Hungary for Air Hockey. Thirsty for Zwack

Hungary's National Shot Scores in U.S.

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Sep 30, 2010, 05:20 ET

NEW YORK, Sept. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Zwack, a premium herbal liquor and the national shot of Hungary (yes, they have a national shot), has been fueling the resurgence of air hockey popularity in North America. One world record, a new undisputed world champion and a series of world-class events have made Zwack and air hockey a winning combination.

In June, Zwack sponsored two professional air hockey players (yes, they exist too) to break the world record for the longest marathon game of air hockey ever played. Inside the Palms Resort Casino during the NHL Awards Show, Team Zwack - Michael Rosen and Goran Mitic - played a marathon game lasting 24 hours and 34 minutes to establish the new world record.

"At 220 years old we know a thing or two about endurance," said Izabella Zwack, Zwack's Global Brand Ambassador. "Playing air hockey for 24 hours is amazing. We applaud Rosen and Mitic for their historic feat (and feet). Egeszsegedre!

In July, Zwack crowned the world's new number one ranked player, Davis Lee Huynh, at the Zwack 2010 Air Hockey World Championships. The world's best professional and amateur air hockey players descended on Houston for the three-day tournament. When the pucks stopped flying, Huynh walked away with top honors by winning both the singles and double tournaments. For a complete listing of professional air hockey player rankings visit www.airhockeyworld.com.

Want to get in on the action? Zwack is hosting Air Hockey Nights in five U.S. cities. "We're giving consumers what they want - a great tasting beverage in a fun environment and a competitive outlet," said Seth Yassky, Zwack brand manager for Diageo North America. "Air hockey is fast, fun and social, we encourage you to get out and play and as always, please drink responsibly."

Both Zwack and air hockey have a steady following and popular appeal. Their rich histories and continued survival are testament to their intrinsic appeal. Zwack has survived two world wars and 40 years of communism to become a hot brand with a whole new generation of consumers. Since its introduction in 1972, air hockey has become an American favorite while competing against table games and the arcade revolution. Proving itself again and again, air hockey remains relevant in American pop culture and manages to generate more revenue than foosball, darts and pinball combined.

ABOUT ZWACK

Zwack is a Hungarian Herbal Liqueur founded in Budapest in 1790. More than 220 years later, Zwack is still distilled by the sixth generation of the Zwack family. Widely recognized as the world's first shot, Zwack is premium liqueur made from over 40 herbs and spices, which leaves a smooth citrus aftertaste. Where Zwack is known throughout much of Eastern Europe as an Aperitif, in the U.S. Zwack is quickly gaining prominence as a chilled shot. Zwack has partnered with the air hockey community to raise awareness for two under-recognized properties with rich traditions.

For additional information visit www.zwack.com.

ABOUT DIAGEO

Diageo (Dee-AH-Gee-O) is the world's leading premium drinks business and industry leader in promoting responsible drinking, with an outstanding collection of beverage alcohol brands across spirits, wines, and beer categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Guinness, Smirnoff, J&B, Baileys, Cuervo, Tanqueray, Captain Morgan, Crown Royal, Beaulieu Vineyard and Sterling Vineyards wines. Diageo is a global company, trading in more than 200 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 http://www.diageo.com.

Celebrating life, every day, everywhere, responsibly.

PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY

ZWACK Hungarian Herb Liqueur. 40% Alc./Vol.

SOURCE Diageo