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The outlook and disappointing North American sales in the first-half overshadowed forecast-beating first-half sales thanks to price hikes and as more people drank premium spirits. But Diageo's North America business, which accounts for nearly 30% of overall sales, reported organic sales growth of 3% in the six months ended Dec. 31 versus analyst estimates of over 6%. The company said it expected North American organic net sales growth to "continue to normalise through the second half of fiscal '23, compared to the double-digit growth in the prior period". Still, overall organic net sales rose 9.4% in the six months to Dec. 31, beating analyst forecasts for a 7.9% rise. Diageo's "premium-plus" brands - which are more expensive than brands such as Smirnoff vodka but under about 50 pounds ($61.92), drove 65% of its organic net sales growth, the company said.

☆ Johnnie Walker maker Diageo tops sales estimates helped by premium brands
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Bottles of Johnnie Walker whisky, a brand of Diageo, are seen for sale in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., May 20, 2022. REUTERS/Andrew KellyLONDON, Jan 26 (Reuters) - Diageo (DGE.L), the world's largest spirits maker, beat first-half sales forecasts on Thursday as it raised prices and more people drank premium spirits. The London-based company, which makes Tanqueray gin, Captain Morgan's rum and Ketel One vodka, said organic net sales rose 9.4% in the six months to December 31, beating analyst forecasts for a 7.9% rise. The growth reflected organic volume growth of 1.8%, indicting 7.6 percentage points of higher price growth. Diageo's "premium-plus" brands - which are more expensive than brands such as Smirnoff vodka but under about 50 pounds ($61.92), drove 65% of its organic net sales growth, the company said.

☆ Johnnie Walker-maker Diageo beats first-half sales estimates
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-26 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Johnnie Walker is a brand of Scotch whisky now owned by Diageo, which beat first-half sales forecasts. Diageo , the world's largest spirits maker, beat first-half sales forecasts on Thursday as it raised prices and more people drank premium spirits. The growth reflected organic volume growth of 1.8%, indicting 7.6 percentage points of higher price growth. "If you look at the consumer, the consumer is very savvy," Menezes told CNBC. Since the pandemic, Diageo has also benefited from people buying more expensive types of alcohol while staying home under lockdown.

As speaker, McCarthy has the authority to choose a chairman and Republican members of the panel. Jeffries, as minority leader, can nominate Democrats to serve on the panel, but McCarthy has the power to reject them. He has specifically targeted Schiff and Swalwell who played a major role in the impeachments of former President Donald Trump. Those actions angered McCarthy and for months he has vowed to block Schiff and Swalwell from the Intelligence panel. As recently as Jan. 12, McCarthy told reporters he would not seat Schiff and Swalwell who regularly antagonize McCarthy during cable news appearances.

☆ Ice Spice Broke Out With ‘Munch.’ Rap’s New Princess Is Just Warming Up.
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-20 | by ( Jon Caramanica | More About Jon Caramanica | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

All of her released songs so far have been produced by Riot (born Ephrem Lopez Jr.). The two met when they were both studying communications at SUNY Purchase, where Ice Spice also played volleyball, as she did at the Catholic high school she attended in the Bronx. They found a common language in drill songs that didn’t shy away from the personal, and that were lyrically emphatic, line by line. She also found that writing personal stories came naturally. “It’s just like a relief whenever I complete a song.”Before “Munch,” attention came in fits and starts, not all of it positive.

Persons: ”, “, Ephrem Lopez Jr, “ It’s, “ Munch, Drake unfollowed Organizations: Riot, SUNY, Catholic Locations: Brooklyn, Bronx, Toronto

☆ Bud Light and Budweiser are getting a makeovers at this year’s Super Bowl
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-19 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

The latter, he said, “broke through” during the Super Bowl, but “needs time and commitment” to grow. In recent years, customers have been increasingly choosing premium or Mexican lagers, putting Bud Light out of favor with some beer drinkers. Garbe said the beer is the company’s “number 1 growth engine” and is soon set to overtake Bud Light in sales. Fox, which will broadcast Super Bowl LVII, is reportedly charging $7 million for a 30-second spot during the February 12 game in Glendale, Arizona. Liquor giant Diageo (DEO) is making its Super Bowl debut this year with an ad for Crown Royal whisky.

☆ Diageo to Buy Premium Rum Brand Don Papa
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-17 | by ( Joseph Hoppe | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Diageo and other distillers have sought to nudge the rum category upmarket as drinkers show a propensity to pay for pricier booze. Diageo PLC has agreed to buy Don Papa Rum, a high-end dark rum from the Philippines, in a deal worth up to about $473 million, as the liquor giant bids to move further upmarket. The owner of Johnnie Walker whisky and Tanqueray gin will pay 260 million euros, equivalent to $281 million, upfront for Don Papa, with a further potential consideration of up to €177.5 million through to 2028 subject to performance.

☆ Twitter executives told advertisers to get used to Elon Musk's unpredictability as the company continues hemorrhaging ad dollars, report says
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-11 | by ( Samantha Delouya | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Twitter executives have told advertisers they must get comfortable with Elon Musk's unpredictability, according to The Information. Advertising was by far the most significant source of revenue for Twitter before Musk took over. Twitter executives are reportedly becoming increasingly desperate to bring in additional revenue as some prior ad spending dries up. The downturn in spending comes as Twitter executives have told advertisers – who notoriously prefer uncontroversial content surrounding their ad campaigns – that they need to start getting comfortable with CEO Elon Musk's unpredictability, The Information reports. Advertising was by far the most significant source of revenue for Twitter before Elon Musk took over in October of last year.

☆ The 10 best and worst brands for influencers to work with, according to data from about 9,600 creator reviews
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-09 | by ( Nhari Djan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Creator-review platform FYPM ranked the 10 best and worst brands for influencers to work with. F*** You Pay Me, a platform for creators to anonymously review brands, published in January its first list of the best and the worst brands to work with, based on data from 9,578 responses from influencers on its platform. The list, which was published on FYPM's blog, described some of the characteristics that the best brands have in common. Adobe, at the top of the "best" list, garnered good feedback about its relationships with influencers. Lugrin also said that the variety of businesses that made the "best" list may surprise people, and shows that influencer marketing touches everything.

☆ Meet the 43-year-old 'Vibe Manager' of New York City's Hard Rock Hotel in charge of throwing rooftop parties and curating playlists
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-07 | by ( Hannah Towey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

43-year-old Michael Tello is a "Vibe Manager" at the Hard Rock Hotel in New York City. The "rockstar suite" at the Hard Rock Hotel in New York City. Courtesy of Hard Rock Hotel New YorkBut being able to provide those special touches is also one of the most rewarding parts of the job, he said. Ciara and Didi Richards dance onstage during the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit 2022 Issue launch party at Hard Rock Hotel New York on May 19, 2022. The vibe manager works a Tuesday through Saturday schedule.

☆ Buyout barons will court the panicking masses
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-20 | by ( Jonathan Guilford | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Since they’ve already scoured traditional funding sources like pension funds and insurers, they’ll make a priority of tapping wealthy individuals in 2023. Even those slower to embrace the trend, like Carlyle (CG.O), are getting about 10% of inflows from individuals. Pension plans and other stalwarts have seen their stocks and bonds slump in value, potentially leaving them overexposed to buyout funds, private credit, real estate and infrastructure. These investors don’t always have the resources or stomach to lock up their money for half a decade or longer. Third-party platforms like Moonfare are proliferating, pooling retail capital into vehicles that buy stakes in buyout funds.

The defamation case brought by actor Johnny Depp against his ex-wife Amber Heard came to an end on Wednesday after a seven-person jury unanimously ruled in favor of Depp. The jury awarded Depp $10 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages in his defamation suit. Depp also claims she is not the victim of domestic violence but instead the perpetrator. 2022On April 11, the weekslong defamation trial kicks off, with Heard and Depp appearing in court in Fairfax County, Virginia. The jury unanimously finds that Heard defamed Depp, awarding him $5 million in punitive damages and $10 million in compensatory damages.

☆ 22 Unique Valentine’s Gifts for Men Who Have Everything
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-19 | by ( ) www.wsj.com time to read: +12 min

From the cocktail gadget that will level-up his drinks to the ultimate undershirts, these are presents you can purchase with confidence—no gift receipt required. This edition has a wood cabinet with metal plaques, die-cast metal houses and hotels, gold-foil stamping and money-holding drawers. Buy Side’s favorite automatic cocktail maker works with pre-measured pods and his favorite spirits to dispense cocktails at the push of a button. For more great gadget ideas, check out our roundup of the top gifts for your favorite techie. Even better, the jean material “came ready-to-wear with no awkward break-in period, plus a custom liner.”—Additional reporting by Leslie Yazel

☆ Listen up: Headphones are getting really weird
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-18 | by ( Samantha Murphy Kelly | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Bone conduction headphones, which rely on sound being transmitted through vibrations on the user’s skull, are gaining popularity. Bone conduction headphones ‘having a moment’Bone conduction headphones, in particular, are “having a moment,” Konig said. Rather than sitting inside or on top of the ear canal, bone conduction headphones rest in front of the ear, leaving it uncovered. Beyond consumer appeal, Cozza believes bone conduction headphones could be used by frontline workers who could listen to communications and instruction and at the same time be aware of sounds around them. But some audiophiles say the sound quality on bone conduction headphones and open earbuds is less than stellar.

☆ Donald Trump's launch of $99 NFTs sparks 10% decline in Digital World SPAC linked to Truth Social
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-15 | by ( Matthew Fox | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Digital World Acquisition fell 10% on Thursday after Donald Trump launched a line of $99 NFTs. Those gains were erased on Thursday as SPAC investors digested Trump's NFT announcement. Shares of Digital World Acquisition initially spiked as much as 10% on Wednesday after Trump teased a "major announcement." Collect all of your favorite Trump Digital Trading Cards, very much like a baseball card, but hopefully much more exciting... Only $99 each! Instead, the SPAC secured enough votes to delay its merger deadline with Truth Social until September 2023.

☆ I started a distillery and spend a lot of time selling my spirits directly to consumers inside liquor stores. Here's what I've learned about how you buy booze.
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-11 | by ( Jen Glantz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

My co-founder and I started a distillery company in 2017, to revive authentic flavor in spirits with local grains. Here are some of my biggest takeaways from spending hours getting to know shoppers inside liquor stores. My co-founder and I started Fox and Seeker Distilled Goods, a distillery company, in 2017, with the main goal of reviving authentic flavor in distilled spirits using only local grains. Since we're a relatively new brand, I spend Thursday through Saturday in different liquor stores promoting our spirits. Because I spend more than 15 hours a week inside stores, I see a lot.

About 26.9 million shares will be sold for between 340 rupees and 357 rupees in the IPO, with Sula raising 9.60 billion rupees, Chief Executive Rajeev Samant said at a press conference in Mumbai on Wednesday. However, that is less than Radico Khaitan Ltd's (RADC.NS) market value of 147.52 billion rupees and United Spirits Ltd's (UNSP.NS) 682.18 billion rupees valuation. Streaming platforms have also helped popularise wine, added Samant, who launched Sula in 1996. Its net revenue rose 8% year-over-year to 4.57 billion rupees in fiscal 2022. Sula's IPO will be open for subscription from Dec. 12-14 and debut on the stock exchanges between Dec. 20-22, the company said.

☆ Jennifer Lopez on what she learned from Warren Buffet — and other tips from celebrities on how to become a successful entrepreneur
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-28 | by ( Eboni Boykin-Patterson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The Hollywood Reporter released its second annual list of the top 40 celebrity entrepreneurs. Jennifer LopezThe best business advice Jennifer Lopez ever received came from Warren Buffet. Lopez said that the best business advice she's ever received came from Warren Buffet: "A brand is a promise." After founding the business with his co-founder, Evan Goldberg, Rogen said he's learned how to scale without compromising on product quality. but also added that the best business advice he's ever received was to "Be focused."

☆ Thanksgiving leftovers: What to do with all the food
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-25 | by ( Casey Barber | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

But it’s just as easy to chop up leftover Thanksgiving turkey and sneak it into non-holiday comfort food. Use leftover Thanksgiving turkey to make turkey black bean enchiladas. A lemony Dijon dressing can brighten a grain bowl made with holiday leftovers. Leftover stuffing mixed with eggs and a touch of broth or gravy are all you need to turn Thanksgiving stuffing into a savory next-day breakfast. If that kind of post-holiday meal suits you, make this Thanksgiving leftover pizza and savor the classic flavors on a slice rather than between bread.

☆ A teen and his mom are starting over in another state after attacks on trans care
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-23 | by ( Jo Yurcaba | Jo Yurcaba Is A Reporter For Nbc Out. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +10 min

The department began opening investigations into families days later, but Laird told NBC News in March that she didn’t have plans to move. The family’s story reveals part of the impact Abbott’s directive is having on the families of trans youths in Texas. They left out of fear that Noah would lose the care recommended by his medical team, but also because the state was becoming increasingly hostile for trans people, Laird said. He added that Laird and Noah are far from the only ones who have left the state — he knows of several. At least three other families with trans kids have also said in interviews that they have moved.

House Democrats swiftly pushed back at Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy in response to his threat to strip them of their committee assignments if he is elected as speaker. After Republicans narrowly won back control of the House in the midterm elections, McCarthy this weekend doubled down on his pledge to remove several prominent House Democrats from their committee assignments if he becomes speaker. McCarthy said he would not allow Reps. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., Adam Schiff, D-Calif., and Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., to serve on their committees. “He will adhere to the wishes of the lowest common denominator,” Schiff said when asked about McCarthy’s vow to remove him from the House Intelligence Committee. Removing Democrats from their committee assignments would require a vote of a majority of the House.

As I drive through a gate high above Los Angeles’s Nichols Canyon, a tall man with unmistakably bushy eyebrows waves me into a precarious parking spot and says, “That’s $20. Leave the keys in the car.” My valet is Will Ferrell, clad in basketball shorts, slides and a T-shirt bearing the crest of the Los Angeles Football Club, of which he is a minority owner. Ferrell waves to his wife, Viveca Paulin-Ferrell, an art auctioneer and board member at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, as she sits idling in a blue Tesla , waiting to pull out. “It’s gonna be a tennis court,” Ferrell explains. “I don’t play, but you need one if you want to sip a gin and tonic.”

Leave the keys in the car.” My valet is Will Ferrell, clad in basketball shorts, slides and a T-shirt bearing the crest of the Los Angeles Football Club, of which he is a minority owner. On this October morning, Ferrell is playing a parking attendant for reasons beyond comic value: Although his three sons are already at school (one in college), his home is a hive of domestic activity. Ferrell waves to his wife, Viveca Paulin-Ferrell, an art auctioneer and board member at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, as she sits idling in a blue Tesla , waiting to pull out. “It’s gonna be a tennis court,” Ferrell explains. “I don’t play, but you need one if you want to sip a gin and tonic.”

☆ Is the Fed 'going rogue'? Calls heat up to back off quest for 2% inflation
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-19 | by ( Jeff Cox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

For at least a decade, the Federal Reserve's position that a 2% inflation rate is where the economy best functions has been taken as gospel. 'Going rogue' "As far as 2% is concerned, I think it's stupid," said Jim Paulsen, chief investment officer at Leuthold Group. Paulsen and Sternlicht aren't the only critics of Fed policy. Achieving a steady 2% inflation rate, however, has proven elusive for the Fed. 'The gold standard' for policy But Fed Chairman Jerome Powell and most of his colleagues have rebuffed calls to raise the goal.

☆ DeSantis dominated the Florida governor's race just days after Trump attacked him, establishing him as the former president's chief rival
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-09 | by ( Kimberly Leonard | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Ron DeSantis won Florida by wide margins — a turnaround from four years ago. In contrast, Trump twice won Florida, but his margins in 2020 against President Joe Biden were substantially smaller at 3.4-points. He didn't all-out endorse the governor at the event, instead telling the crowd only to "reelect Ron DeSantis as your governor." During the 2018 gubernatorial run, DeSantis leaned heavily on Trump's endorsement, which helped him win the GOP nomination. DeSantis raised an astounding amount of cash for a gubernatorial race, setting a record with more than $200 million raised through his political action committee, Friends of Ron DeSantis.

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