• by Les Luchter , August 24, 2021

Moving beyond its official wine partner, Sterling Vineyards, and its official spirits partner, Ketel One Vodka, the Television Academy has managed to squeeze in another wine producer – Italy’s Franciacorta -- as one of its seven corporate partners announced today for this year’s Emmy Awards season, which will culminate with the main awards telecast  Sept. 19 on CBS and Paramount+.

The Academy’s announcement said only that Franciacorta will provide “numerous varietals of wines from the region’s finest wineries.” Contrast that to Sterling Vineyards, returning as official wine partner for the sixth consecutive year, which will give a “hand-personalized” bottle of its Iridium Cabernet Sauvignon to all winners on the night of the broadcast.

Diageo’s Ketel One will serve special martini-inspired cocktails at the awards, while inviting consumers to make the same drinks via a cocktail kit (sans vodka) from D2C supplier Filthy Food.

The cocktail kit is also part of the grand prize being awarded in an Emmys watch party sweepstakes being run by Ketel One through Aug. 27. The prize, valued at $4,460, also includes a $500 gift card, a virtual mixology class “inspired by iconic martini moments in television and entertainment,” and -- for the one night only --  the use of a professional photographer, projector, screen, 10-foot red carpet and sectional sofa.

Back at the awards itself, official automotive partner Kia America will use the occasion as the prime-time launch of its all-electric 2022 EV6, part of ‘Plan S’ strategy that will deliver 11 all-new electrified models by 2026.

Other Emmy corporate partners include official water Fiji, official entertainment magazine People and official air carrier United Airlines.