A “Kentucky Hug” is a well-known term among bourbon lovers and Jim Beam fans alike, and this holiday season, the brand is turning the phrase into a reality with a limited-edition holiday pajama set equipped with a built-in “hug simulator” so you can send a cozy hug to anyone you’re missing this season, it says.

Pernod Ricard announced a significant move to further leverage the strong growth and growth potential of its premium American whiskey portfolio: The American Whiskey Collective. The wine and spirit company will invest approximately $250 million over five years to build a state-of-the-art, carbon neutral distillery, with related aging warehouses in Marion County, Ky., for its fast-growing Jefferson’s Bourbon brand.

Keurig Dr Pepper Inc. (KDP), Burlington, Mass., and Frisco, Texas, and Nutrabolt announced a strategic partnership, including a definitive agreement for a long-term sales and distribution arrangement that leverages KDP’s go-to-market capabilities and a equity investment that enables KDP to participate in the value creation upside expected to be created through the strategic partnership, the company says.

Accolade Wines announced that it has entered into a national strategic alignment with Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC), the second largest beverage alcohol distributor of premium wine and spirits in the United States. This partnership will expand Accolade Wines’ availability in the United States to include 24 states and the District of Columbia.

With the holiday season in full swing, Purchase, N.Y.-based PepsiCo unveiled its new holiday campaign featuring Lindsay Lohan and Santa inviting fans to try a surprising and naughty new twist on an old tradition with the introduction of Pilk and Cookies.

Crown Royal is removing the physical barriers of their iconic bag-packing program that may stand in the way of amazing acts of generosity and allowing people to digitally honor those most generous as part of "That Deserves A Crown,” it says. The digital collectible does not require participants to have a digital wallet, it notes.

Stamford, Conn.-based BlueTriton Brands announced teaming up with New York-based Teads, a global media platform, to launch a first-to-market sustainability initiative that will reduce the carbon impact of BlueTriton’s digital advertising practices.

Austin, Texas-based Nutrabolt, a global active health and wellness company, announced the addition of Chief Marketing Officer Robert Zajac, and Chief Growth Officer, Sabba Naserian to its executive team. Each highly accomplished leader takes a results-driven approach to innovation, and plays an integral role in pushing the company to its next phase of success, it says.

The North American Divisions of Purchase, N.Y.-based PepsiCo announced teaming up to launch its Share More Joy campaign, featuring a new holiday commercial: “Melt.” The commercial, which debuted on Thanksgiving Day, marks the first national holiday commercial collaboration between Frito-Lay and PepsiCo Beverages. 

Byzzer by Chicago-based NielsenIQ, a data intelligence platform developed to help emerging brands drive growth and win market share, announced the availability of omnisales data for users of its platform. 
The new reporting functionality provides emerging — small and mid-sized — brands with the intelligence they need to navigate the challenges of omnichannel behaviors and shopping, it says.