A Clearly Original Cocktail: One Part SMIRNOFF(R) Vodka and One Part 007 Mixed in a QUANTUM OF SOLACE

A Clearly Original Cocktail: One Part SMIRNOFF(R) Vodka and One Part 007 Mixed in a QUANTUM OF SOLACE

New Bond Film Reunites the World's Favorite 'Shaken, Not Stirred' Brands

NEW YORK, July 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- "The name is Bond; James Bond," declares the world's favorite secret agent 007 in the suspenseful conclusion of CASINO ROYALE, leaving audiences at the edge of their seats. Thirty cinematic minutes later, Bond returns in the thrilling sequel, QUANTUM OF SOLACE. The film, produced by Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli for EON Productions and distributed by Sony Pictures Entertainment, is due for theatrical release in November 2008. SMIRNOFF(R), the world's largest selling premium spirit brand, also makes a major return -- as an official partner -- marking almost 50 years of history between the two iconic brands.

The latest 007 installment promises to offer the ingredients of what is sure to be another Bond classic: world travel, Bond women and "Vesper" vodka martinis. To give SMIRNOFF drinkers around the world a taste of the Bond lifestyle, SMIRNOFF is planning 007-worthy activities all over the world, from VIP premieres to the best cocktail recipes.

"Almost half a century after the debut of 007, SMIRNOFF is still Bond's vodka of choice," said Philip Gladman, global senior vice-president of SMIRNOFF at Diageo. "The two bold brands are true originals that only get better with time. That's why SMIRNOFF and Bond are such a natural fit and that's why our legacy lives on."

SMIRNOFF Vodka made its original appearance alongside Bond in DR. NO, the first James Bond movie which premiered in 1962. Sean Connery's request for a "martini, shaken not stirred" made with SMIRNOFF vodka introduced a vodka-based alternative to the traditional martini and a new way to make 007's favorite cocktail.

Inspired by QUANTUM OF SOLACE, SMIRNOFF has created three new drinks to update the character's namesake cocktail -- The Vesper, the 007 Shaken Not Stirred Martini and the Quantum of Solace are the newest SMIRNOFF cocktails designed to capture the essence of Bond's vodka of choice.

Shaken, not stirred, and always in control. Please drink responsibly.

For further information please contact:

Alexandra Sklansky, TAYLOR Patti Costantino, DIAGEO
212-714-5702 646-223-2040
asklansky@taylorpr.compatti.costantino@diageo.com

Notes to editors:

The SMIRNOFF word and associated logos are trade marks of (C) The Smirnoff Co. 2008

About Smirnoff

Smirnoff, the world's number-one selling premium spirit* and the top-selling flavored vodka in North America, traces its heritage back to 19th century Russia, and was introduced in the United States in 1934. In a January 2005 New York Times blind taste test of 21 world-class vodkas, Smirnoff was named its "hands-down favorite." Smirnoff has always been known for quality vodka and is enjoyed responsibly in 130 countries around the world. For more information, log on to www.smirnoff.com.

*(IMPACT, February 1 and 15, 2008)

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, 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 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 http://www.diageo.com/.

Celebrating life, every day, everywhere, responsibly.

Choose to drink responsibly. SMIRNOFF Flavored Vodka. 35% Alc/Vol. (C)2008 The Smirnoff Co., Norwalk, CT.

EON Productions

EON Productions/Danjaq, LLC, is owned by the Broccoli family and has produced twenty two James Bond films since 1962, including QUANTUM OF SOLACE. The James Bond films, produced by Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, make up the longest running franchise in film history and include the recent blockbuster films GoldenEye, Tomorrow Never Dies, The World is Not Enough, Die Another Day and Casino Royale. EON Productions and Danjaq LLC, are affiliate companies and control all worldwide merchandising of the James Bond franchise.

About Columbia Pictures

Columbia Pictures, part of the Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group, is a Sony Pictures Entertainment company. Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America (SCA), a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE's global operations encompass motion picture production and distribution; television production and distribution; digital content creation and distribution; worldwide channel investments; home entertainment acquisition and distribution; operation of studio facilities; development of new entertainment products, services and technologies; and distribution of filmed entertainment in 67 countries. Sony Pictures Entertainment can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.sonypictures.com/.

About Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc.

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. is an independent, privately-held motion picture, television, home video, and theatrical production and distribution company. The company owns the world's largest library of modern films, comprising approximately 4,000 titles, and over 10,400 episodes of television programming. Its film library has received 208 Academy Awards(R), one of the largest award-winning collections in the world, and includes numerous successful film franchises, including James Bond, Pink Panther and Rocky. MGM is owned by an investor consortium comprised of Sony Corporation of America, Providence Equity Partners, Texas Pacific Group, Comcast Corporation and DLJ Merchant Banking Partners. For more information, visit www.mgm.com.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact: ebalduino@taylorpr.com

Source: Diageo

CONTACT: Alexandra Sklansky, TAYLOR, +1-212-714-5702,
asklansky@taylorpr.com, for Diageo; or Patti Costantino, DIAGEO,
+1-646-223-2040, patti.costantino@diageo.com

Web site: http://www.diageo.com/
http://www.smirnoff.com/
http://www.sonypictures.com/
http://www.mgm.com/

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