Johnnie Walker, the world's most popular Scotch whisky, has changed his stride after 90 years. Moving now from left to right, instead of right to left, the company has also revamped the logo of the jacketed man with top hat and cane.

In a huge advertising campaign the company has undertaken a series of television, radio and print advertisements with the catch phrase "keep walking''.

According to local distributor, Trevor Nicholls of Burrows Lightbourn, Diageo, who own Johnnie Walker, decided it was time to make their logo more of an icon.

"We all know the golden arches and the swish,'' said Mr. Nicholls. "The company realises the importance of icons in making products readily recognisable to the public so they've updated the Johnnie Walker emblem and added the words `keep walking'.'' According to a release from the company, Johnnie Walker is the world's number one Scotch whisky with annual sales of 9.6 million litre cases.

The image was created by John Browne a popular cartoonist at the behest of Alexander Walker. Walker, grandson of the founder, Johnny Walker, sought an image that reminded him of his grandfather while depicting a sense of progress and strength of character.

Celebrating the change locally distributors Burrows Lightbourn are conducting a Christmas raffle the grand prize of which, not surprisingly, is a bottle of each of the types of Scotch whisky Johnnie Walker produces. With a value close to $300, the winner will receive four bottles of the booze.