Beam Global Spirits & Wine, CEO Recognized By United Negro College Fund; Extended Thanks To Supporters

Thomas J. Flocco, Recipient of the UNCF's Prestigious Harold H. Hines Jr. Award, Thanks Business Acquaintances, Colleagues, Friends and Peers for their Support

RDeerfield, Ill. - June 18, 2007 - Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc. [Fortune Brands, Inc. (NYSE:FO)], president and chief executive officer, Thomas J. Flocco, expressed his thanks to individuals and organizations that have helped to raise money for the United Negro College Fund (UNCF).  The proceeds raised by UNCF are used to provide financial support for students who wish to attend college or university and need assistance.  Mr. Flocco has supported the organization for almost two decades.
 
In honor of his longstanding support of UNCF, Mr. Flocco received the Harold H. Hines Jr. Award at the UNCF's seventh annual fundraiser, the Black & White Ball, on Saturday, June 9 at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers.  At the dinner, Merri Dee, director of community relations for WGN-TV, was honored with the prestigious Legacy Award for her dedication towards UNCF and its annual telethon.
 
            "The Harold H. Hines Award is bestowed upon those who have demonstrated an extraordinary level of commitment and volunteerism," said Jann Honore, director of development for UNCF's Chicago chapter. "Mr. Flocco's efforts to UNCF over the years have been remarkable and we are truly grateful for his efforts as a good corporate citizen who has done a great deal to raise much-needed funds and awareness for UNCF over the years."
 
"I share this award with the many individuals, companies and corporations that have generously donated money towards this important cause," said Mr. Flocco, president and CEO for Beam Global Spirits & Wine. "Together, we continue to make a difference."
 
            "Support for the United Negro College Fund helps to provide an education for young people who otherwise may not have that opportunity," Mr. Flocco continued. "As suggested by UNCF's motto, 'A Mind is a Terrible Thing to Waste®,' education is one of the greatest gifts we can give to our future generations because it's the gift of opportunity."
 
The individuals and organizations that helped to raise funds for the UNCF Chicago chapter include: Fortune Brands, Inc., Bennett Glazer, Southern Wine & Spirits, Energy BBDO,  Independent Stave Company, The Absolut Spirits Company, Inc., Credit Suisse, Future Brands LLC, Horizon Beverages, Republic National Distribution Company, Groupe Pernod Ricard and Pernod Ricard USA, Fedway Associates, National Wine & Spirits, Wirtz Corp in conjunction with Deluca Liquor and Griggs Cooper & Company; Norm and Kim Wesley, Sunbelt Beverage, Carmine Martignetti, Connecticut Distributors, Doe Anderson, Element 79, US Trust, BNick, Athens Distributing Co., Catherine Hurtgen, Publicis Dialog, and the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States.  
 
More than 1,000 guests gathered to celebrate UNCF's achievements on June 9 at the seventh annual fundraiser at the Chicago Sheraton Hotel & Towers.  A pre-dinner cocktail reception featured a signature cocktail especially named for the event, the Black & White Tini. Served in a chilled martini glass, the Black & White Tini combined StarbucksT Coffee Liqueur with StarbucksT Cream Liqueur and Absolut® Vanilia® Vodka. Ice bars also featured the Courvoisier Brown Sugar cocktail, a combination of Courvoisier® Cognac and StarbucksT Cream Liqueur. And for a splash of zest, ice bars offered the Strawberry Lemonade, featuring Courvoisier® VSOP, DeKuyper® Pucker® Strawberry Passion, DeKuyper® Triple Sec and fresh lemon wedges.
 
Dinner guests of legal purchase age who choose to drink alcoholic beverages were reminded to drink smart® in the spirit of Beam Global's responsibility platform - by enjoying these specialty cocktails in moderation.
 
 
About Beam Global Spirits & Wine:
Inspiring conversations around the world, Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc., is building brands people want to talk about.  Consumers from all corners of the globe call for our brands, including Jim Beam® Bourbon, Sauza® Tequila, Canadian Club® Whisky, Courvoisier® Cognac, Maker's Mark® Bourbon, Laphroaig® Scotch Whisky, Larios® Gin, Whisky DYC®, Teacher's® Whisky, DeKuyper® Liqueurs, Knob Creek® Bourbon, Starbucks LiqueursT and Clos Du Bois® Wines.  Beam Global Spirits & Wine is part of Fortune Brands, Inc. (NYSE:FO), a leading consumer brands company with annual sales exceeding $8 billion.  For more information on Beam Global Spirits & Wine, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit www.beamglobal.com and www.drinksmart.com.
 
About UNCF
Founded in 1944, United Negro College Fund (UNCF) is the nation's largest, oldest, most successful and most comprehensive minority higher education assistance organization. UNCF has raised more than 2.2 billion dollars in operating support for its member colleges and for scholarships for the students who attend them. This support helps UNCF member colleges to enroll more than 60,000 students each fall, the overwhelming majority of whom rely on financial assistance.  UNCF operates more than 450 scholarship programs available to students at its member colleges as well as he Gates Millennium Scholars Program, the nation's largest minority education assistance program, which provides financial assistance to students attending more than 900 colleges and universities across the country.
 
 
© 2007 Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc., Deerfield, IL.