Interviews

Published on June 4th, 2018 | by Darren Paltrowitz

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Campari’s Dave Karraker On Negroni Week 2018 & More

An annual celebration launched in 2013 to celebrate one of the world’s great cocktails — the Negroni — and also raise money for charities, Negroni Week takes place from June 4 to 10, 2018. Negroni Week started off with around 120 participating venues and now has over 7,700 partnering establishments. To date, the cause has raised close to $1.5 million for a variety of charitable causes.

One of the major participants in Negroni Week is Campari. An apéritif made from the infusion of herbs and fruit, Campari was invented in 1860 by Gaspare Campari in Novara, Italy. Campari is not only an essential ingredient within the classic Negroni cocktail, but also the Americano and the spritz.

I had the pleasure of speaking with Dave Karraker, the Vice President of Marketing and Engagement & Advocacy at Campari, and below are some of the highlights. More on Campari can be found at www.campari.com, while more on Negroni Week is online at www.negroniweek.com.

What does Campari have in store for Negroni Week 2018? How did this collaboration first start?

Dave Karraker: As a global initiative with over 6,000 participants signed up already, there is no shortage of exciting events and unique offerings for everyone to enjoy, all while supporting local charities. One thing I’m particularly excited about and proud of is Campari’s first-ever Campari Community Service Day where on June 5th in over 20 cities across the U.S., bartenders and Campari employees will join forces volunteering at local animal shelters, organizing beach clean-ups, and preparing and delivering meals to local charities, community groups and firehouses, feeding the people who are making a positive impact in their local communities.

Negroni Week originally began as a grassroots initiative within the bartending community, and is now the largest charitable giving program in the history of the spirits industry. Since 2013, we’ve raised $1.5 million for charity with the help of thousands of participants and Negroni lovers everywhere.

Negronis aside, what is coming up for Campari?

Dave Karraker: he Negroni will always be a mainstay for Campari. After all, Campari is at the heart of every Negroni. What we are seeing lately, however, is an exploration of what is just a sip beyond that classic drink. The Boulevardier — equal parts Campari, Bourbon and Sweet Vermouth — is definitely having a moment right now, fueled by the popularity of Bourbon, America’s native spirit. You can also expect Campari to play a key role in the low alcohol cocktail trend sweeping the nation right now, led by the Aperol Spritz. The Negroni Sbagliato — equal parts Campari and Sweet Vermouth, topped with Prosecco — is a delightful summer refresher.


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About the Author

Darren Paltrowitz is a New York resident with over 20 years of entertainment industry experience. He began working around the music business as a teenager, interning for the manager of his then-favorite band Superdrag. Since then, he has worked with a wide array of artists including OK Go, They Might Be Giants, Mike Viola, Tracy Bonham, Loudness, Rachael Yamagata, and Amanda Palmer. Darren's writing has appeared in dozens of outlets including the New York Daily News, Inquisitr, The Daily Meal, The Hype Magazine, All Music Guide, Guitar World, TheStreet.com, Businessweek, Chicago Tribune, L.A. Times, and the Jewish Journal. Beyond being "Editor At Large" for The Hype Magazine, Darren is also the host of weekly "Paltrocast With Darren Paltrowitz" series, which airs on dozens on television and digital networks. He has also co-authored 2 published books, 2018's "Pocket Change: Your Happy Money" (Book Web Publishing) and 2019's "Good Advice From Professional Wrestling" (6623 Press), and co-hosts the world's only known podcast about David Lee Roth, "The DLR Cast."


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