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Thanks to James Murdoch’s appreciation of the sweet, smooth taste of Maker’s Mark bourbon whisky, Maker’s + the Machine was invited to serve up some scrumptious bourbon cocktails at News International’s Christmas party last week – and what a response it received! Held in the former printing press hall at News International’s impressive site in Wapping, this was a Christmas spectacular like no other. Come 6pm, 3,000 movers and shakers in the media world poured into the hangar, all moving between four extravagantly-themed zones, each devoted to News International’s papers: The Sunday Times, The Times, News of The World and The Sun.

The News of the World area was themed around a pub called the ‘Crooked Cricketers’, displaying huge posters dedicated to the year’s best selling front covers. A Bedouin theme permeated The Sun’s room, with Moroccan floor cushions and incense infusions creating a laid-back mood not usually associated with the sensationalist tabloid, whilst The Times’ colonial club feel provided a successful antidote to the flashing dance floor and decisive beats of the nightclub next door.

The atmosphere was electric as, nestled in the Sunday Times cocktail bar and piano room, Maker’s + the Machine offered up its selection of chilled cocktails to party guests. The delight the Focus PR team takes in the shock on people’s faces when a hand pops out of the vending machine dispenser with a drink (see past blogs if you have no idea what I’m talking about!) will never wane – and when James Murdoch is on the receiving end the enjoyment is that much greater. Thankfully this is the kind of vending machine which will allow for a drink to be returned in order to make it a double!

As guests thronged to entertainment acts such as Westlife and X Factor’s Shayne Ward, and new Maker’s Mark fans were born, there was no doubt that the overwhelming mood of austerity which has pervaded recent years was firmly forgotten, even if just for one night.