Stella Artois Joins Forces with Water.org and Co-Founders Matt Damon and Gary White to Call on Consumers to Leave a Mark and Help End the Global Water Crisis

LEUVEN, Belgium, Jan. 21, 2016 /CNW/ -- Stella Artois today announced it is once again partnering with Water.org and its Co-Founders Matt Damon and Gary White on their second 'Buy a Lady a Drink' campaign. The campaign aims to drive awareness of the global water crisis that affects 663 million people around the world who lack access to clean water, and calls on consumers to help leave a legacy as the generation that ends this crisis, once and for all.

The 'Buy a Lady a Drink' campaign was first launched in 2015 to utilize Stella Artois' global footprint to help positively impact this important issue. Water has played an important role in Stella's 600-year heritage, and is an essential ingredient in the Stella Artois that is brewed today. Last year the campaign focused on women's long journeys for clean water. This year, the campaign showcases the positive impact that access to clean water can have, while inspiring consumers to leave a positive mark on the world.

"I've seen how the lives of women and their families can change when they get access to clean water," said Water.org Co-Founder Matt Damon. "Access to water is access to education, access to work, access to the kind of future we want for all humankind. Thanks to our partnership with Stella Artois, this year's 'Buy a Lady a Drink' campaign helps us tell this story – and gives consumers the chance to help us change it."

"Water.org is committed to making clean water accessible so everyone in the world has the opportunity to prosper," said Water.org Co-Founder and CEO, Gary White. "We're proud to partner with Stella Artois again this year to help us change more futures around the globe."

Exclusive, Limited-Edition Chalices Designed by Local Artists in Kenya, Peru and Haiti

As part of the 'Buy a Lady a Drink' campaign, consumers are invited to join the effort by purchasing one of three new exclusive, limited-edition Chalices. For every limited-edition Chalice sold, Stella Artois will help Water.org provide five years of clean water for one person in the developing world.

The Chalices feature the designs of three artists: Daniel Cortez Torres from Peru, Wini Awuondo from Kenya and Michele Manuel from Haiti.  Each design represents the specific water problem faced by women in their country, such as drought, remote distances and contamination. The artists also see beauty in their countries, which is reflected in their designs.

Building on our impact in 2015

The 2015 'Buy a Lady a Drink' campaign helped Water.org provide more than 290,000 people in the developing world with 5 years of clean water. By providing access to water, we can positively change the lives of women and their families around the world. Women can spend more time with their families; children can go to school; families can earn an income.

"Through our partnership with Water.org, we want to leave our mark by helping women and their families who have been affected by the global water crisis." said Todd Allen, Global Vice President, Stella Artois. "Last year, we helped over 290,000 in the developing world – and this year we aim to have an even greater impact." 

Matt Damon Joins Campaign Launch at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival

The 2016 'Buy a Lady a Drink' campaign is being launched at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival on January 23, where Water.org Co-Founders Matt Damon and Gary White are hosting a panel session along with Todd Allen, Global Vice President, Stella Artois. The discussion will be centered on the current global water crisis, and what needs to be done to end the long water collection journeys many women in developing countries have to make each day.

The launch event will also feature the unveiling of three new digital short films:

• The first film showcases a zoetrope animation, a moving image device that features individual Stella Artois Chalices painted with different scenes of the positive impact that access to clean water can bring -- such as growing crops, earning an income and going to school. As the zoetrope device spins, the individual Chalice images animate, visually bringing to life the many different ways that access to clean water can positively affect lives.
• The second film, featuring Matt Damon with the zoetrope, asks consumers to consider their own personal legacies and challenges them to become part of the generation that ends the global water crisis.
• Finally, the third film is a YouTube 360 video, which brings to life the experience of one woman and her family in Honduras via virtual reality on consumers' mobile devices. At the launch event, guests will be able to experience the video directly though Occulus Rift headsets.

Consumers can learn more about the campaign, and how they can leave their mark, by visiting www.BuyALadyADrink.com.

About Stella Artois
Stella Artois® is part of a Belgian brewing tradition dating back to 1366. It is the No. 1 Belgian beer in the world and is present in 95 countries. Stella Artois is a bottom filtered, blonde pilsner. It is thirst quenching with a malty middle and crisp finish delivering a full flavour and a hint of bitterness. Stella Artois is best enjoyed served between 3 and 5 degree Celsius and should be served in the unique Stella Artois Chalice according to the 9-Step Pouring Ritual to guarantee a perfect experience of this gold standard lager. Visit www.stellaartois.com for more information.

About Water.org
For more than 20 years, Water.org has been at the forefront of developing and delivering solutions to the global water crisis. Founded by Gary White and Matt Damon, Water.org pioneers innovative, community-driven and market-based initiatives to ensure all people have access to safe water and sanitation -- giving women hope, children health and communities a future. To date, Water.org has positively transformed the lives of more than 3 million people around the world, ensuring a better life for generations ahead. Learn more at http://water.org and www.facebook.com/water.

For more information, please contact:
Victoria Tomlin
[email protected] | [phone]

Water.org
Morée Scofield
[email protected] | 816.456.3916

Video - https://youtu.be/AEtJNMGa8fE

SOURCE Stella Artois