Liquor Companies Continue Aggressive Marketing With Hip-Hop Industry!!!!!!!

by **J The Kidd** Sun Sep 07, 2008 1:22 am

Drinks Americas and Interscope Records formed a partnership over a
year ago. Finally in August movement was made on this deal as Drinks
Americas and Dr. Dre announced a partnership to form Aftermath Cognac
and Aftermath Vodka. Originally slated to hit stores by October in
conjunction with Dre’s long awaited album “Detox” rumors are that the
album and the Aftermath Cognac have been delayed due to the recent
death of Dre’s son. Dre’s deal calls for equity partnership and not a
flat endorsement fee. This gives him the proper incentive to push the
brand and his Aftermath name at the same time. Drinks Americas is also
no stranger to the celeb liquor business as it also released a Donald
Trump brand of vodka and a Willie Nelson bourbon.

These are just four of the handful of recent liquor and hip-hop artist
deals that have made the headlines. Always hoping for another Busta
Rhymes / Courvoisier, these companies are willing to bet millions in
hopes of becoming the next “it” drink of the hip-hop generation. Smart
strategic marketing for the liquor companies or just throwing their
money away?

It’s no secret that liquor has always been an influential part of
hip-hop culture. When Busta Rhymes released his single “Pass the
Courvoisier” in 2003, sales of the French Cognac grew upwards of 30%.
When Snoop Dogg came out with “Gin & Juice” and mentioned
Tanqueray, the gin company also saw a similar healthy upswing in the
market. Part of the appeal of rap stars and their drink of choice is
that when you hit the clubs, you can buy that same exact drink.

You feel like a star, a gangster, a thug, a player, a mogul…all based
on what you drink. Liquor companies know this power that they yield
which is why every major liquor company has a Blacks or “urban”
demographic advertising agency or marketing arm. Some have slammed this
practice calling it exploitation. The proverbial “gun store and liquor
store on every street corner” argument.

Regardless, in today’s financially burdensome times, hip-hop artists
would be considered crazy to pass up multi-million dollar deals with
liquor companies that are looking for some branding attention. WoooHa,
Inc. takes a closer look at these recent deals:

Liquor Companies Continue Aggressive Marketing With Hip-Hop Industry!!!!!!! L_e47c2fe15b72864a2cea43b7d50a9200

Liquor Companies Continue Aggressive Marketing With Hip-Hop Industry!!!!!!! L_e47c2fe15b72864a2cea43b7d50a9200

Absolut made a smart move by becoming the official sponsor to
Kayne’s summer Glow In The Dark Tour which sold out across the country.
Unlike Diddy’s much publicized deal, Absolut and Kanye kept things at
the grass roots level and it has paid off. The tour was a success and
the viral “Be Kanye” ads have been an online phenomenon.

Liquor Companies Continue Aggressive Marketing With Hip-Hop Industry!!!!!!! L_52ff14a9d6640eee61db69aab1eea411

Liquor Companies Continue Aggressive Marketing With Hip-Hop Industry!!!!!!! L_52ff14a9d6640eee61db69aab1eea411

Lil Wayne and emerging spirits company Straight Up Brands formed a
partnership earlier this July to form Halo Champagne. As part of the
deal, Straight Up Brands will handle all logistics including trade
marketing and distribution. They are no strangers to the hip-hop liquor
game as they also handle SIzzurp Cognac from M.O.P. and Lucky Nite
Vodka by Lil’ Flip. Halo is due out later this year and will come in
four different variations, Halo Brut, Halo Brut Vintage, Halo Rose and
Halo Pinnacle. Weezy made his first appearance with a bottle of Halo in
his “Lollipop” music video.

Liquor Companies Continue Aggressive Marketing With Hip-Hop Industry!!!!!!! L_181017fa4c2cef7e14df24dc7d284adf

Liquor Companies Continue Aggressive Marketing With Hip-Hop Industry!!!!!!! L_181017fa4c2cef7e14df24dc7d284adf

The most notable of all liquor deals. Ciroc paid Diddy a cool $100
million to become the official spokesperson for the Vodka company.
While Diddy was quick out the gate with a series of online and TV ads,
there have been mixed reviews as to the effectiveness of the campaign.
It doesn’t help that online allegations of Diddy cheating on Ciroc made
the liquor company look like a fool. Diddy maintains that it is not an
endorsement deal and that the brand receives his daily attention. The
verdict is still out.

by **The Remedy** Sun Sep 07, 2008 3:31 am

Dre's gotta be getting some major money

Liquor Companies Continue Aggressive Marketing With Hip-Hop Industry!!!!!!!

Liquor Companies Continue Aggressive Marketing With Hip-Hop Industry!!!!!!!

Re: Liquor Companies Continue Aggressive Marketing With Hip-Hop Industry!!!!!!!