Beam Names Ogilvy Chicago Creative Agency of Record for Pinnacle® Vodka

DEERFIELD, Ill., Aug. 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Beam Inc. (NYSE: BEAM), a leading global premium spirits company, has named Ogilvy Chicago as its Creative Agency of Record for Pinnacle Vodka.

Beam acquired the fast-growing Pinnacle® Vodka brand in May. With a sustained track record of strong double-digit growth, Pinnacle has already become the fourth largest imported vodka brand in the United States. 2012 volumes are expected to exceed 3 million 9-liter cases. 

"We are excited to bring Ogilvy on board to our Beam Pinnacle family," said Deb Boyda, General Manager Venture Category Business Team for Beam. "Pinnacle's classic unflavored vodka was the U.S. market's fastest-growing non-flavored imported vodka in 2011. As we continue to pioneer some of the most exciting flavors in the vodka category, including the outstanding success of the Pinnacle line of Whipped dessert-flavored vodkas, we look forward to the creative contributions Ogilvy can make as our partner in growth."

"We're absolutely thrilled to partner with Beam on Pinnacle. It's an incredible creative opportunity. Let the brand immersion begin," said Lee Newman, President of Ogilvy Chicago. 

Ogilvy Chicago will come on board effective immediately. Their agency scope will include creative strategy and development for television, digital, print and market activation.

Pinnacle sells at a suggested retail price of $12.99-$13.99 per 750ml bottle.  For more information about Pinnacle Vodka, go to www.PinnacleVodka.com.

About Beam Inc.
As one of the world's leading premium spirits companies, Beam is Crafting the Spirits that Stir the World.  Consumers from all corners of the globe call for the company's brands, including Jim Beam Bourbon, Maker's Mark Bourbon, Sauza Tequila, Pinnacle Vodka, Canadian Club Whisky, Courvoisier Cognac, Teacher's Scotch Whisky, Cruzan Rum, Hornitos Tequila, Knob Creek Bourbon, Laphroaig Scotch Whisky, Kilbeggan Irish Whiskey, EFFEN Vodka, Pucker Flavored Vodka, Larios Gin, Whisky DYC, DeKuyper Cordials, and Skinnygirl Cocktails.  Beam is focused on delivering superior performance with its unique combination of scale with agility and a strategy of Creating Famous Brands, Building Winning Markets and Fueling Our Growth. Beam and its 3,200 passionate associates worldwide generated 2011 sales of $2.8 billion, volume of 34 million 9-liter cases and some of the industry's fastest growing innovations. Headquartered in Deerfield, Illinois, Beam is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol BEAM and is included in the S&P 500 Index and the MSCI World Index.  For more information on Beam, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit www.beamglobal.com and www.drinksmart.com.

About Ogilvy & Mather Chicago
Ogilvy Chicago has been managed under a singular operating model since 2009 that encompasses all of the Ogilvy disciplines under one roof and one P&L: Ogilvy & Mather Advertising, OgilvyOne, Ogilvy Public Relations, OgilvyAction and RedWorks. 

Ogilvy & Mather is one of the largest marketing communications companies in the world. In 2012, O&M was named Cannes Lions Network of the Year and Most Effective Agency Network by the Effies Global Effectiveness Index. O&M services Fortune Global 500 companies as well as local businesses through its network of more than 450 offices in 120 countries. It is a WPP company (NASDAQ: WPPGY). For more information, visit www.ogilvy.com, or follow us on Twitter at @OgilvyWW and on Facebook.com/Ogilvy.

SOURCE Ogilvy & Mather North America