Bacardi and Swizz Beatz Team Up

Iconic spirits company and artist ink deal for lifestyle and culture role.

Spirits producer Bacardi and multi-platform artist Swizz Beatz have joined forces to deliver events, marketing and social activations with industry influencers. In a multi-year agreement, Bacardi has named the multifaceted Grammy award-winning music producer Global Chief Creative for Culture for Bacardi with oversight for the entire Bacardi portfolio of brands.

The deal is a first-of-its-kind move for the drinks company and combines the international power of the iconic brands in the premium Bacardi portfolio with the worldwide cultural influence of Swizz Beatz. The goal is to develop partnerships, activations and ideas that further incorporate the Bacardi brands into the worlds of music, art and film.

“For Bacardi, having Swizz as a partner represents an opportunity to sell more than just bottles and cocktails. It represents a convergence of our brands in lifestyle and cultural experiences,” said Mike Dolan, chief executive officer of Bacardi Limited, the largest privately held spirits company in the world. “Consumers are identifying with brands that fit their lifestyle in culturally relevant ways and Swizz is the perfect partner to identify and forge these new consumer connections.”

As part of the business relationship, Swizz Beatz will also represent Bacardi and its brands at numerous cultural activations in the United States and emerging markets. Platforms, venues and event details are expected to be announced as finalised.

“Besides having amazing brand recognition, great-tasting products and leadership that pushes boundaries, Bacardi has a deep heritage in music, film, culture and the arts, so they’re a great partner to help bring my vision to life. Also, I wanted to partner with a company that, like Bacardi, has a long history of giving back to the community through its philanthropic activities,” said Swizz Beatz. “As the Bacardi Global Chief Creative for Culture, I will be involved in all aspects of the product—from brand marketing and advertising to innovation and selling platforms—areas to which I will bring a new, fresh perspective.”

The agreement comes on the heels of Bacardi and Swizz Beatz collaborating last December as part of a three-day cultural experience at Art Basel 2015 where art and music collided in Miami as part the No Commission Art Fair by day and the BACARDÍ® Untamable House Party Concert Series by night, where Swizz Beatz, Alicia Keys, DMX, Wiz Khalifa, DJ Khaled and others took center stage. Admission to both the No Commission Art Fair and the BACARDÍ® Untamable House Party Concert Series were free.