Diageo buoyed by Guinness growth

Diageo today said high-profile advertising helped Guinness perform strongly in the last year, as the drinks firm delivered underlying profits growth of 9%.

The maker of Johnnie Walker whisky and Smirnoff vodka said sales of Latin American scotch and beer in Africa were the main growth drivers during the year to June 30, compensating for more sluggish performance in the US and Europe.