Close×

Timed to coincide with International Women's Day, Diageo has created a Jane for its Johnnie, with the famous 'striding man' on its whisky labels taking on a female form.

The newly branded 'Jane Walker' edition bottles will be sold in the US, with Diageo donating $1 from each sold to organisations championing women's causes.

"Important conversations about gender continue to be at the forefront of culture and we strongly believe there is no better time than now to introduce our Jane Walker icon and contribute to pioneering organisations that share our mission,"  Stephanie Jacoby, vice president of Johnnie Walker, said.

"We are proud to toast the many achievements of women and everyone on the journey towards progress in gender equality," she added.

Some of the money raised will go to charity Monumental Women, which aims to create a statue in Central Park, New York City, to honor America's female suffragists.

Advertising for the Johnnie Walker range has often focused on adventures fronted by men, including actor Jude Law for its luxury Blue Label line in 2014 and a film starring Robert Carlyle showing the history of the Scotch in 2009.

But the Scotch has been influenced by women since its founding, with John Walker's wife Elizabeth being "fundamental" to its creation, according to Diageo.

The new bottle launch coincides with Women's History Month and International Women's Day on 8 March.

Food & Drink Business

Three weeks after its official opening, the $17.14 million Central Coast Food Manufacturing Innovation Hub at Ourimbah is preparing to welcome its first tenants. Food & Drink Business toured the facility to see the production spaces, pilot plant, and training programs designed to grow the region’s $2 billion food and beverage manufacturing sector.

Reploid Group is expanding into Oceania, with the launch of a new sales company in New Zealand. Reploid builds modular plants that use insect larvae to repurpose food waste, having the potential to fill the gap left by Goterra’s collapse into voluntary administration earlier this year.

Welcome to the July edition of PLAY, your monthly wrap-up of the biggest stories shaping Australia's food and beverage manufacturing industry. This month we're looking at court action, a major take-private deal, alleged tomato provenance fraud, new leadership and investment in manufacturing capability. Let's get into it.