Diageo has announced a host city for the final of its World Class 2011 bartender competition. Delhi, India, will play host to the final of what has been dubbed “the Oscars of the industry”.

Diageo Gobal Travel Middle East (GTME) has announced three ‘key strategic leadership’ appointments to its senior executive management team.

Diageo Great Britain (Diageo GB) has agreed a final settlement with Intercontinental Brands (ICB) in their dispute over ICB’s Vodkat product. The settlement sees the end of litigation between the two companies that has been ongoing since 2008.

Diageo intends to grow Captain Morgan into a "global mega brand", according to Ed Pilkington, the group’s global category director for vodka, gin and rum.

Diageo has initiated discussions to take over 50% of Guatemalan rum brand Zacapa.

Diageo has launched a new expression of its Johnnie Walker scotch whisky in Delhi duty free. Johnnie Walker XR 21 year old is now available in T3, Indira Gandhi International Airport.

Diageo has launched its autumn Special Release Series, a collection of single malt scotch whiskies aimed at the world’s top bars and whisky connoisseurs.

East African Breweries Limited (EABL), a subsidiary of Diageo, has completed the acquisition of 51% of the issued share capital of Serengeti Breweries Limited (SBL). EABL made the purchase from existing shareholders for a total consideration of approximately US$60.4million.

US: Diageo has launched a Swedish vodka in the US market.

Diageo chief executive Paul Walsh has been selected by the UK prime minister David Cameron to advise on business and economic issues.

Global drinks giant Diageo has opened the doors of its new £40 million distillery in Speyside, Scotland.

Diageo has launched a new flavour of its cream liqueur brand Baileys.

Diageo has announced the appointment of Lord Mervyn Davies of Abersoch to its board, effective September 1 2010. He is to be appointed as a non-executive director and his responsibilities will include membership of the audit, the nomination and the remuneration committees.

Diageo has signed up rock band Killers frontman Brandon Flowers to help celebrate Guinness’s Arthur’s Day.

As part of a previously-announced review of its wine operations, Diageo Chateau & Estate Wines has announced that it has sold its Barton & Guestier Bordeaux business to French Wine concern Castel Freres SAS. The sale includes brands, inventory and land, including Chateau Magnol.  The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Diageo has announced the winner of its global bartender competition World Class. Erik Lorincz from the Connaught Bar at The Connaught, London, was crowned champion at a ceremony in Athens, Greece.

US: Diageo has launched two new flavours for its Smirnoff vodka brand – mango and peach.

Spain/Portugal/Italy: Diageo has launched two ready to serve cocktails. The J&B Manhattan is to sell for €9.99 (70cl) and will roll out across Spain’s off-trade this month.  J&B blended scotch whisky is mixed with cherry and cranberry flavours as well as citrus and the product has an ABV of 14.9%.

US: Diageo has launched a range of brightly coloured flavoured vodkas called Ursus. The products feature a label that changes from white to blue when chilled in a freezer.

Diageo has redesigned its Smirnoff 21 packaging. The new bottles have launched in the UK and will roll out across the world from August.

Diageo has unveiled a new ad campaign for its ultra premium vodka Cîroc.

Diageo has announced changes to its global marketing department following a review of its structure.

Consumers are returning to premium purchases, according to global drinks giant Diageo.

Diageo is to launch the third batch of its single malt collection whiskies – The Managers’ Choice.

Australia: Diageo has announced it will secure the marketing and distribution rights to tequila brand Jose Cuervo in Australia, officially effective April 1 2010.