Jim Beam(R) Bourbon Launches Contest to Salute Troops With Four VIP Experiences Throughout the Year

DEERFIELD, Ill., Feb. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Jim Beam® Bourbon, the world's No. 1-selling Bourbon, kicks off "Salute Soldiers with the Spirit of America," a program designed to welcome home the troops returning from tours of duty, support those still on duty overseas, and give service members and their friends memorable experiences throughout the year.

As part of the program, Jim Beam® Bourbon has launched a contest in which those of legal drinking age may nominate service members who are 21 years of age or older for a chance to win VIP, legendary experiences at a high-profile sporting or music event. To help announce the contest, Jim Beam® Bourbon and military charity Operation Homefront® have teamed up and invited select soldiers and their buddies to experience the biggest football game of the year in person, and to provide an example of the types of VIP packages contest entrants will have the opportunity to win.

Through June 21, friends and families of the troops can submit nominations of up to 250 words, in English, at www.jimbeam.com or the Jim Beam Facebook fan page (www.facebook.com/jimbeam) describing why their friend or family member in the military deserves to be honored by Jim Beam(1).

The Grand Prize winners and their nominees will receive special treatment and exclusive access to one of the following events:

• The famous thoroughbred stakes race at Churchill Downs on May 1, 2010 as well as a visit to the Jim Beam distillery and a VIP bourbon tasting and meal with Fred Noe, seventh-generation Jim Beam distiller and great-grandson of Jim Beam.
• The final two days of a major golf championship at Pebble Beach on June 19 and 20, 2010.
• A home game for a professional baseball team on Chicago's South Side on July 10, 2010.
• A Kid Rock concert and the opportunity to meet Kid Rock in 2010.

Additionally, Americans can show their support by simply texting the word SALUTE to 90999 to add $5 to their phone bills as a donation to Operation Homefront(2), a nonprofit organization providing emergency and morale assistance to troops, to the families they leave behind while they serve, and to wounded warriors when they return home. They can also share their own virtual toasts (or personal messages) on the Jim Beam Facebook fan page.

Jim Beam and Operation Homefront

Jim Beam is initiating the opportunity for troops to experience these extraordinary events with a trip to the biggest football game of the year. The participating soldiers, nominated randomly through Operation Homefront, were selected to help announce the contest based on their character, integrity and desire to bond with a friend/family member at the game.

"At Jim Beam we want to ensure that returning soldiers' welcome home is not only memorable, but that it includes exciting experiences shared with family and friends," said Kelly Doss, senior director of bourbon and whiskeys, Beam Global. "By giving returning soldiers the chance to enjoy great times with loved ones we hope they'll learn just how much we appreciate the sacrifices they've made on America's behalf."

Jim Beam will continue its commitment to Operation Homefront, as well, with an initial donation this year of $150,000 to the organization. Most recently Jim Beam distributed 50,000 cases of a commemorative Operation Homefront bottle to help raise awareness of the organization. To learn more about the Jim Beam relationship with Operation Homefront, please visit www.jimbeam.com/partnerships/operation-homefront.  

"Opportunities like this mean a lot to our troops, who put themselves in harm's way on our behalf," said Jim Knotts, president and CEO of Operation Homefront. "As part of Team USA, they love being able to cheer on the teams at the biggest football game of the year! I applaud Jim Beam for its steadfast support of our nation's military."

Jim Beam is committed to social responsibility and advises legal purchase age consumers to drink smart®. Through drinksmart.com, Beam Global educates legal purchase age consumers about how to make responsible choices about alcohol.

About Beam Global Spirits & Wine

Inspiring conversations around the world, Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc. is building brands people want to talk about. Consumers from all corners of the globe call for our brands, including Jim Beam® Bourbon, Sauza® Tequila, Canadian Club® Whisky, Courvoisier® Cognac, Maker's Mark® Bourbon, Laphroaig® Scotch Whisky, Cruzan® Rum, Larios® Gin, Whisky DYC®, Teacher's® Scotch Whisky, DeKuyper® Cordials and Liqueurs and Knob Creek® Bourbon. Beam Global Spirits & Wine is part of Fortune Brands, Inc. (NYSE: FO), a leading consumer brands company recently named one of the World's Most Admired Companies by Fortune magazine. For more information on Beam Global Spirits & Wine, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, visit www.beamglobal.com and www.drinksmart.com.

About Operation Homefront

Operation Homefront® provides emergency and morale assistance for our troops, the families they leave behind and to wounded warriors when they return home. A nonprofit 501(c)(3), Operation Homefront leads more than 4,500 volunteers in 30 chapters nationwide, and has provided critical assistance to more than 45,000 military families in need. Operation Homefront also hosts the Web community Operation Homefront Online. For more information, please visit www.operationhomefront.net and www.homefrontonline.com.

Jim Beam® Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 40% Alc./Vol.

©2010 James B. Beam Distilling Co., Clermont, KY.

(1)  No purchase necessary. Must be a legal resident of the 50 United States or D.C. (except CA) and 21 years of age or older to participate. Void where prohibited. Subject to complete official rules, available at www.JimBeam.com or www.Facebook.com/JimBeam. Contest started February 2, 2010 at 12:00:01 a.m. Eastern Time ("ET"). On-line entries must be transmitted and received by June 21, 2010 at 11:59:59 p.m. ET. Enter online at www.JimBeam.com or www.Facebook.com/JimBeam.

(2)  A one-time donation of $5 will be added to your mobile phone bill or deducted from your prepaid balance. You will also receive up to 1 message per day from Operation Homefront Alerts. Msg&Data Rates May Apply. All charges are billed by and payable to your mobile service provider. Service is available on most carriers. Donations are collected for the benefit of Operation Homefront by the mGive Foundation and subject to the terms found at www.mGive.com/A. To unsubscribe text STOP to 90999, for help text HELP to 90999.

Contact: Fallon O'Connor, +1-312-240-2884, [email protected].

SOURCE Beam Global Spirits & Wine