‘Getting Your Island On’ is Just a Day at the Beach, as Malibu and Reef Check Announce Internship Opportunity

Summer is the time to ‘Get Your Island On’ – whether it’s cocktails at the local beach or a once-in-a-lifetime excursion to an exotic tropical destination. Today, Malibu(R) announces a partnership with Reef Check that offers both enticing options to consumers nationwide. To help raise awareness of Reef Check’s mission to monitor, protect and rehabilitate reefs worldwide, Malibu kicks off the ultimate beach internship to enlist 10 interns to monitor coral reef health in Thailand, the Maldives or the Philippines. For those who can’t intern, Malibu brings the party home by introducing a limited-edition Reef Check-inspired bottle with a charitable contribution made to Reef Check on behalf of the brand.

“Our partnership with Malibu opens up many doors for Reef Check, as we engage a multitude of new participants in our efforts to survey the world’s most endangered reefs. These reefs are the canary in the coal mine for climate change, and the limited-edition bottle and beach internship program are the perfect convergence of our efforts to educate the public about the value of reef ecosystems,” says Dr. Gregor Hodgson, founder of Reef Check.

Get a PhD in SPF…and Help the Environment Along the Way

A survey conducted by the Travel Industry Association of America indicated that more than 55 million Americans have participated in a volunteer vacation, and about 100 million more are considering taking one. Malibu is giving 10 budding environmentalists a chance to do just that through the first-ever Malibu Beach Internship. Beginning today, eligible individuals who are of legal drinking age (21 and over) and passionate about ecosystem preservation may apply.

Applications will be accepted from July 1, 2009, through August 31, 2009, and are available online at www.malibu-rum.com/reefcheck. The applicants who convey the most creativity, enthusiasm and character will be selected as finalists, and will be sent on a 10-day assignment to a Malibu-sponsored eco-adventure with Reef Check to an exotic location, such as Thailand, the Philippines or the Maldives.

Participants will chart their progress via blog posts and social networking sites about conducting Reef Check surveys, take part in training sessions and become certified Malibu Reef Check EcoDivers. Through various social networking applications, Malibu hopes that the Beach Interns will help to virally spread the word and enlist others to raise awareness of coral reef health.

“Malibu understands that young adults are actively interested in conservation and environmental issues, while still embracing the mentality of ‘getting their island on.’ The Malibu Beach Internship provides a perfect opportunity to make saving the world just another day at the beach,” says Lisa McCann, Senior Brand Manager for Malibu. “We know that beaches and reefs are inextricably linked, so the partnership with Reef Check was a natural fit; the organization truly embodies the ideal of engaging the world in a fun and positive way while making a concerted difference.”

Splash into Summer with Reef Check Limited-Edition Malibu

As summer heats up and rum cocktails help beachgoers and pool partiers cool down, Malibu’s iconic white bottle has been given a daringly fun and festive makeover to reflect the energy of the Reef Check partnership. Illustrated with the colors of the Caribbean and the vibrancy of reef life, the bottle is both a showstopper and a welcome addition when stocking the bar for summer soirees.

More importantly, the specially-designed bottle is a tool to educate Malibu consumers about Reef Check and the valuable work the organization is doing to promote worldwide reef health. Furthermore, Malibu will make a considerable contribution to Reef Check in support of this initiative. With a suggested retail price of $12.99, the limited-edition bottle will be available at retail locations nationwide beginning July 2009.

About Pernod Ricard USA

Pernod Ricard USA is the premium spirits and wine company in the U.S., and the largest subsidiary of Paris, France-based Pernod Ricard SA. In July, 2008, Pernod Ricard completed the acquisition of the iconic ABSOLUT(R) Vodka brand from the V&S Group, and Pernod Ricard USA is now the second-leading company in the U.S. by sales value.

In addition to ABSOLUT(R), Pernod Ricard USA’s leading brands include such prestigious spirits as The Glenlivet(R) Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Chivas Regal(R) Scotch Whisky, Jameson(R) Irish Whiskey, Seagram’s Extra Dry Gin(R), Beefeater(R) Gin, Plymouth(TM) Gin, Martell(R) Cognac, Malibu(R) flavored Rum, Kahlua(R) Liqueur, Hiram Walker(R) Liqueurs, Pernod(R) and Ricard(R); such superior wines as Jacob’s Creek(R) and Brancott Estate(R); and such exquisite champagnes and sparkling wines as Perrier Jouet(R) Champagne, G.H. Mumm(TM) Champagne and Mumm Napa(R) sparkling wines.

The company is based in Purchase, New York, and has roughly 1,000 employees across the country. Pernod Ricard USA urges all adults to consume its products responsibly and has an active campaign to promote responsible drinking. For more information on this, please visit: www.acceptresponsibility.org

About Reef Check

Founded in 1996, the Reef Check Foundation is an international non-profit organization dedicated to conservation of two ecosystems: tropical coral reefs and California rocky reefs. Based in Los Angeles, Reef Check teams in more than 90 countries and territories create partnerships among community volunteers, government agencies, businesses, universities and other non-profits. The goal is to educate the public about the value of reef ecosystems and the current crisis affecting marine life as well as to create a global network of trained volunteer diving teams who regularly monitor and report on reef status in support of science-based conservation.