Over the past decade German wine has shed its excess baggage like a celebrity on a fad diet, leaving behind the frumpy hausfrau image of the Liebfraumilch and Hock generation. Many consumers won’t even remember the days when cheap, sweet, bulk-produced German wines dominated the marketplace. Today German wine sales in the off-trade are dominated by sleek brands with innovative marketing campaigns designed to draw…

Lawsuits come in thick and fast when you’re among the world’s top 25 alcoholic drinks suppliers and have a higher turnover than many small countries. Gallo has tangled with murderers and drug dealers — who sued the brand after blaming their crimes on drunkenness — as well as consumers who bought fake Pinot Noir and several snarling lawyers during bitter trademark disputes. But even the seasoned combatants…

Global Brands has hired comedian Keith Lemon to front an ad campaign for lemon-flavoured RTD Hooch. Lemon – real name Leigh Francis – is famed for hosting panel show Celebrity Juice and hit the big screen last year in Keith Lemon: The Film. He will front a campaign including TV slots, outdoor advertising, social media initiatives, on-pack promotions, on-trade activity and celebrity appearances. Global Brands’…

Bombardier is sponsoring Talk Sport’s coverage of the England cricket team’s Ashes campaign in Australia. Further TV ads and POS featuring Rik Mayall’s character William Charles Bedford will build on Bombardier’s links to the cricket team. Marketing manager Emily Hudson said: “There’s a real affinity between Bombardier and cricket, as they’re both very English and reliable with just a touch of eccentricity.” Bombardier also sponsors…