Fernet-Branca Launches U.S. Digital Campaign To Send Your Band On A Trip To The Pitchfork Music Festival

Winning Band to Open for Pitchfork Music Festival Act at the Fernet-Branca After Show in Chicago

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May 16, 2012, 05:05 ET

LOS ANGELES, May 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Fernet-Branca U.S.A. announces the launch of Fernet-Branca Band Fest, a Facebook contest that focuses on viral fan interaction and partners the spirits company with the Pitchfork Music Festival. The program gives one winning local band with the most "Likes" a shot at stardom – the chance to play live at the Fernet-Branca after show during the Pitchfork Music Festival in Chicago.

The contest kicks off regionally, calling all bands in Atlanta, Austin, Chicago and Florida to upload videos of their best original performance at http://apps.facebook.com/fernetbrancabandfest to enter. Starting May 28th, fans can view and "Like" their favorite performance videos. The three bands with the most Facebook votes within each geographic region will win a semi-finalist prize of $500 and advance to compete in a local Fernet-Branca Battle of the Bands.

Local market Battles will take place at the following locations:

Florida – Tobacco Road, June 9th
Austin – Beauty Ballroom, June 10th
Atlanta – Purgatory Room at The Masquerade, June 10th
Chicago – Reggie's, June 12th

On June 13th, the four winners of the Fernet-Branca Band Fest battle will be announced and voting will open to let the public decide which band gets the grand prize – an all-expenses paid trip to Chicago, VIP passes to the Pitchfork Music Festival, and the chance to open for a Pitchfork Music Festival act at the Fernet-Branca after show.

"Founded in 1845, Fernet-Branca's identity is rooted in originality and we are committed to integrating exciting opportunities for artists, musicians and fans," said Tom Maruscsak, Senior Vice President of Marketing for Infinium Spirits, the exclusive U.S. importer for the Italian brand. "This program offers the opportunity for independent bands to receive recognition based on the power of their fan communities, while providing them that once-in-a-lifetime chance to get noticed during a major music event."

Fernet-Branca chose an after show at Pitchfork Music Festival for the winning performance because of the growing popularity of the festival and the caliber of bands who attend. Maruscsak added, "The festival draws great bands and music fans from around the country, so it's the place to be for an up-and-coming group. We're excited about the quality of talent we expect to see from the contest submissions and encourage the public to participate either by submitting their band performance to our U.S. Facebook page or by voting for their favorites."

For more information on the Fernet-Branca Band Fest contest, visit www.facebook.com/fernetbranca.

About Fernet-Branca
Fernet-Branca is a classic Italian wine-based liqueur also known as a digestivo or amaro among the wine and spirits cognoscenti. Created in 1845 by Bernadino Branca, this unique spirit is enjoyed throughout the world in a variety of ways and more importantly is a favorite among bartenders and mixologists who embrace the uniquely bitter taste of Fernet-Branca. The production and distribution of this spirit is still managed by the Branca family through the Fratelli Branca Distellierie S.r.l. In the U.S. Fernet-Branca is imported by Infinium Spirits.

About Pitchfork Music Festival
Since 2006, the Pitchfork Music Festival has been the most thoughtfully curated and forward-looking annual festival in the United States. The festival is an extension of Pitchforks' mission to help fans discover the best in new music, with an overwhelmingly positive, affordable and community-oriented atmosphere that embodies the best of the music underground. Set in the heart of Chicago's West Loop neighborhood and with a daily sold-out attendance of 20,000 fans, the 2012 festival features headliners Feist, Vampire Weekend, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Beach House, Danny Brown, Real Estate, Hot Chip, Grimes, Wild Flag and dozens more.

SOURCE Fernet-Branca