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Diageo General Manager-Gulf R.L.Rajah and Regional Director-MENA Roland Abella present the plaque to Dubai Duty Free Managing Director Colm McLoughlin and Deputy Managing Director George Horan |
UAE. Diageo marked Johnnie Walker Scotch whisky’s status as the No. 1 brand at Dubai Duty Free by hosting a celebratory dinner at Le Meridien Hotel, Dubai this month. The purpose of the gathering, said Diageo, was to thank the duty free operator for supporting the Johnnie Walker brand over the past 23 years.
Diageo General Manager-Gulf RL Rajah, along with Roland Abella (Diageo Regional Director-MENA), presented a commemorative plaque to Dubai Duty Free Managing Director Colm McLoughlin and Deputy Managing Director George Horan.
Accepting the plaque, McLoughlin thanked Diageo for its recognition. He said that Johnnie Walker contributes over 3% of Dubai Duty Free’s total turnover, which in 2006 reached US$712 million, and said it would remain a key brand for many years to come.
Diageo Master Blender Ian Williams was the host of the evening. Based at Cardhu, Scotland, he has been with Diageo since 1968 and was honoured with the title of “˜Keepers of the Quaich’ for his contribution to the Scotch industry.
RL Rajah said he appreciated the support and cooperation received from Dubai Duty Free in making Johnnie Walker the No.1 brand.
He drew a parallel between John Walker, who started off as a small time grocery merchant in Kilmarnock, Scotland, and Dubai Duty Free, which from a start-up operation in 1983 is now one of the top three airport retailers in the world.
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