Miller Genuine Draft has opened an "MGD Tap Room" on the
World Wide Web -- which "is becoming the Internet's most popular
and creative site." The "virtual pub" will provide cyber-junkies
with information on trends in sports, music, fashion, nightlife,
and art. James Taylor, Brand Director of MGD and MGD Light:
"The imagery of the MGD tap room is ideal because like
traditional tap rooms, our virtual tap room is a place where
people can go to find out what's going on and share information.
MGD is perfect for providing a forum for anyone interested in
tapping into latest happenings in popular culture." The Tap Room
can be accessed on the World Wide Web at
http://www.mgdtaproom.com. Comments and questions can be e-
mailed at anytime to the MGD Tap Room at mgdtaproommdgtaproom.com
(Miller Brewing Co.).
ARTISTIC LICENSE: According to this morning's WASHINGTON
TIMES, Philip Morris -- which owns Miller Brewing -- "breached
philanthropic protocol and broke with its own tradition of
strings-free giving last month when it asked New York arts groups
to put in a good word for the company with city lawmakers
deliberating a harsh anti-smoking law." The report says company
execs in late September "telephoned grantees and asked them to
say a kind word about the company" to NYC City Council Speaker
Peter Vallone. Darienne Dennis, Philip Morris spokesperson:
"There is no quid pro quo." William Murray, spokesperson for The
Brooklyn Academy of Music, a recipient of Philip Morris funding:
"The request was to show support for Philip Morris as a supporter
of the arts in New York City, and, from our regard, the
performing arts especially" (Tony Munroe/Nelson Pressley,
WASHINGTON TIMES, 10/20).
