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Ronny Chieng fronts Johnnie Walker campaign

Diageo-owned blended whisky brand Johnnie Walker has teamed up with actor and comedian Ronny Chieng to celebrate the Lunar New Year.

Johnnie Walker Ronny Chieng
Comedian Ronny Chieng and wife Hannah Pham celebrate the Lunar Year Year with Johnnie Walker

Johnnie Walker is aiming to bring a touch of humour to Lunar New Year celebrations through its partnership with Chieng, an Emmy-winning correspondent from The Daily Show and star of Crazy Rich Asians and Interior Chinatown.

The campaign embraces ‘the evolving customs that reflect the dynamic spirit of the season, honouring both tradition and progress’.

Chieng showcases ‘his sharp wit and fresh perspective’ on the season’s celebrations in a marketing video while reflecting on the deeper meaning of the holiday by sharing personal traditions with his wife, Hannah Pham.

The couple celebrates the occasion with family, food, and Johnnie Walker Blue Label in a Golden Orange Old Fashioned.

Chieng said: “The Lunar New Year is all about coming together to celebrate and honour family traditions, but it also offers an opportunity to evolve those customs. Hannah and I are very happy to welcome Johnnie Walker into our Lunar New Year celebrations, making new traditions uniquely our own.”

Johnnie Walker Blue List

The blended Scotch brand is also launching the next iteration of ‘The Johnnie Walker Blue List’, a digital guide that showcases the best bars and restaurants in US cities to enjoy Blue Label cocktails and food pairings.

Josh Dean, vice-president of Johnnie Walker at Diageo North America, stated: “Created in collaboration with progressive partners in traditional spaces, the ‘Blue List’ invites fans to actively participate in the future of the celebration, offering a fresh way to honour Lunar New Year traditions while supporting the communities that celebrate it – embodying Johnnie Walker’s iconic ‘Keep Walking’ message of embracing progress and moving culture forward.

“By spotlighting these restaurants and bars and tapping into their culinary and local trend expertise, we’re able to recognise their impact on the culinary scene and push the boundaries of how Scotch whisky can be enjoyed, inspiring new ways to celebrate and connect.”

Bars and restaurants in California, Texas, New York, Florida and Chicago will offer cocktail-and-food pairings to celebrate the holiday while supporting local businesses.

The new campaign follows the launch of the brand’s limited edition Year of the Snake bottle, designed by artist James Jean.

The Lunar New Year has attracted multiple producers and brands in 2025, including Royal Salute, Martell Cognac and Don Julio Tequila.

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