RUSSIAN STANDARD Vodka Presents "Incredible Pursuits"

NEW YORK, June 11, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Russian Standard Vodka, the world's #1 premium Russian vodka, today launched "Incredible Pursuits," a nationwide search for extraordinary innovators and game-changers setting higher standards. Entrepreneurs from all industries are invited to compete for the chance to win a $10,000 prize to fuel their endeavor, receive mentor sessions within their industry, a two page feature in recognized regional magazines across the country, and a party in Miami to celebrate their achievement with three of their closest friends.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130611/NY29496-INFO )

The status quo for vodka is a spirit without color, aroma or taste. However, Roustam Tariko, entrepreneur and founder of Russian Standard Vodka, believes there should be a higher standard of vodka, one that combines extraordinary purity and taste. His passion, perseverance and ingenuity led to the creation of Russian Standard Vodka, a vodka that is made of 100% authentic Russian ingredients - water of glacial origin and the finest winter wheat. State of the art production methods bring a century of Russian vodka expertise to the 21^st century to achieve the incredible balance of technology and tradition, resulting in the highest quality vodka possible. Today, Russian Standard Vodka is a globally recognized spirits brand that is found in over 75 countries and selling nearly 3 million 9L cases worldwide.

"It is in the entrepreneurial spirit of our founder that Russian Standard Vodka launches the 'Incredible Pursuits' national program. We want to recognize, support and celebrate the brave entrepreneurs looking to achieve the incredible by challenging their status quo," says Leonid Yangarber, CEO of Russian Standard.

RussianstandardPursuits.com is designed to give candidates the opportunity to enter the contest by creating a profile and to garner support from their friends and local communities. The voting process begins immediately and continues through August 9^th. Voting will account for 25% of the overall score as the entrants will also be judged by Russian Standard on Passion, Perseverance, and Ingenuity. Visitors to the site will also have access to an online cocktail library dedicated to the latest Russian Standard cocktail recipes – perfect for the summer season. As home to the voting process throughout the search, users will be able to review their fellow peers' submissions and vote up to five times per day which will give frequent voters a chance to win a set of four of the brand's signature Moscow Mule copper mugs.

The final winner of the "Incredible Pursuits" search will receive $10,000 to help fund their project, three mentor sessions within their respective industry, a 2 page feature in several key regional magazines, and an all-expenses paid trip to Miami in December with three of their friends to attend a party in their honor.

Entry:  Beginning June 10, 2013, all interested candidates will be invited to visit RussianStandardPursuits.com to create a profile on the entry site, which will showcase their work. Public voting begins immediately following the profile creation. Fans will be able to vote up to five times per day for their favorite candidates and have the chance to win Moscow Mule Mugs from Russian Standard. Voting for round one ends on August 9^th, 2013.

Semi Finals: Up to five semi-finalists will be determined by public votes as well as judging by Russian Standard Vodka. Profiles will be judged by an internal panel on the criteria of passion, perseverance and ingenuity. Finalists will be asked to create a 60 second video on their endeavors and why they deserve to win. Final round of voting will take place from August 19^th through September 13^th.

Final Winner: The winner of "Incredible Pursuits" will be announced on October 1^st and will celebrate their win with three friends at a party held in their honor in Miami in December.

About Russian Standard Vodka

Russian Standard Vodka is the world's #1 premium Russian vodka. The Russian Standard Vodka portfolio leads the premium segment in Russia with a 50 percent market share and sales of nearly 3 million cases worldwide in 2011.  Roustam Tariko, the founder of Russian Standard, introduced Russian Standard Vodka in 1998 as the first authentic Russian premium vodka.  A mere two years after Russian Standard Vodka launched in Russia, the brand's sales surpassed all imported premium vodkas, leading to broad international expansion as well as the launches of Russian Standard Platinum in 2001, Imperia Vodka in 2004, and Russian Standard Gold in 2008. Now the Russian Standard Vodka portfolio has grown to reach more than 75 markets across Europe, the Americas, Asia and Africa.  Most recently, Russian Standard Vodka was awarded kosher status for all of their products. 

Visit us online at:
http://russianstandardpursuits.com 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RussianStandardVodkaUSA 
Instagram: @RussianStandardVodka 
Twitter: @RussianStandard

SOURCE Russian Standard Vodka