Daniel Marsteller

Diageo has partnered with MADD, the NFL, and Uber to launch a new “Take a Minute. Make a Plan.” campaign against impaired driving. The 360-degree marketing campaign includes print, digital and out-of-home (OOH) advertisements, broadcast integrations during select NFL games, in-stadium programming including tailgate activations at select games, and targeted Uber messaging with exclusive incentive codes. The campaign will run throughout the remainder of the NFL season.

The long-simmering $25 billion merger between supermarket giants Kroger and Albertsons was blocked in federal court in Oregon today, with U.S. District Judge Adrienne Nelson issuing a temporary injunction. Nelson agreed with the FTC’s position that the tie-up would reduce competition and raise prices for consumers.

A day after federal and state judges blocked the proposed $25 billion merger of supermarket giants Kroger and Albertsons, Albertsons Cos. sued its erstwhile partner and ended its pursuit of the merger, alleging breach of contract, self-serving conduct, and a failure to adequately address regulators’ concerns and push the deal through.

While wholesalers tell SND that consumers continue to be cautious in the on-premise so far this holiday season, the hope for 2025 is that improving consumer confidence leads to a rising tide across the nation’s restaurants and bars. According to Bacardi, the fifth-largest spirits marketer in the U.S. at 17 million cases, the outlook for the on-premise is “mixed but full of potential,” with consumers continuing to show a willingness to trade up on the right propositions.

MGP Ingredients has appointed current CFO Brandon Gall as interim CEO, effective January 1, succeeding David Bratcher, who is also resigning from the board at the end of this year. Additionally, the company has named industry veteran Donn Lux as chairman, succeeding Karen Seaberg.

Sonoma County-based wine and spirits marketer Purple Brands, with annual volume of 400,000 cases, has acquired Dave Phinney’s Savage & Cooke distillery on California’s Mare Island, SND has learned. Purple, founded by industry veteran Derek Benham, plans to use the distillery to expand production of its Redwood Empire whiskey brand, which has risen to 55,000 cases in the U.S. and is growing at about 30% annually. Terms weren’t disclosed.

After parting ways with disgraced former partner Sean Combs at the beginning of this year, Diageo is reportedly mulling the sale of the Cîroc vodka brand.

Cline Family Cellars has long been known for Zinfandel, which remains the anchor of its business four decades after its founding, but the Sonoma County-based winery, founded by Fred and Nancy Cline, is now branching out into new price points and varietals. Current volume for the Cline brand is now around 250,000 cases annually, with the mix shifting into higher price tiers and newer labels within the portfolio.

Florida-based restaurant giant Darden posted sales up 6% to $2.9 billion in its second quarter ended November 24, boosted by blended same-restaurant sales up 2.4% as well as the addition of 103 Chuy’s restaurants and 39 net new locations.

Los Angeles-based private equity group Butterfly has completed its acquisition of California luxury wine player Duckhorn for $11.10 per share, in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $1.95 billion. The deal was originally announced in October. Previously a public company, The Duckhorn Portfolio’s common stock has now ceased trading and will no longer be listed on the New York Stock Exchange.