Diageo Renews Distribution Agreements with Johnson Brothers and United Brokerage

Agreements Apply to Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota

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Dec 05, 2012, 03:24 ET

NORWALK, Conn. and ST. PAUL, Minn., Dec. 5, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Diageo, the world's leading spirits, wine and beer company, and Johnson Brothers and United Brokerage, Inc. of Minnesota, today announced that they have entered into new agreements for North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota.

Under these agreements, Johnson Brothers will continue as the exclusive distributor for the Diageo portfolio of wines and spirits in North Dakota and South Dakota. They will also continue as the exclusive distributor for Diageo wines in Minnesota. United Brokerage will continue as the exclusive broker for Diageo Spirits in Minnesota.

"We are pleased to continue our relationships with Johnson Brothers and United Brokerage in these three states, where together, we can take the next step in our route-to-market strategy," said Jeff Ivey, Senior Vice President, Commercial Strategy, Diageo North America. "By continuing to work with Johnson Brothers, a leader in these markets, we are strongly positioned for future success."

Michael Johnson, CEO of Johnson Brothers remarked: "We are delighted to continue our longstanding relationship with Diageo and look forward to working closely with them to grow Diageo's portfolio of leading brands in the Upper Midwest."

Diageo began the second phase of its transformational route to market strategy for its spirits and wine brands in the U.S. in 2010 and this represents the continuation of that strategy.

About Johnson Brothers

Johnson Brothers is a privately owned company headquartered in St. Paul, Minnesota. One of the largest wine and spirit wholesalers in the United States, Johnson Brothers will celebrate its 60th anniversary in 2013.

About Diageo

Diageo (Dee-AH-Gee-O) is the world's leading premium drinks business with an outstanding collection of beverage alcohol brands across spirits, beer and wine. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, JεB, Windsor, Buchanan's and Bushmills whiskies, Smirnoff, Ciroc and Ketel One vodkas, Baileys, Captain Morgan, Jose Cuervo, Tanqueray, Guinness, Beaulieu Vineyard and Sterling Vineyards Wines.

Diageo is a global company, with its products sold in more than 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (DGE). For more information about Diageo, its people, brands, and performance, visit us at Diageo.com. For our global resource that promotes responsible drinking through the sharing of best practice tools, information and initiatives, visit DRINKiQ.com.

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SOURCE Diageo