HM King Charles Celebratory Portrait & Whisky
With the second KCIII Portrait & "Blend of 75" to be auctioned or gallery sold for the benefit of Big Change, a charity founded in2012 by Princess Beatrice, Holly and Sam Branson, Mercury worked to announce the project to build awareness and attract potential buyers.
The artwork and bottle was displayed at Wilton's Restaurant, St James’s and then at Sladmore Gallery Ltd over the summer.
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6470c7991806d6eb7923196d/667447f314e95915626f252f_The%20KCIII%20Portrait%20by%20Mark%20Evans%2C%20Courtesy%20the%20artist%201-min-min.jpg)
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6470c7991806d6eb7923196d/667447019b3bb7973d5511de_THE%20KCIII%20BLEND%20of%2075%2C%20The%20Last%20Drop%20Distillers%203.jpg)
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6470c7991806d6eb7923196d/6674470a408d89f0fb7c83fa_The%20KCIII%20Portrait%20by%20Mark%20Evans%20at%20Wiltons%2C%20photo%20%20Sam%20Churchill-5-min.jpg)
Impact
- Through strategic pitching, Mercury achieved articles across multiple sectors, highlighting the different aspects to the project
- Publications included: Elite Traveler; Luxurious Magazine The Luxe Review; Bottle Raiders; The Three Drinkers and Decanter
Approach
Liaising with The Last Drop Distillers’ press team, the artist,restaurant and gallery, Mercury collated all necessary facts, press materials and imagery and created a nuanced press release. With the conservative combined market value of the portrait and bottle of whisky estimated at $600,000 USD /£471,600 GBP, media targets included those across art, beverage, luxury lifestyle and royal sectors. With tailored pitches and telephone outreach Mercury shared the announcement, leveraging the timely Trooping the Colour to secure coverage.
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6470c7991806d6eb7923196d/6674471514e95915626e3840_The%20KCIII%20Portrait%20by%20Mark%20Evans%20at%20Wiltons%2C%20photo%20%20Sam%20Churchill-6.jpg)