The Glenlivet, a brand of New York-based Pernod Ricard USA, announced a refreshed vision for the Scotch whisky category through a powerful portfolio redesign and bold initiatives to bring modernity to category consumption and gifting occasions, including collaborations with Inez & Vinoodh and actress La La Anthony, the company says.

Smirnoff, a brand of Diageo North America, Norwalk, Conn., and its Smirnoff Seltzer brand announced the launch of a national contest for those traveling via airplane and the “middle seat” this holiday season. Smirnoff Seltzer saw an opportunity to bring its campaign hashtag #FunofaKind experience and take a stand for middle-seaters, it says.

Seattle-based Starbucks Coffee Co. is giving a little extra good to its customers this holiday season. The company launched its biggest giveaway ever with Project Give Good, it says. 

Boulder, Colo.-based Celestial Seasonings, a brand of The Hain Celestial Group Inc., is inviting tea lovers to celebrate the magic of the season with a free Candy Cane Lane Holiday Tea sample program on Facebook.

For the upcoming holiday season, Heineken, a brand of White Plains, N.Y.-based Heineken USA, is spreading the cheer with a fully integrated program supported by the brand’s There’s More Behind the Star credentials campaign. The campaign, featuring Academy Award-winning actor Benicio del Toro, brings Heineken to life by focusing on the brand’s quality, heritage and international footprint, the company says. There’s More Behind the Star represents the brand’s biggest campaign and highest media investment to date in the United States, it adds.  

Following an appearance on ABC’s “Shark Tank” and with support from local investors, entrepreneur Danny Grossfeld launched HOTSHOT, an innovation that makes hot, ready-to-drink (RTD) coffee.

The holidays are here, and time with family and friends spent over food and drinks is a big part of many gatherings. Beverage brands also hop on the holiday bandwagon by displaying festive flavors in brightly colored packaging to entice consumers.

Stella Artois, a brand of Anheuser-Busch Inbev, Leuven, Belgium, and award-winning artist John Legend debuted "Under the Stars," an exclusive holiday single written and performed by Legend, which launched in conjunction with the Stella Artois Give Beautifully holiday campaign, the company says. The duet pays homage to the brand's name, "Stella," which directly translates to "star" in Latin, it adds.

Boston-based Drizly, the technology company offering convenient alcohol delivery across the United States, unveiled its Mile High Mixology Guide. The guide features suggestions for travelers to become their own in-flight mixologist during holiday air travel this year, the company says.