Live Generously And Life Will Treat You Royally

GIMLI, Manitoba, Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Since 2012, #GivingTuesday has come to represent a worldwide effort to inspire the spirit of giving during the holiday season, raising $116.7 million online just last year. Today, in celebration of that spirit, Crown Royal Canadian Whisky is proud to introduce its new campaign, titled "Live Generously and Life Will Treat You Royally." With a mission to inspire generosity in all of its many forms, the campaign embodies the belief that a generous life is a life well-lived and that the road to royalty is paved with integrity, charity and passion.

Experience the interactive Multimedia News Release here: http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7986751-crown-royal-live-generously

Crown Royal's generous roots can be traced back to its creation in 1939 when a Canadian spirits entrepreneur welcomed the visiting King and Queen of England with a one-of-a-kind gift: a blend of his fifty finest whiskies presented in an intricate decanter and the now-iconic purple bag. Seventy-seven years later, Crown Royal upholds its legacy of producing the finest whisky, while continuing philanthropic partnerships and honoring individuals with a noble spirit.

"Live Generously" is rooted in the belief that a magnanimous approach to life is infinitely rewarding. At a time when traditional symbols of status and luxury are increasingly unattainable, Crown Royal believes that generosity reigns supreme as the greatest status symbol of all. The campaign will be powered by The Generosity Engine, a proprietary data platform currently in beta, which looks to highlight and facilitate real-time acts of generosity across the country. As we examine the facets of generosity across America, the brand seeks to reward those who are living generously.

"The notion of generosity is at the heart of Crown Royal," said Sophie Kelly, SVP of Marketing for DIAGEO North American Whiskies. "As one of America's most-loved, most-shared and most-gifted whiskies, we have a fortunate role in culture and with this effort, we're using our platform to put generosity on the throne where it belongs. We hope to inspire others to share their talents, their time, their resources or simply a smile."

The launch comes at an exciting time for Crown Royal, as the brand experiences significant growth, due in part to successful new products such as Crown Royal Regal Apple and Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye, and a continued emphasis on innovative marketing. As the category leader, Crown Royal sold 5.2 million nine-liter cases in 2015, an 18% increase over 2014, according to Impact Databank.

The "Live Generously" campaign will feature real people, places and moments that exemplify those who live generously, no matter how big or small. Some highlights include Dallas-based country musician Ray Johnston who received a lifesaving bone marrow transplant from a complete stranger and pays it forward by sharing the gift of music with local hospital patients; military hero Omar Valentine who serves as an ambassador for Atlanta-based Healing4Heroes, which connects wounded veterans with service dogs; and bartender Brian Floyd who created the Barman's Fund to inspire his fellow barkeeps to donate their tips to local charities in their cities.

In celebration of our campaign launch on #GivingTuesday, Crown Royal is partnering with GoodWorld, a tech startup that fuels charitable giving on social media. Together we're encouraging people to support worthy causes by commenting #donate on participating charities' Facebook posts, tweeting #donate at a cause's username or by signing up at GoodWorld.me to trigger real-time donations.

As an incentive, Crown Royal will donate $1 to our longstanding partners at Packages From Home for every person who registers with GoodWorld between #GivingTuesday and the end of the year, up to $50,000. Crown Royal and Packages From Home have worked together to send nearly half a million Crown Royal Care Packages to active duty troops overseas over the past five years.

The campaign and its elements were developed in collaboration with Anomaly New York, Taylor Strategy, Vayner Media, Colangelo Synergy Marketing, starpower, Carat, Just Marketing International, Lush Life, Wasserman and Western Unlimited. "We're incredibly proud of this work and our growing partnership with Crown Royal," said Karina Wilsher, Anomaly New York CEO. "This is a true brand purpose. We want to inspire people to live with exceptional generosity. It's something we should all do, now more than ever."

And as the holiday season surrounds us with the spirit of giving, Crown Royal reminds drinkers that living generously means drinking responsibly or volunteering to be a designated driver.

About Crown Royal
Crown Royal Canadian Whisky is the number-one selling Canadian whisky brand in the U.S. with a tradition as long and distinctive as its taste.  Specially blended to commemorate a grand tour of Canada made by King George VI and Queen Elizabeth of Great Britain in 1939, the smooth, elegant flavor and gift-worthy presentation reflect its regal origins. For more information visit www.crownroyal.com. Crown Royal encourages all consumers to please enjoy responsibly.

About Diageo
Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands including Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, Bulleit and Buchanan's whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness.

Diageo is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and our products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands, and performance, visit us at www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo's global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice.

Follow us on Twitter for news and information about Diageo North America: @Diageo_NA.

Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.

About Our Partners

• #GivingTuesday: Entering its fifth year, #GivingTuesday is a global day of giving fueled by the power of social media and collaboration. Celebrated on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving (in the U.S.), #GivingTuesday kicks off the charitable season, when many focus on their holiday and end-of-year giving. For more information visit www.givingtuesday.org.
• GoodWorld: GoodWorld is fueling Social Giving, the next wave of seamless, viral charitable payments on Facebook and Twitter with just a hashtag: #donate. For more information visit www.goodworld.me.
• Packages From Home: Packages From Home is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to send care and comfort packages to deployed American military heroes who are stationed in active duty theaters around the world. For more information visit www.packagesfromhome.org.

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SOURCE Crown Royal