Consumers just needed to upload a photo of their printed itemized receipt showing usage of The Rock’s Teremana tequilia, and they were directly reimbursed via Venmo for up to $10 for their guacamole. Over the length of the five-day initiative, which also celebrated Johnson’s 49th birthday on May 2, Teremana picked up the check, reimbursing U.S. restaurant and bar goers for up to $1 million in free guacamole appetizers.

“This past year, the hospitality industry was hit hard, knocked on its knees like many industries at home and abroad,” Johnson said in a video on Instagram. “I just found out that 10 percent of the U.S. economy is made up from the hospitality industry, and this supplies a massive makeup of our economy. This is an industry close to my heart and one that normally gives all of us so much support year-round. These people need our help and support to get back in business.”

Launched in March 2020, Teremana is an ultra-premium, small-batch tequila crafted at the highest peaks of the Jalisco highland mountains. With two expressions, a blanco and a reposado, its name translates as “spirit of the earth,” from the Latin word “terra,” meaning earth, and the Polynesian word “mana,” meaning spirit. “Teremana has quickly become the tequila of the people,” Johnson proudly says.

Johnson isn’t the only one thinking outside of the box to get the hospitality industry moving again. A new mobile app, “Get Your Drink On,” GYDO is a drink-gifting app @Get_GYDO that enables users to socially gift a drink to someone in the same bar or in a location across the country, making up for missed moments that cannot be attended in person.

Available worldwide through the Apple App and Google Play Store, the GYDO Drink Card can be used to purchase a beer, cocktail or wine at any brewery, winery or restaurant or bar that accepts payments through mobile apps.

Co-founded by entrepreneurs Ryan Williams and Rachel H. van Gorp, GYDO is led by a team of experts with 10 years of experience in mobile app development. As expatriates who were distanced from family and friends, Williams and van Gorp grew tired of missing out on weddings, birthdays, promotions and engagements after moving far away from their loved ones.

“Ryan and I were both expats when we created GYDO, and designed the mobile app with human connection in mind after experiencing firsthand the emotional toll that takes hold after missing out on so many of life’s important moments that we would otherwise be present for had it not been for the distance,” van Gorp said in a statement. “At a time when being connected to loved ones matters more than ever before, GYDO is pioneering the drink-gifting revolution by providing users with a unique way to virtually join the celebration with friends and family.”

In a crazy year, I was beyond excited to go out on-premise and have a Margarita and some chips and homemade guacamole in celebration of Cinco de Mayo. Unfortunately, one of my favorite Mexican restaurants, Laredo's Restaurant, had to permanently close its door as a result of the global pandemic.

However, what was really cool was that my guacamole was paid for my none other than actor and new beverage entrepreneur Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Johnson’s “Guac on The Rock,” was a live initiative that took place May 1-5 to encourage people across the country to support their local bars and restaurants whether they were dining inside/outside or to-go.

Hornitos Tequila, a premium tequila brand founded on the belief that nothing great ever happens without taking a chance, in partnership with the Black List, recently announced the 2021 Black List Hornitos “Take Your Shot” Short Film Program. The program will award five emerging filmmakers grants to turn their screenplays into proof of concept short films and mentorship from the Black List. The collaborative short film grant program is a first-of-its-kind program for Hornitos and the Black List, which are joining forces as a continuation of Hornitos' The Shot Fund, a multi-year, investment platform dedicated to empowering today’s generation of shot-takers, taking shots at trailblazing ventures in their careers. Op-ins will be open through midnight Aug. 31. On Sept. 1, up to 20 writers will be invited, based on the strength of their scripts, to submit additional materials, including a one-page personal statement and professional resume. To get started on the process, go to https://blcklst.com/HornitosTakeYourShot021.

Touchless technology has seen a massive surge in demand amid COVID-19. A Piplsay nationwide survey of respondents in the United States and the United Kingdom discovered the following:

• 51% of Americans say their preference for touchless technology has increased amid COVID-19 as compared with 44% of Britons.

• 40% of Americans hold a negative view of businesses that do not adopt touchless technology as compared with 35% of Britons.

• Only 49% of Americans and 34% of Britons are extremely comfortable with the increasing level of human-technology interactions.

— Piplsay, a global consumer research platform, used Market Cube to power the survey, which was conducted nationwide from April 9-11. The company received 30,173 and 6,090 online responses from the United States and the United Kingdom, respectively, from individuals aged 18 years and older.

SLIQ Spirited Ice now is available at select retailers nationwide, including Albertsons and Walmart. Crafted with elevated flavors to inspire good times, SLIQ Spirited Ice’s three core products — Vodka, Agave and Rum — offer classic flavors such as Vodka Lemonade, Vodka Blue Raspberry, Rum Strawberry Daiquiri, Rum Coconut & Lime Daiquiri, Agave Classic Margarita and Agave Strawberry Margarita with a sophisticated, modern twist. Each 8 percent alcohol-by-volume freezer pop has fewer than 100 calories, and are gluten free, vegan, kosher, and come in a portion controlled single-serve packaging. Additionally, the company has partnered with international recycling leader TerraCycle, as part of its SLIQ Recycling Program. Consumers can send in all empty SLIQ Spirited Ice plastic tubes to TerraCycle to be recycled in exchange for rewards to charities of their choice.

A little bit of ice is nice

Three-time Olympic Gold Medalist Gabby Douglas recently teamed up with Sparkling Ice, a brand of Talking Rain Beverage Co., to honor America’s unsung heroes through their second annual Cheers to Heroes program. Through May 31, consumers can nominate a “hero” in their life who has made a difference for their community. The winning hero will win a grand prize of $10,000, and the nominator can win $500. In addition to the $10,000 grand prize, nominees will have a chance to win first-, second- and third-place prizes valued at $7,500, $5,000, and $500, respectively. Because the contest received more than 3,000 inspiring and heartwarming nominations last year, the brand plans to award 300 nominees with the third place, $500 cash prize as a way to further celebrate and thank the heroes for their community service. Once the Sparkling Ice brand identifies the top three submissions, fans will be able to vote for their favorite throughout the month of July on the Sparkling Ice Rewards website, www.sparklingice.com. The grand-prize winner will be announced Aug. 13. In a statement, Douglas said: “Being an athlete has allowed me to become a role model and hero for many people, which I am forever grateful for. Through the Sparkling Ice Cheers to Heroes campaign, it’s now America’s turn to honor our own by celebrating and championing their hard work, drive and determination. I’m looking forward to hearing all of the amazing stories about the heroes in your lives.” To submit your unsung hero, visit www.sparklingicerewards.com/cheerstoheroes.

Unsung Heroes