DJ P Earns "Master of the Mix" Title for 2012, Winning SMIRNOFF® Vodka's DJ Reality TV Competition and $250,000!

NORWALK, Conn., Jan. 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- SMIRNOFF®, the world's best-selling vodka, announced DJ P from Springfield, Missouri as Season Two winner of the brand's reality television show, Master of the Mix. After making the cut and surviving the cross-country open casting tour with Kid Capri and previous Season 1 contestants, DJ P battled the best of underground talent and preserved 10-weeks of grilling from revered producer and host, Just Blaze, world famous DJ, Kid Capri, model and socialite Amber Rose, and Master of the Mix Season 1 runner-up and noted DJ, Vikter Duplaix, to take home the grand prize of a $250,000 contract with SMIRNOFF and joining DJ Scratch as the "Master of the Mix" as determined by fan voting on the show's Facebook page.

"I'm so proud of everything we accomplished with Season Two and am honored that we'll have the opportunity to responsibly raise a glass and celebrate our success with DJ P, a true old school deejay and vinyl purist," said David Tapscott, Brand Director, SMIRNOFF. "Season Two was everything we wanted and more – from the inspiring contestants to the unique challenges to the fans who helped to consistently make us a global trending topic on Twitter. SMIRNOFF really could not have asked for a better follow-up season!"

Admired and applauded weekly by the judges for his dedication to spinning vinyl, his fellow contestants for his mixes, and the crowds for his skills behind the turntables, DJ P was judged on his technical ability, track selection, originality, and crowd response. As the Season 2 winner of Master of the Mix, DJ P has earned serious bragging rights in the deejay community and is the winner of $250,000 in cash and prizes.

After the casting kick-off, viewers followed DJ P along with 10 other Master of the Mix hopefuls from Los Angeles to New York on a Master of the Mix tour bus, where the chosen DJs were put into unique deejay experiences – from Go-Go in D.C. to House in Chicago and everything in between. In the show's final episode, DJ M-Squared, DJ Yonny, and DJ P battled it out for the judges to prove their worthiness of the Master of the Mix title, but it was ultimately the fans who voted at Facebook.com/Master of the Mix for their favorite contestant, crowning DJ P as the "Master of the Mix".

"It feels so surreal – I can't believe I'm the Season Two winner of Master of the Mix," said DJ P, Master of the Mix Season 2 Winner. "I was up against some serious competition and really didn't know how it would all work out because it was up to the fans to decide. I'm just thankful to everyone who supported me and can't wait to spin for you all this year!"

SMIRNOFF has been at the heart of nightlife culture for generations and continues to be a staple for responsible celebration everywhere.  As the Season 2 winner, DJ P will serve as the face of Master of the Mix, making appearances at SMIRNOFF events throughout 2012.

For additional information, please visit www.masterofthemix.com for photos and behind-the-scenes coverage.  And while mixing it up, always remember to enjoy SMIRNOFF responsibly.

About SMIRNOFF
SMIRNOFF, the world's number-one selling premium spirit and the top-selling flavored vodka in North America, traces its heritage back to 19th century Russia. As the most awarded vodka brand in the world, SMIRNOFF has always been known for quality and is enjoyed responsibly in 130 countries around the world.   For more information, log on to www.SMIRNOFF.com.  

About Diageo
Diageo (Dee-AH-Gee-O) is the world's leading premium drinks business with an outstanding collection of beverage alcohol brands across spirits, wines and beer categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Guinness, SMIRNOFF, J&B, Baileys, Cuervo, Tanqueray, Captain Morgan, Crown Royal, Beaulieu Vineyard and Sterling Vineyards wines.

Diageo is a global company, trading in more than 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (DGE).  For more information about Diageo, its people, brands, and performance, visit us at Diageo.com. For our global resource that promotes responsible drinking through the sharing of best practice tools, information and initiatives, visit DRINKiQ.com.

Celebrating life, every day, everywhere, responsibly.

SOURCE Diageo