Wild Turkey® Bourbon Reboots Charity Partnership With The Boot Campaign To Support Military Service Men And Women

LAWRENCEBURG, Ky., April 18, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Wild Turkey® Bourbon, the Real Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, announced today that it will continue its commitment to America's veterans by joining forces with The Boot Campaign.  This partnership will bring together America's boldest bourbon whiskey and the premier nonprofit organization that cultivates awareness and provides assistance for the challenges troops face when returning home.  The Boot Campaign is known nationwide for supporting veterans through the sale and promotion of its iconic signature combat boots.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130418/NY97416 )

As part of the partnership, Wild Turkey and the Boot Campaign will launch 'Boots and Bourbon,' a co-branded charity initiative that will roll out in April and continue through September 2013.  As part of Boots and Bourbon, each purchase of Wild Turkey Bourbon will help support the Boot Campaign.  The program will include special co-branded packaging, social media integration and in-store promotions nationwide, along with various fundraising events throughout the year.  Specific event announcements and details can be found at BootCampaign.com or Facebook.com/WildTurkey as they are announced.

"Wild Turkey has, and always will be, passionate about crafting a product of highest quality and unwavering character," said Umberto Luchini, Head of Marketing, Campari America.  "We've maintained a steadfast commitment to the armed services community— last year working with Operation Once in a Lifetime, an organization this new partnership will continue to support—and are proud to take a stand, alongside the Boot Campaign, for the service men and women who, take a stand for our country every day."

"By wearing our Boot Campaign signature combat boots, Wild Turkey Master Distiller Jimmy Russell and Associate Distiller Eddie Russell, along with the entire Wild Turkey team, are championing the valiant efforts of our service members, past and present," said Larry Murray, Boot Campaign Executive Director. "By doing so, Wild Turkey is literally stomping its "boots on the ground" to provide assistance for our veterans through Boots and Bourbon."

Uncompromising since 1855, Wild Turkey is the Real Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Wild Turkey is a true American icon crafted by legendary Master Distiller, Jimmy Russell and his son, Associate Distiller Eddie Russell. Besides the classic Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon, other expressions include Wild Turkey 81, Rare Breed®, Kentucky Spirit®, Wild Turkey 81 Rye and Russell's Reserve®.

The Boot Campaign was started in grassroots fashion by five Texas women in 2009 with the goal of expressing gratitude for our troops and raising awareness of their needs upon return. The Boot Campaign cultivates awareness and promotes patriotism through the sale of its signature combat boots and apparel.  To date, more than 300 celebrities have posed in a pair of the Boot Campaign's combat boots to cultivate awareness. Among this list of notable supporters are Troy Aikman, Dolly Parton, the UFC, Dewayne "The Rock" Johnson, Chris Harrison, and the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders. Three years later, the campaign has grown into a national 501c3 nonprofit that, in addition to cultivating awareness and promoting patriotism, also provides assistance to active duty and veteran U.S. service members.  The assistance of the Boot Campaign is housed within five distinct initiatives – Jobs, Housing, Wellness, Family Support and Urgent Assistance – which provide hands-on care to heal the physical and emotional wounds sustained in combat.  To fulfill the Boot Campaign's vision of cultivating awareness, promoting patriotism and providing assistance, the Boot Campaign holds a variety of fundraising events across the country—several of which will be supported by Wild Turkey in 2013. 

About Campari America
Campari America is a wholly owned subsidiary of Davide Campari-Milano S.p.A. (Reuters CPRI.MI - Bloomberg CPR IM).  At the heart of Campari America are two legends in the American spirits industry.  The first, Skyy Spirits, was founded in San Francisco back in 1992 by the entrepreneur who invented iconic SKYY Vodka.  The second is the world-famous Wild Turkey Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, where they have been making the world's finest whiskies since the 1800's.  Both companies were purchased by Davide Campari-Milano and together they form Campari America, which has built a portfolio unrivaled in its quality, innovation and style, making it a top choice among distributors, retailers and consumers.  Campari America manages Gruppo Campari's portfolio in the US with such leading brands as SKYY® Vodka, SKYY Infusions®, Campari®, Wild Turkey® Straight Kentucky Bourbon, American Honey®, Russell's Reserve®, Glen Grant® Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Cabo Wabo® Tequila, Espolon® Tequila, Appleton® Estate Rum, Wray & Nephew® Rum, Coruba® Rum, Ouzo 12®, X-Rated® Fusion Liqueur®, Frangelico®, Cynar®, Carolans Irish Cream®, Irish Mist® Liqueur, Sagatiba® Cachaca and Jean-Marc XO Vodka®.  Campari America is also the exclusive US distributor of Bowmore® Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Auchentoshan® Lowland Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Glen Garioch® Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky, McClelland's® Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Flor de Cana® Rum, Midori® Melon Liqueur, Hibiki® Whisky, Hakushu® Single Malt Whisky, and The Yamazaki® Single Malt Whisky.

Campari America is headquartered in San Francisco, California.  More information on the company can be found at www.campariamerica.com, www.facebook.com/campariamerica, Twitter: @CampariAmerica and www.camparigroup.com.  Please enjoy Campari America brands responsibly and in moderation.

About Gruppo Campari

Davide Campari-Milano S.p.A., together with its affiliates ('Gruppo Campari'), is a major player in the global beverage sector, trading in over 190 nations around the world with leading positions in Europe and the Americas. The Group was founded in 1860 and today is the sixth-largest player worldwide in the premium spirits industry. The Group's portfolio, with over 50 brands, span spirits, the core business, wines and soft drinks. Internationally-renowned brands include Aperol, Appleton, Campari, Cinzano, SKYY Vodka and Wild Turkey. Headquartered in Sesto San Giovanni, Italy, Campari owns 14 plants and 4 wineries worldwide and has its own distribution network in 16 countries. The Group employs over 4,000 people. The shares of the parent company, Davide Campari-Milano S.p.A. (Reuters CPRI.MI - Bloomberg CPR IM), are listed on the Italian Stock Exchange since 2001. For more information: www.camparigroup.com

Media images are available at http://www.camparigroup.com/en/press_media/image_gallery/campari_download.jsp

About The Boot Campaign

The Boot Campaign is a national 501c3 patriotic movement that is dedicated to showing tangible appreciation of our active military, raising awareness of the challenges they face upon return and supporting their transition home.  Through the sale of its signature military combat boots, general public donations, and corporate sponsorship, the Boot Campaign operates five distinct programs -- Housing, Jobs, Wellness, Urgent Assistance, and Family Support-- that are caring for military personnel, past and present, healing from a variety of physical and emotional combat wounds, embodying the campaign motto that, "When They Come Back, We Give Back".  www.BootCampaign.com

SOURCE Wild Turkey