HARP® looks set to build on its position as Northern Ireland’s number one lager this summer with an impressive new look. The new look is part of the ongoing investment in Harp that has seen the brand strengthen its leading position in Northern Ireland with now 23% market share[i].  A fact that bears testament to the great taste of Harp which remains constant.

The Harp brand has invested significantly locally to generate this position seeing two years of ongoing growth[ii] in bars and off-licenses.

The new look for Harp comes hot on the heels of the launch of Harp’s most refreshing tasting pint to date - Harp Ice Cold.  Harp Brand Manager Briege Clenaghan said:

“Harp consistently tops blind taste tests with consumers - so we already knew it was a great lager, loved by people in Northern Ireland.  Our number one position reflects that.”

“Consumer needs are constantly evolving and Harp prides itself in rising to the challenge of meeting them.  In particular we have noticed a marked change in consumer behaviour recently as ‘pre night out’ occasions have risen dramatically.  Two thirds of consumers now begin their night out in either their own home or in a friend’s home before they head out for a drink[iii].  A trend that will remain for the foreseeable future, it is important that we are providing a product that works equally well for our drinkers in both bars and in the home.”

“In addition, the launch of Harp Ice Cold last year delivered the nation’s most refreshing tasting ice-cold lager to date. Now refreshingly chilled below zero, it has contributed to 22 months of consecutive share growth for Harp, underlining just how popular it is in Northern Ireland.”

“We already knew we had the most popular and most refreshing tasting beer, the next stage was to update our look to reflect that.  The new livery represents a major step forward for the Harp brand, bringing to life it’s quality and heritage and delivering a look our consumers can feel as proud about as we do.”

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Bushmills^TM Irish Whiskey is celebrating after sweeping the board at the prestigious 2010 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. As well as winning Best Irish Whiskey in the World, the Bushmills range picked up two double gold and four gold accolades, making Bushmills one of the few international spirit brands ever to scoop 100% gold in the global competition. This comes hot on the heels of the range winning three World Whiskies Awards in London earlier this year.

Now in its tenth year, The San Francisco World Spirits Competition is one of the largest and most respected spirits competitions in the world - attracting more than one thousand entries from around the globe. Bushmills took home top awards for its entire range of Irish Whiskies, with the Black Bush and 1608 blends each claiming double gold and Bushmills Original and the 10, 16 and 21 Year Old Single Malt Whiskies all winning gold. Bushmills 1608 was also named Best Irish Whiskey.

Colum Egan, Bushmills Master Distiller, said: “This is an incredible achievement for Bushmills. We like to think that we make the world’s finest Irish whiskey – it’s great to hear that the experts share that opinion and the team at the distillery are absolutely thrilled. We’ll definitely be cracking open a bottle and raising a glass to celebrate our wins!”

In February, at the London ceremony of the 2010 World Whiskies Awards, Bushmills Black Bush was named Best Irish Blended Whiskey (no age), while Bushmills 21 Year Old Single Malt was named World’s Best Irish Single Malt Whiskey and Bushmills 16 Year Old Single Malt was named Best Irish Single Malt Whiskey in the 13 – 20 year old category.

“The awards are further recognition of the outstanding quality of Bushmills,” said Sarah Miles, Bushmills Global Brand Director. “It’s a real achievement to be placed at the forefront of the fastest growing international spirits category in the world today. Irish whiskey is obviously a competitive market and so we’re delighted that the excellence of our liquid has been recognised by our peers.”

Colum Egan added, “We have been making whiskey in the Bushmills area for over 400 years.  All of that skill, knowledge and expertise has been poured lovingly back into the whiskey to make Bushmills the best it can be. And this year the global search for someone to ‘Make it at Bushmills’ opens the doors of the distillery to one lucky winner who will work alongside me for 30 days to learn the secrets that make Bushmills the award-winning Irish whiskey it is today.”

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*As awarded at the 2010 San Francisco World Spirits

Corbo, the Northern Ireland-based property group, today announced the appointment of prominent banker Stephen Kirkpatrick to the position of Chief Executive Officer as part of a strategic growth plan.

Mr Kirkpatrick, who has wide experience of large-scale corporate and property finance, moves from Head of Retail Credit at Bank of Ireland Group to Corbo at a time when the company is seeking to develop growth opportunities from both inside and outside its extensive retail-focused property base.

Corbo, with £700m in gross assets, owns a range of shopping centres and fashion parks across the UK totalling more than two million square feet. It is Northern Ireland’s largest property company.

Sam Morrison, Corbo’s Chairman, said today: “Stephen’s appointment is an integral part of our plan for the group’s future development. His experience in corporate finance and banking will help us exploit opportunities which are undoubtedly available in the current market conditions.”

Mr Kirkpatrick (46) is a chartered accountant by profession and is a member of the Governing Council of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Ireland. He spent eight years with KPMG specialising in Corporate Finance before joining Bank of Ireland in Northern Ireland in 1995. He was subsequently responsible for the bank’s regional business operations in the UK before becoming CEO of its Northern Ireland business. Last year he was appointed to the key group role of Head of Retail Credit.

He said: “I am delighted to have this opportunity to use my experience to help the Corbo team expand what is a very successful business. Corbo is one of the leading players in retail property in the UK. It is a financially robust company with a healthy income stream and, having successfully completed a major debt refinancing last year it, is strongly positioned to take advantage of opportunities throughout the UK to acquire additional profitable assets.”

The group has several significant property deals in the pipeline which are expected to be announced in the coming months.