GÖSSER - AUSTRIA'S NUMBER-ONE BEER BRAND
A unifying celebration
Winter 2007
Gösser and the Austrian Skiing Association (OSV)
last year celebrated their 15th year of
partnership. For the 2006/2007 Alpine Ski World
Cup season in Austria, Gösser was once again
the official beer at all events, including the
International Hahnenkamm Race in Kitzbühel.
As part of its support of the OSV, Gösser was
present at six major World Cup events across
the country, including the popular Night Race in
Schladming on 30 January. Gösser offered
customers many exciting promotions throughout
the ski season, such as exclusive VIP areas at all
races and a number of ticket give-aways,
including a prize trip accompanying the Austria
ski team to the World Championships in Are,
Sweden.
"This year, we also filmed a television
commercial starring former Austrian ski
champion Hans Knauss and current champions
Michael Walchhofer and Stefan Görgl," says
Mario Scheckenberger, Gösser Product Manager
at BRAU UNION ÖSTERREICH in Austria,
Heineken's local operating company. "In this
entertaining new advertisement, these three
skiing legends chat about what it takes to be a
winner as they enjoy a bottle of Gösser."
Steeped in Austrian history, Gösser is the
country's leading beer brand, brewed in Göss
since 1860. "Gösser is practically synonymous
with the word beer in Austria," says Alexander
Gerschbacher, BRAU UNION'S Commercial
Director. "It is the country's most recognised
and respected beer brand, outselling every
other beer on the market. One out of every
three beers sold in Austria is a Gösser
Exported for the first time in 1920, Gösser
is sold in 23 countries including Italy, Russia,
Slovenia and Canada. The brand is also part of
Heineken's BeerTender portfolio in Austria,
alongside local brands Zipfer, and of course,
Heineken.
"Skiing is the number-one sport in Austria
and Gösser is the country's number-one beer,
making this the perfect partnership," says
Gerschbacher with pride. "Televised ski events
such as the International Hahnenkamm Race
attract much more viewers in Austria than
football or the Formula One. For this reason, it
is extremely valuable for us to be present in
such a big way at Alpine Ski World Cup events."
i
Mario Matt, who won the Hahnenkamm Slalom in Kitzbühel in 2000,
spoke about his performance before a home crowd. "I had a good feeling
right from the start. In the bottom I had some problems but all in all it was
a great run. Still, it is a bit annoying when only three hundredths of a
second are missing for victory."
At the close of both day's events, with the sun setting in the afternoon
over the Tyrolean summits, competitors and spectators alike make their
way to Kitzbühel's lively town centre, for as any self-respecting ski fan will
tell you, the fun doesn't stop when the skiers leave the slopes. For many
fans of the Hahnenkamm Race, what you do in Kitzbühel after the sun goes
down is almost as important as the competition itself. Like golfers stopping
for a drink at the proverbial "Nineteenth Hole", the party is just getting
started as everyone hits the town for drinks, dancing and some traditional
Apres-ski.
Situated in the heart of Austria's Tyrol region, Kitzbühel is a tremendously
popular destination when it comes to skiing and other winter sports. Dating
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