, who are looking for a low-calorie, ready-to-serve option with BACARDI Classic Cocktails Light."

Busy Philipps understands today's woman – managing a busy and eclectic life with her profession, family, workout schedule and social activities. BACARDI Classic Cocktails Light save her time and energy, and are perfect for home entertaining or for any social occasion. Simply pour over ice in your favorite glass to serve the perfect BACARDI classic cocktail.

"Between taking care of my family and filming, time gets tight and party-planning can be stressful. BACARDI Classic Cocktails Light is going to be my savior. It's like having a live-in bartender; one less thing to get done before the doorbell starts ringing," said Philipps. "Plus they're tasty and low-calorie – it's the beginning of a beautiful friendship!"

The launch will be supported with a multi-faceted campaign which will kick off in mid-May and run through September. The ad campaign will appear in print with a focus on entertainment and women's lifestyle media, while the digital components will span entertainment, lifestyle, and party-planning content sites. It will also include sampling events in 22 selected markets in states including New York, California, Florida, Illinois, Nevada, Missouri, Massachusetts, Maryland, Virginia, Michigan, Rhode Island, Minnesota, Colorado, South Carolina, and Texas.

"Busy Philipps is an ideal fit for this product," said Whitmoyer. "In addition to the advertising campaign, Busy will be a big part of our summer social media plans, showing fans via Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest how she hosts big summer weekend parties with the help of BACARDI Classic Cocktails Light."

Made with natural flavors, BACARDI Classic Cocktails Light will be distributed in 750 ml size, and 1.75 liters.

For more information, and to watch Busy's webisodes, visit the BACARDI Classic Cocktails Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/bacardiclassiccocktails.

About BACARDI Rums
In 1862, BACARDI revolutionized the spirits industry when founder Don Facundo BACARDI began producing his remarkable light-bodied, smooth rum – BACARDI, the world's favorite premium rum brand. The unique taste of BACARDI Rum inspired cocktail pioneers to invent some of the world's most famous drinks including the BACARDI Mojito, the BACARDI Daiquiri, the BACARDI Cuba Libre, the BACARDI Pina Colada and the BACARDI Presidente.  BACARDI Rum has won more than 400 awards for quality and product profile.  Today, BACARDI rum is produced in Puerto Rico, following the production legacy set forth by Don Facundo – crafted in a five step distillation process, aged in American white oak barrels, and filtered five times for unparalleled quality and smoothness.

About Bacardi U.S.A., Inc.
Bacardi U.S.A., Inc. is the United States import and distribution arm of one of the world's leading spirits and wine producers. The company boasts a portfolio of some of the most recognized and top-selling spirits brands in the United States including BACARDI® rum, the world's favorite and best-selling premium rum, as well as the world's most awarded rum; GREY GOOSE® vodka, the world-leader in super-premium vodka; DEWAR'S® Blended Scotch Whisky, the number-one selling blended Scotch whisky in the United States; BOMBAY SAPPHIRE® gin, the top-valued and fastest-growing premium gin  in  the world; CAZADORES® 100 percent blue agave tequila, the number-one premium tequila in Mexico and a top-selling premium tequila in the United  States; MARTINI® vermouth, the world-leader in  vermouth; and other leading and emerging brands. For additional information, visit www.bacardiusa.com.

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©2012 BACARDI AND THE BAT DEVICE ARE REGISTERED TRADEMARKS OF BACARDI & COMPANY LIMITED. BACARDI U.S.A., INC., CORAL GABLES, FL. DISTILLED SPIRITS SPECIALTIES –(MOJITO – 12.5% ALC. BY VOL.), (PINA COLADA – 11.5% ALC. BY VOL.).

AVERAGE ANALYSIS – (MOJITO – SERVING SIZE: 1.5 fl. oz., CALORIES: 34.7, CARBOHYDRATES: 0.6g, PROTEIN: 0g, FAT: 0g), (PINA COLADA – SERVING SIZE: 1.5 fl. oz., CALORIES: 34.7, CARBOHYDRATES: 1.4g, PROTEIN: 0g, FAT: 0g).  ALL OTHER MARKS ARE TRADEMARKS OR REGISTERED TRADEMARKS OF THEIR RESPECTIVE OWNERS. 

SOURCE Bacardi U.S.A., Inc.