Jacob's Creek Salutes Australia's Best

Jacob's Creek Salutes Australia's Best

A New Study By Australia's #1 Selling Wine Reveals America's Favorite Australian Exports

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- A recent study of U.S. adults revealed that when it comes to their favorite Australian exports, award- winning actress Nicole Kidman ranks as the top choice, while Russell Crowe is the recipient of the same honor as top Australian actor with 21% of the vote.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081117/LAM527-a)
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081117/LAM527-b)
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081117/LAM527-c)
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081117/LAM527-d)

The survey, conducted by Harris Interactive(R) on behalf of Jacob's Creek, asked over 2,000 U.S. adults, 21 years old and older, what their favorites were when it came to all-things Australian. While Nicole Kidman nabbed the top spot for favorite actress with 27 percent of the vote, Cate Blanchett (9%) and Naomi Watts (3%) came in at number two and three, respectively. In the favorite actor category, Hugh Jackman (15%) and Heath Ledger (11%) rounded out the top three. As far as Australian music, it was revealed that adults still hold a soft spot for Olivia Newton-John, who received 18 percent of the vote, while rock legends AC/DC came in at a very close second with 16 percent of the vote.

The survey also found that top Australian movie choice for adult film- goers is still the classic Crocodile Dundee with 29% of the vote. In the end, the survey revealed that adults are most excited about Australian actors and actresses, with 32 percent noting that it was their favorite Australian export. Not surprisingly, Australian films received 22 percent of the vote.

"We are thrilled with the level of enthusiasm shared by Americans towards the incredible talent and products from Australia," said Stephen Couche, Managing Director of Jacob's Creek Australia. "With Baz Luhrmann's highly- anticipated film, 'Australia,' set for release in theaters on November 26, 2008, we look forward to sharing even more of our beautiful country with the world."

Australia is an epic romantic action adventure, set in that country on the brink of World War II. In it, an English aristocrat (Nicole Kidman) travels to the faraway continent where she meets a rough-hewn cattle drover (Hugh Jackman) and reluctantly agrees to join forces with him to save the land she inherited. Together, they embark upon a transforming journey across hundreds of miles. With his new film, Luhrmann is painting on a vast canvas, creating a cinematic experience that brings together romance, drama, adventure and spectacle.

About the Survey:

This survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Interactive on behalf of Jacob's Creek between October 16 and October 20, 2008 among 2,103 adults ages 21+. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables, please contact Angie Babooian at ababooian@bncpr.com.

About Jacob's Creek:

First released in 1976, Jacob's Creek has been the most popular wine brand in Australia for more than a decade, and has grown to become the leading Australian wine brand in the UK, NZ, Ireland, Scandinavia and Asia with sales in excess of 8 million cases. Jacob's Creek success can be attributed to its rich history and heritage, reflecting more than 150 years of winemaking expertise, the quality of the wine offer and the easy fruit driven wine style widely enjoyed by consumers across the world.

Twentieth Century Fox International is a unit of Fox Filmed Entertainment, a segment of the Fox Entertainment Group.

About Pernod Ricard USA

Pernod Ricard USA is the premium spirits and wine company in the U.S., and the largest subsidiary of Paris, France-based Pernod Ricard SA. In July, 2008, Pernod Ricard completed the acquisition of the iconic ABSOLUT(R) Vodka brand from the V&S Group, and Pernod Ricard USA is now the second-leading company in the U.S. by sales value.

In addition to ABSOLUT(R), Pernod Ricard USA's leading brands include such prestigious spirits as The Glenlivet(R) Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Chivas Regal(R) Scotch Whisky, Jameson(R) Irish Whiskey, Wild Turkey(R) Bourbon, Seagram's Extra Dry Gin(R), Beefeater(R) Gin, Plymouth(TM) Gin, Martell(R) Cognac, Malibu(R) flavored Rum, Kahlua(R) Liqueur, Hiram Walker(R) Liqueurs, Pernod(R) and Ricard(R); such superior wines as Jacob's Creek(R) and Brancott Estate(R); and such exquisite champagnes and sparkling wines as Perrier Jouet(R) Champagne, G.H. Mumm(TM) Champagne and Mumm Napa(R) sparkling wines.

The company is based in Purchase, New York, and has roughly 1,000 employees across the country.

Pernod Ricard USA urges all adults to consume its products responsibly and has an active campaign to promote responsible drinking. For more information on this, please visit: http://www.acceptresponsibility.org/.

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081117/LAM527-a
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081117/LAM527-b
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081117/LAM527-c
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081117/LAM527-d
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
AP PhotoExpress Network: PRN2, 3, 4, 5
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Jacob's Creek

CONTACT: Angie Babooian, ababooian@bncpr.com, or Enjoli Duval,
eduval@bncpr.com, both of LMG, +1-310-854-4800, for Jacob's Creek

Web site: http://www.acceptresponsibility.org/

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