SMIRNOFF ® CREATIVE GRANTS

A GROUNDBREAKING INITIATIVE SUPPORTING ASPIRING NIGHTLIFE PROMOTERS

“Smirnoff have hit upon an idea that has the potential to put a lot more back into clubland”
Mixmag, September 2008

“The next wave of Bestivals, Trashes and Clash Clubs could start right here”
Clash, September 2008

November 2009 – The Smirnoff Co. announced today details of the second year of the groundbreaking initiative – Smirnoff Creative Grants (formerly Night Vision) – which aims to discover, support & celebrate up-and-coming nightlife promoters of one-of-a-kind events and experiences - the type you’ll want to look back on and say “I was there”.


Behind every legendary night, from clubs to festivals to gigs, is a fixer, an organiser, a promoter. Their names are rarely the ones in bright lights or on thousands of flyers, but they know who they are and what they did; they made the night happen. It is these individuals that the Smirnoff Creative Grants initiative aims to celebrate & support.


The programme, which launches again this September, will focus on 2 areas ;

· An online advice & resource forum to anyone organising a night to remember

· A bursary scheme for promoters in Great Britain - offering four contributions of £5,000 to budding promoters to help pay for the overheads of their night

Playing a key part of both these areas is a new panel of experts for 2009, made up of nightlife luminaries. Presiding over the 4 bursaries of £5,000 the panel includes Radio 1’s Rob da Bank, DJ duo The Queens of Noize, second generation music mogul Oliver Wilson, nightlife correspondent Rahul Verma and Editor of Clash Magazine - Matthew Bennett.


Rob da Bank comments

"I am very taken with the Smirnoff Creative Grants initiative for promoters. I started out as promoter putting on Sunday Best events with a £1.99 entrance fee, and now have my own Bestival and Camp Bestival festivals for up to 35,000 people. I'm delighted to help select some of the country's most unique and original new music promoters."

Applications for Creative Grants can be submitted via the Smirnoff Facebook page after becoming a fan. The closing date for applications is Friday December 11th 2009, when the experts will select the four most progressive and forward thinking experiences to each receive £5,000. The resulting nights will form a season of events across the UK throughout Spring 2010 .

Four London events from last year’s campaign namely, Rock A Hula, White Wedding, Avantgarden and Glitter Ball, took place at the end of September to mark the UK launch of the initiative and a series of Smirnoff events that will take place around the world. To find out further information about these global events visit Smirnoff.com.

Creative Grants is part of The Smirnoff Co.’s ongoing commitment to original nightlife. It is one of a number of event programmes and partnerships celebrating unique nightlife and entertainment complimented with unique drinking experiences.

So, if you’re a promoter, go ahead; think big. Be original. See the possibilities. Make it happen.

For more information on Smirnoff Creative Grants, details of how to apply and for your chance to be there at the events, please visit:
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