BRAND CAMPAIGNS

Johnnie keeps on walking – but now it’s towards self-expression

By our African Marketing Confederation News Team | 2025

Latest version of the whisky brand’s iconic campaign has just launched in the North American market and will roll out globally in 2026.

‘Keep Walking’ has powered Johnnie Walker for more than two decades. But now the venerable gentleman and lover of whisky is walking in a slightly different direction – towards self-expression, personal achievement and fulfilment.

Photo: Diageo

The latest adaptation of the brand’s iconic advertising and marketing campaign has just debuted in the North American market and is to be rolled out globally in 2026 across streaming, digital, paid social, and out-of-home channels. 

 

A brand film released this week “celebrates inspiring personal journeys of progress shaping culture and invites a new generation of whisky drinkers to find meaning in the everyday moments that move them forward, while also strengthening the brand’s connection with those who have long shared in its spirit of progress”, Johnny Walker explains in a media statement. 

 

The refreshed Keep Walking campaign centres on the power of the word ‘keep’ – a call for steady momentum and personal perseverance rooted in aspiration. 

 

Six core themes gleaned from social listening 

 

According to the brand, it conducted extensive global social listening over the past year around the idea of ‘keep’, and six core themes emerged: motivation, action, communication, emotion, success and identity. 

 

Driven by these themes, the creative celebrates the everyday ‘keeps’ that define personal progress, from ‘keep playing’ and ‘keep dreaming’ to ‘keep trusting’ and ‘keep searching’. 

 

“Today, people define progress on their own terms. This campaign reflects that shift and gives ‘Keep Walking’ new meaning for a new generation,” explains John Williams, Global Head of Whisk(e)y at Diageo. 

 

“By tapping into the emotional language of contemporary culture and celebrating the many ways people progress in their daily lives, we are strengthening the brand’s connection with drinkers globally and setting the foundation for the next era of progress.” 

 

The campaign debuts with a 30-second hero film which captures the emotional truth that progress is rarely linear but always personal. 

 

It launches during a high-energy moment for the brand as Johnnie Walker expands its presence across music, fashion and sports – which are critical cultural spaces driving whisky recruitment and relevance among younger consumers. 

 

You can find out more about the new campaign here. 

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Jason Lottering
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    Dr Kin Kariisa

    Group CEO - Next Media

    Dr. Kin Kariisa is an extraordinary force at the helm of Next Media Services, a conglomerate encompassing NBS TV, Nile Post, Sanyuka TV, Next Radio, Salam TV, Next Communication, Next Productions, and an array of other influential enterprises. His dynamic role as Chief Executive Officer exemplifies his unwavering commitment to shaping media, business, and community landscapes.
    With an esteemed academic journey, Dr. Kariisa’s accolades include an Honorary PhD in exemplary community service from the United Graduate College inTexas, an MBA from United States International University in Nairobi, Kenya, a Master’s degree in Computer Engineering from Huazong University in China, and a Bachelor’s degree in Statistics from Makerere University.
    Dr. Kariisa pursued PhD research in Computer Security and Identity Management at Security of Systems Group, Radboud University in Nijmegen, Netherlands. As a dynamic educator, he has shared his expertise as a lecturer of e-Government and Information Security at both Makerere University and Radboud University.

    Dr Kin did his PhD research in Computer Security and Identity Management at Security of Systems Group, Radbond University in Nigmegen, Netherlands. He previously served as a lecturer of e-Government and Information Security at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda and Radbond University in Netherlands.

    Dr Kin did his postgraduate courses in Strategic Business Management, Strategic Leadership Communication and Strategies for Leading Successful Change Initiatives at Harvard University, Boston USA.

    • Other current and previous roles played by Dr Kin Kariisa:
    • Lecturer of e-Government and Information Security to graduate students at Makerere University, Kampala and Radbond University in the Netherlands
    • Director of Eco Bank Uganda Limited, one of the largest banks in Africa
    • Chairman of the National Association of Broadcasters, an umbrella industry association for all Television, Radio and online broadcasters in Uganda.
    • Chairman of Board of Directors of Nile Hotel International, that owns the leading hotel in Uganda, Kampala Serena Hotel.
    • Chairman of Board of Directors of Soliton Telmec Uganda, the leading telecom company in Optic fibre business managing over 80% of optic fibre in Uganda.