June 11, 2005, Louisville, Ky. - Early Times Kentucky Whisky is offering consumers a chance to catch big money in its "Reel Times" fishing promotion which runs from July 1 to July 31. Early Times could potentially give away a total of $350,000 if a consumer from each participating state (Alabama, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, and Virginia) wins the Grand Prize of $50,000. For a chance to win consumers need to catch a bass tagged by Early Times and register their tag number on the Early Times site.
"Over the last several years, Early Times has used our 'Reel Times' retail promotion and our Early Times professional fishing teams to connect with consumers. This year's tagged fish promotion adds another layer of excitement for our consumers who fish," said Allen Ogburn, brand manager for Early Times.
How the promotion works:
Early Times will tag 50 fish in each state with one potentially winning tag number per state. To be eligible for a chance at the Grand Prize of $50,000, the consumer has to pass through two stages -- the semi-finals drawing and the Grand Prize drawing. Consumers who catch a tagged bass and register their tag number on the Early Times site (www.earlytimes.com) will automatically win an Early Times prize package and a spot in the semi-finals.
An independent party will then select one semi-finalist per state from all the submitted tags to enter the Grand Prize drawing of $50,000. If the selected semi-finalist has registered a tag number that corresponds to the winning tag number in his or her state, $50,000 will be awarded.
The semi-finalists will be randomly selected for the Grand Prize drawing in each state after the promotion ends on July 31. Early Times will announce any winners of the "Reel Times" promotion during the first two weeks of August.
In preparation for the promotion, Early Times will work with local Departments of Natural Resources and fishing guides to tag fish. To further support the local fishing industry Early Times will make a donation to local wildlife conservation groups in each state where fish are tagged.
"We are excited to give back to the community and to support local fishing conservation efforts," Ogburn said.
Early Times will tag fish in the following lakes: Ø Guntersville Lake, Alabama Ø Lay Lake, Alabama Ø Carlyle Lake, Illinois Ø Lake Monroe, Indiana Ø Lake Cumberland, Kentucky Ø Kentucky Lake, Kentucky Ø Ross Barnett Lake, Mississippi Ø Lake Norman, North Carolina Ø Jordan Lake, North Carolina Ø Lake Anna, Virginia Ø Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia
Note: You must be at least 21 years old to be eligible. Void where prohibited. You must have the necessary fishing license/permit to be eligible. Complete promotion details and rules are available on www.earlytimes.com.
Early Times Kentucky Whisky, is enjoyed in 40 countries around the world and the Early Times Mint Julep is the official drink of the Kentucky Derby. Brown-Forman Corporation is a diversified producer and marketer of fine quality consumer products, including Jack Daniel's, Early Times, Canadian Mist, Southern Comfort, Finlandia Vodka, Fetzer and Bolla Wines, Korbel California Champagnes, Lenox, Dansk, and Gorham tableware and giftware, and Hartmann Luggage.
