McDowell's No 1, India's largest alco bev brand by volume and by retail value, has signed up Bollywood star and director, Farhan Akhtar, for its Soda extension. Farhan, alongwith, Purab Kohli, Cyrus Sahukar, Zoa Morani and Chang, will feature in a TVC going on air this week. This is the first instance of McDowell's No. 1 signing up brand ambassadors since its launch four decades ago. The brand has brought alive the promise of Dosti Ka No.1 Spirit, through unique big ticket activations including multi city musicals with Bryan Adams, Enrique, Bollywood music directors, Shankar, Ehsaan and Loy, Vishal and Shekhar.

June 27, 2012 /India PRwire/ -- According to Ashok Capoor, President and Managing Director, United Spirits Limited, " McDowell's No. 1 represents the social aspirations of today's youth. Spending time with friends is paramount for them. The McDowell's No.1 group of friends - our new brand ambassadors from Bollywood - echo these sentiments and situations that anyone can easily identify with. McDowell's No. 1 has set benchmarks for the alco bev industry - be it be the unmatched sales of 17 million cases this year, innovations in packaging, large unique events, activations and promotions. McDowell's No.1's association with Farhan, Purab, Zoa, Chang and Cyrus will set a similar benchmark for friends wanting to have a good time together. The new TVC is themed on the " No.1 spirit of friendship" and showcases interesting friendship moments appropriately for McDowell's No. 1 given its stellar performance in the industry."

The brand has journeyed through being the catalyst to the winning 'McDowell's Moments', being the consumer's 'Mera No1.' choice, raising a toast- 'Cheers to life', to 'Happy hours with friends'.

A partner to life's 'Golden Moments' for decades now, McDowell's No.1 was crowned India's No.2 FMCG Brand, apart from picking up several other awards for innovation and design. That McDowell's No. 1 is appreciated well in the company of friends, lends credence to the brand's step towards embracing the spirit of friendship from which memorable moments are born. The brand sales are valued at two billion dollars at retail price.

Follow McDowell's No. 1 at www.facebook.com/McDowellsNo1. You can view the TVC on https://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10150940001908743&saved

Source: Press release distribution via India PRwire

Notes to Editor

About McDowell's No. 1:

Winner of several international awards for its taste and innovations in packaging, McDowell's No.1 is the largest alco bev brand by volume and value, from United Spirits Limited.

McDowell's No. 1 launched its premium grain based variant, McDowell's No. 1 Platinum, in 2010, which sold one million cases in its debut year.

The McDowell's No. 1 franchise grew at 9% last year, ahead of its industry peers.

About United Spirits Limited:

United Spirits Limited (USL) is the largest Alcobev company in the world by volume and the Rs. 9103 crores spirits arm of the UB Group. USL was earlier McDowell and Company Limited. USL is headquartered in Bangalore with a global footprint and has 7500 employees across various locations. USL has a portfolio of more than 140 brands, of which 22 are millionaire brands and has 84 manufacturing and bottling units at locations across the country.

USL represents the merged entities of erstwhile McDowell & Co. Limited, Phipson Distillery Limited, United Spirits Limited, Herbertsons Limited, Triumph Distillers and Vintners Private Limited, Baramati Grape Industries Limited, United Distillers India Limited, McDowell International Brands Limited and Shaw Wallace Distilleries Limited and Shaw Wallace & Co. Limited.

With the acquisition of Bouvet Ladubay in 2006, the UB Group has made a strategic entry into of the wines category. Bouvet-Ladubay, located in the Loire valley of the Saumur region in France, has a heritage of over 156 years.

The company currently has a capacity of 8 million bottles per annum, with further scope for expansion whenever required. Bouvet Ladubay is sold across the world in over 38 countries.

In 2007, United Spirits acquired the Glasgow-based Whyte and Mackay and ramped up its premium scotch and single malts portfolio significantly. Whyte & Mackay also owns four malt whisky distilleries in Scotland and a state-of-the-art bottling facility in Grangemouth with a capacity of 12 million cases per annum.

Note to the Editors: The erstwhile McDowell & Co. Limited were first established as a proprietary business in 1826. For detailed information, please visit www.unitedspirits.in

For more information, please contact:
Dhana Lakshmi (Manager) (M) 9900144715

Vaneet Singh Sethi (Executive) (M) 7829881884