Moet Hennessy USA and The Charmer Sunbelt Group Partner to Promote "We Don't Serve Teens" Campaign in New York State

NEW YORK, Oct. 12, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Moët Hennessy USA, the leading importer and marketer of luxury wines, spirits and champagnes in the U.S., and The Charmer Sunbelt Group, one of the nation's leading distributors of fine wines and spirits, have joined forces to promote the "We Don't Serve Teens" campaign in the greater New York area.

This important education campaign reminds parents and others that serving any type of alcoholic beverage to teens is unsafe, illegal and irresponsible. The campaign is based on research showing that most teens obtain alcohol from "social sources" such as friends, siblings or parents. 

Founded by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and The Century Council, the "We Don't Serve Teens" campaign is supported by a large number of public and private organizations such as the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), the National Alcohol Beverage Control Association (NABCA), the National Conference of State Liquor Authorities (NCSLA) and the National Liquor Law Enforcement Association (NLLEA). Additional information and tools for parents and others is available on the FTC maintained website www.dontserveteens.gov.

The program includes an extensive advertising campaign that launched at the beginning of October and will continue through the end of the year. Media placements have been secured across outdoor, print, online, video and radio outlets throughout the five boroughs of New York City, as well as in select areas of Upstate New York. Messaging will be seen on point of sale materials such as window decals and posters showcased in liquor stores, fine wine shops, bars and restaurants.  In addition, Charmer Sunbelt delivery trucks that drive throughout the New York area will be specially "wrapped" in campaign signage, creating mobile displays that will be seen throughout the region. All of the materials will feature the official FTC created "We Don't Serve Teens" logo and message.

Charlie Merinoff, Chairman and CEO of the Charmer Sunbelt Group explained that "the partnership that exists among regulators, the beverage industry and families is vital to the success of the 'We Don't Serve Teens' initiative.  Nothing is more important than keeping our young people safe, and we all bear the responsibility to make sure that those under 21 years of age are not sold or served beverage alcohol."

Jim Clerkin, President and CEO of Moët Hennessy USA said, "The education of parents and underage drinkers is paramount and it is our responsibility to continuously communicate the 'We Don't Serve Teens' message which raises awareness for this important program and hopefully reduces the number of incidents that occur as a result of serving alcohol to young people under 21 years of age."

To support the campaign, United States Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of New York has recorded a special public service announcement (PSA) that is now running on local New York radio stations as well as online.  In the PSA, Senator Gillibrand urges New Yorkers not to serve alcohol to teens, stating, "it's unsafe, it's illegal and it's irresponsible."  The PSA can be viewed at https://vimeo.com/141836023.

About Moët Hennessy USA:

MOËT HENNESSY USA is the leading importer and marketer of luxury wines, spirits and champagnes in the U.S. The Moët Hennessy portfolio includes renowned brands such as: Hennessy Cognac; Moët & Chandon, Dom Pérignon, Krug, Veuve Clicquot and Ruinart Champagnes; Belvedere vodka; Grand Marnier; Glenmorangie and Ardbeg single malt Scotch whiskies; and fine wines, including Chateau d'Yquem, Cape Mentelle, Cloudy Bay, Newton Vineyard, Numanthia, Smoke Tree, Terrazas and Domaine Chandon California sparkling and still wines. Moët Hennessy has a strong consumer focus with an uncompromising commitment to building luxury brands. CONTACT: Samantha Barnes for Moët Hennessy USA, 212-251-8430 or [email protected].

About The Charmer Sunbelt Group:

The Charmer Sunbelt Group (CSG) is one of the nation's leading distributors of fine wines and spirits.  A group of privately held companies, CSG operates local distributor and/or brokerage houses in 15 markets: Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Maryland, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York (Metro and Upstate), Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. Together, these companies employ more than 7,000 associates who bring to market some of the most valuable and well-known consumer brands in the world. CSG is a family-owned business that proudly serves as the critical link between wine and spirit suppliers, and the outlets where alcoholic beverage brands are legally and responsibly sold and enjoyed. For more information about CSG, please visit www.charmer-sunbelt.com. CONTACT: Dennis DiMaggio for The Charmer Sunbelt Group, 410-401-9383 or [email protected].

SOURCE Moet Hennessy USA