PRESS RELEASE
06.01.2021
LAUNCH OF THE COGNAC CONNECTION 2021
Continuing to support creative cocktail creation through the spirit of competition
May 26, 2021 – The Bureau National Interprofessionnel du Cognac (BNIC)—the entity promoting, protecting and developing the Cognac Geographic Indication and its culture—is pleased to announce the launch of the 2nd annual Cognac Connection campaign in the US. This virtual program has the core objective of educating and inspiring cocktail professionals on the Cognac region and spirit, as well as providing support to bartenders. Partnering with industry veterans, Lynnette Marrero and Ivy Mix of Speed Rack, along with media partner, VinePair, the multi-faceted campaign includes a series of activations such as virtual tastings and master classes for trade and media and Instagram lives with Speed Rack, Cognac Educators and last year’s winners.
“We’re thrilled to partner with Cognac Connection for its second year,” shared Ivy Mix, Co-Founder of Speed Rack. “The organization does an incredible job of fostering creativity and innovation in the industry through its annual challenge, and Speed Rack is honored to support it once again,” added Co-Founder Lynnette Marrero.
The pillar of the campaign, the “Cognac Connection Challenge”, is a cocktail competition open to all professional bartenders/mixologists. Entrants are required to submit an original cognac-based cocktail, which will be judged both on creativity and deliciousness, along with other criteria. This year, the competition will run from June 25 through August 31, 2021. The judging panel includes Lynnette Marrero and Ivy Mix of Speed Rack, certified Cognac Educator Kellie Thorn and a VinePair representative. Ten winning bartenders will each receive an educational award of $1,000, and their cocktails will be showcased across social media channels as well compiled into a digital recipe book, -available for download this fall on CognacConnection.com
Virtual events include an educational webinar for trade in July and weekly Instagram live chats with Speed Rack for the duration of the competition. This year, with the widespread distribution of COVID vaccines, events will also include a socially-responsible in-person media happy hour in New York City in June as well as an on-premise program launching on National Cognac Day (June 4th). The promotion will run until June 11th at a dozen bars across the country. The full list of participating bars can be found on CognacConnection.com. Claire Caillaud, Director of Communications, BNIC, shared, “We’re thrilled to continue supporting the passionate and dedicated bartending professionals in the US, our #1 market, with the second iteration of the Cognac Connection Challenge.”
Visit
COGNACCONNECTION.COM
For complete campaign details and competition rules.
© JRDN Creative LLC
ABOUT THE BUREAU NATIONAL INTERPROFESSIONNEL DU COGNAC
The BNIC (Bureau National Interprofessionnel du Cognac) represents, fosters and protects the Cognac Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée in France and abroad. In the 150 countries where Cognac is sold, this AOC assures consumers a product of exceptional quality. With a membership that equally represents the agricultural and commercial interests of Cognac, the BNIC is the consultative and decision-making body for the 4,280 winegrowers, 120 distillers and 280 merchants of the Cognac appellation.
US PRESS CONTACTS
Teuwen Communications
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ABOUT TEUWEN COMMUNICATIONS
Teuwen Communications is an award-winning food, wine and spirits public relations and marketing agency with influence based in New York City. With a collaborative philosophy, out of- the-box thinking and deep industry connections, Teuwen builds strategic and creative programs across media and trade relations, promotions and partnerships, digital marketing and bespoke events.
BUREAU NATIONAL INTERPROFESSIONNEL DU COGNAC
23, Allées Bernard Guionnet · BP 900 18 · 16101 Cognac Cedex Francex
Cognac.fr/en
