Johnnie Walker, the world's best-selling brand of Scotch Whisky, recently introduced an exclusive competition on its facebook page (www.facebook.com/johnniewalkerjamaica) as part of its Responsible Drinking campaign 'Be A Giant: Don't Drink and Drive'.

The prize, to bowl the first ceremonial ball of the day to Sir Viv Richards, marks a new deal between Johnnie Walker and the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB). Johnnie Walker is the official whisky of the West Indies v India, 2011 Series between June 4 and July 10 and will use the series as a platform to raise the level of awareness about the importance of not drinking and driving.

inviting cricket fans

As part of the ongoing Be a Giant campaign, Sir Viv Richards launched the Johnnie Walker Facebook page, inviting cricket fans and the wider public to join the group and pledge to 'Be a Giant: Don't Drink and Drive'. Those that make the special commitment will stand a chance of bowling the ceremonial first ball to Sir Vivian, just before the Digicel Pearls ODI against India, in front of a packed Sabina Park on June 16. The winners will also receive VIP tickets to watch the game with Sir Viv in a sky box, before attending an elite Johnnie Walker party after the game. Everyone is invited to join Sir Viv on Facebook where there will be regular updates and information about the Be A Giant campaign.

Sir Vivian Richards explained; "It was great to be back in Jamaica last week to launch the Facebook page. If you visit the page, and 'like' the group to Never Drink and Drive, you will be in with a chance of bowling the first ball of the day to me, prior to the ODI match against India on June 16. You can then enjoy the game from a box with me! I will be practising by batting so let's see if you've got what it takes to Be A Giant."

Dr Ernest Hilaire - CEO WICB, commented: "We are thrilled to be continuing our relationship with such an iconic brand as Johnnie Walker. The WICB shares Johnnie Walker's commitment to responsible drinking and specifically the Be A Giant: Don't Drink and Drive campaign. We look forward to partnering with Johnnie Walker through the West Indies v India, 2011 Series"

Former West Indies captain, Sir Vivian Richards, has been working with Johnnie Walker to promote responsible drinking in the Caribbean over the past four years and is, once again, the face of the Be a Giant campaign that becomes part of Johnnie Walker's global 'Walk with Giants' programme.

Al Barnes, managing director of Red Stripe, which distributes Johnnie Walker locally commented: "We are delighted to be continuing our relationship with the West Indies Cricket Board and West Indies legend Sir Vivian. The message of drinking responsibly is very important to us and we couldn't have had a better ambassador than Sir Viv.

"For the lucky consumer that gets to bowl to Sir Viv at Sabina Park on June 16, I have one advice - bowl then get out of the way!"