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BACARDÍ(R) Rum returns for a fourth year as the Official Spirits Partner of the 2026 MTV VIDEO MUSIC AWARDS ("VMAs"), celebrating the return of Best Dance category after a 7-year hiatus. Sep 16, 2026, 07:00 ET BACARDÍ expands its partnership by reviving the show's Best Dance Award, a new custom ad featuring original Latin-inspired remixes of past years' category winners, and signature cocktails inspired by the music's biggest night. HAMILTON, Bermuda, Sept. 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - BACARDÍ(R) Rum, The World's Most Awarded Rum, returns for a fourth consecutive year as the Official Spirits Partner of the 2026 MTV VIDEO MUSIC AWARDS ("VMAs"), hosted by Snoop Dogg on Sunday, September 27 in Los Angeles and airing on CBS Television Network. As part of the next chapter of its global Do What Moves You campaign, BACARDÍ is expanding its partnership with the "VMAs" by helping bring back the Best Dance category for the first time in seven years. Returning for the first time since 2019, the Best Dance category recognizes the artists whose work inspires audiences to move, connect, and share unforgettable moments. Building on their longstanding partnership and shared passion for music and culture, BACARDÍ and the "VMAs" believe dance is the most participatory expression of music - transforming songs into shared experiences that transcend language, background, and generations. Together, the duo is shining a spotlight on the artists, creators and fans who continue to shape the future of dance music and its influence on culture. "Music has always had the power to bring people together, and dance is one of the most universal expressions of that connection," said Lisa Pfenning, Vice President of BACARDÍ in North America. "When we learned the Best Dance category hadn't been awarded in seven years, we knew it was time to bring it back for the fans. Dance has always been at the heart of music, and today, it's driving culture in more ways than ever, from viral trends to packed dance floors. We're proud to partner with Paramount to celebrate the artists and creators leading that movement." To celebrate the category's return, BACARDÍ has partnered with Paramount Media Labs, Paramount Advertising's full-service branded content studio, to debut "It All Starts With a Beat," an original content campaign inspired by the rhythm that transforms music into movement. Featuring acclaimed producer Caleb Calloway alongside celebrated dancers and choreographers Dexter Carr, Gabi Barra and Dario Boatner, the campaign follows the creative process behind an original Latin-inspired remix and choreography built around iconic Best Dance-winning tracks, including "Livin' La Vida Loca" by Ricky Martin and "Waiting For Tonight" by Jennifer Lopez and "Free Your Mind" by En Vogue. Created and produced by Paramount Media Labs, the exclusive custom content will air during the "VMAs." BACARDÍ will serve the official cocktail lineup on "VMAs" night, including the beloved Moonwalk Mojito, BACARDÍ Agua Fresca, BACARDÍ Coco Colada Spritz and BACARDÍ 808, inviting guests to raise a glass to the year's biggest celebration of music. "Dance music is experiencing a powerful resurgence, making this the perfect year to reintroduce Best Dance Video to the 'VMAs'. Together with BACARDÍ's vision and Paramount's deep music, talent and cultural expertise, we created an authentic campaign and unforgettable experience that captures the energy fueling the genre's momentum and unites the brand, show, artists and fans in a meaningful way," said Matt Newcomb, Senior Vice President of Marketing Activation, Paramount Media Labs. The 2026 MTV VIDEO MUSIC AWARDS ("VMAs") returns to the West Coast for the first time since 2017, broadcasting live on Sunday, Sept. 27 (7:30-9:30 PM, ET/ 4:30-6:30 PM, PT) on the CBS Television Network, simulcast on MTV and streaming live on Paramount+ (Premium) in the U.S. The show will also be available globally the next day on Paramount+ and MTV. The "VMAs" are produced by Gunpowder & Sky. Van Toffler serves as producer. Jesse Ignjatovic of Den of Thieves, Barb Bialkowski and Bruce Gillmer serve as executive producers alongside Barry Barclay and Floris Bauer. Melanie Block serves as co-executive producer and Gary Lanvy as co-producer. Snoop Dogg is executive producer alongside producers Sara Ramaker and Jasmin Ratansi. Jen Proctor is executive talent producer. BACARDÍ Moonwalk Mojito, Official Cocktail of the 2026 MTV "VMAs" Ingredients * 1.5 oz BACARDÍ Superior Rum * 0.75 oz Mojito Mint Syrup * 0.75 oz Lime Juice * Top with Club Soda * Mint Sprig & Lime Wedge Method: Combine BACARDÍ Superior Rum, lime juice, mint syrup, and mint leaves in a shaker tin with ice and shake vigorously. Strain into cup over fresh ice and top with a splash of club soda, stir to incorporate. Garnish with a mint sprig. BACARDÍ Agua Fresca Ingredients * 1.5 oz BACARDÍ Gold Rum * 0.75 oz Lime Juice * 0.75 oz Fresh Watermelon Juice * 0.25 oz Chamoy * Watermelon Slice Method: In a shaker, combine BACARDÍ Gold Rum, lime juice, and Watermelon Juice with ice and shake vigorously. Add 0.25 oz Chamoy to a cup and fill with ice. Strain shaker into cup with fresh ice and garnish with watermelon slice. BACARDÍ Coco Colada Spritz Ingredients * 1.5 oz BACARDÍ Coconut Rum * 0.5 oz Fresh Pineapple Juice * 0.75 oz Lime Juice * Top with Club Soda * Dehydrated Pineapple Slice Method: Combine BACARDÍ Coco Rum, lime juice, and Pineapple Juice into cup with ice and shake vigorously. Strain into cup over fresh ice with splash of club soda and stir to incorporate. Garnish with dehydrated pineapple slice. BACARDÍ 808 Ingredients * 1.5 oz BACARDÍ Reserva Ocho Rum * 1/5 oz Banana du Brasil liqueur * 2 dashes Angostura bitters * Orange Half Wheel Method: Combine BACARDÍ Reserva Ocho Rum, banana liqueur and bitters into cup, add ice and stir to chill. Add more ice to top and garnish with an orange half wheel. About BACARDÍ(R) Rum - The World's Most Awarded Rum In 1862, in the city of Santiago de Cuba, founder Don Facundo Bacardí Massó revolutionized the spirits industry when he created a light-bodied rum with a particularly smooth taste - BACARDÍ. The unique taste of BACARDÍ rum inspired cocktail pioneers to invent some of the world's most famous recipes including the BACARDÍ Mojito, the BACARDÍ Daiquiri, the BACARDÍ Cuba Libre, the BACARDÍ Piña Colada and the BACARDÍ El Presidente. BACARDÍ rum is the world's most awarded spirit, with more than 1000 awards for quality, taste and innovation. Today, BACARDÍ rum is made mainly in Puerto Rico where it is crafted to ensure the taste remains the same today as it did when it was first blended in 1862. www.BACARDÍ.com The BACARDÍ brand is part of the portfolio of Bacardi Limited, headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda. Bacardi Limited refers to the Bacardi group of companies, including Bacardi International Limited. LIVE PASSIONATELY. DRINK RESPONSIBLY. (C) 2026 BACARDÍ AND THE BAT DEVICE ARE TRADEMARKS. SOURCE BACARDÍ(R) Rum

Netflix and Skydance Animation to part ways following Ray Gunn and Jack in the Beanstalk movie. Netflix will also continue to release Brad Bird's movie Ray Gunn ahead of Christmas. The ambitious partnership between Netflix and Skydance Animation is coming to an end, per Deadline. We've learned that following the release of Eddie in the Beanstalk in 2027, the animation studio headed by John Lasseter will pivot away from streaming-first releases and head back to theaters under a new distribution strategy. As many of you will remember, we called Netflix acquiring the rights to Skydance Animation's slate Netflix's biggest flex of 2023, partnering with what we dubbed "Pixar 2.0." After a brief stint with Apple TV+, Skydance brought its heavyweight creative team over to Netflix in a multi-year deal that promised a steady pipeline of top-tier animated features. Get the latest Netflix news, reviews, and releases in your inbox. In a statement to Deadline, Netflix and Paramount wrote, "Netflix and Paramount have mutually agreed to conclude their animated film agreement. Both companies remain fully committed to the successful releases of Ray Gunn and the untitled Jack and the Beanstalk project on Netflix, and additionally will continue their longstanding content licensing relationship. We are proud of our collaboration to date and look forward to bringing these upcoming films to audiences around the world." Here is what we know about the end of the deal, the remaining movies on the Netflix slate, and where Skydance is heading next. What's still coming to Netflix from Skydance? Netflix still has a robust slate of Skydance titles lined up over the next year and a half, as we've been tracking in our guide to every new Skydance Animation movie coming soon to Netflix. First up on the docket is the highly anticipated sci-fi noir Ray Gunn. As we detailed in our massive preview for Ray Gunn's release date, cast, and plot, the film is confirmed for release on December 18th, 2026 with a very limited theatrical run. We're quite high on the film after seeing a bunch of footage at Annecy Film Festival and hearing from others who have seen it in full in recent weeks. The final swan song for the Skydance/Netflix era will be an adaptation of Jack and the Beanstalk, yet to be officially titled, with Rich Moore directing (Wreck-It Ralph and Zootopia). No release date yet, but this fantasy feature will officially mark the end of the multi-year output deal between the two entertainment giants presumably over the next year or two. A look back at the Skydance/Netflix era. The partnership has certainly been a rollercoaster in terms of viewership and critical reception. Things didn't start with the explosive momentum Netflix likely hoped for. Just a while back, we had to ask: Was Spellbound a disappointment for Netflix? The fantasy musical struggled to capture the zeitgeist in the way comparable Disney or Pixar films traditionally do. However, they more than made up for it with their massive smash hit, Swapped. The body-swap comedy became a global phenomenon for the streamer, racking up staggering viewership numbers. If you need proof of its success, look no further than it smashing its way onto the Netflix Top 10 All-Time Most Popular list. We absolutely loved it too - you can read our review of Swapped here. What's next for Skydance Animation? With the Netflix output deal ending after its new Jack and the Beanstalk movie, Skydance Animation is pivoting hard back to traditional cinemas. Their subsequent slate will be distributed theatrically through Paramount Pictures (and Warner Bros., assuming the much-discussed corporate merger/distribution deal goes through). The first post-Netflix projects on the horizon for Skydance include Cosmic Motors, directed by former Pixar head John Lasseter himself; this sci-fi vehicle adventure will mark Lasseter's return to the director's chair. Louie Del Carmen, per Deadline, will co-direct. We've also been hearing of a project called Untitled Jaguar Project, but details remain tightly under wraps. While it's a shame to lose such a premium pipeline of animated features on Netflix, the streamer still holds a massive internal animation division and a tight relationship with Sony Pictures Animation. In fact, Netflix's animation feature slate remains pretty robust through 2027 and beyond. Netflix's first fully produced internal movie drops in November: Steps and Charlie Vs. The Chocolate Factory recently got a huge vote of confidence with a robust theatrical release scheduled for late 2027. A sequel to Adam Sandler's Leo and Guillermo del Toro's stop motion movie The Buried Giant are also in the works. Are you disappointed that the Skydance Animation and Netflix partnership is coming to an end? Are you excited for Ray Gunn and Eddie in the Beanstalk? Let us know in the comments down below!

Gap hires entertainment exec to take branding beyond fashion. 2026-09-10 Gap Inc. has named former Paramount Global executive Jamie Drew as head of strategic partnerships and growth to expand its brand presence beyond apparel. Drew will explore opportunities in experiences, hospitality, sports, gaming and food and beverage. The retailer has ramped up its cultural marketing efforts over the past year to embed the brand into pop culture, collaborating with celebrities like Hailey Bieber and pop group Katseye, sponsoring major events such as Coachella and producing creative content tied to cultural moments like the Super Bowl. Gap-owned brands Banana Republic and Old Navy have also embraced influencer partnerships and nostalgia-driven campaigns. Full story: NRF SmartBrief News and trends about the U.S. Retail industry Designed specifically for retail professionals, NRF SmartBrief is a free, daily email newsletter. It provides the latest need-to-know news and industry information that maximizes your time, giving you an edge over your competition.