PERNOD RICARD S A SP/ADR - PRNDY STOCK NEWS

Pernod Ricard has established a new unit, the American Whiskey Collective, to enhance the growth of its premium whiskey brands including Jefferson's, Rabbit Hole, Smooth Ambler, and TX Whiskeys. This initiative aims to accelerate Pernod Ricard's presence in both U.S. and global markets, capitalizing on the significant demand trend in American whiskey. The unit will be led by marketing veteran Craig Johnson and operations executive Jessica Chen, focusing on strategic development and leveraging the company's network for global expansion.

Redbreast Irish Whiskey, produced by Irish Distillers, introduces the Kentucky Oak Edition, the first in its dedicated American Oak series aimed at the U.S. market. This whiskey, crafted from malted and unmalted barley, is aged in a combination of American Oak Bourbon barrels and Spanish Oloroso sherry butts, then finished in PEFC certified oak from Kentucky. Bottled at 101 proof, it offers complex tasting notes, including cedarwood, vanilla, and spices. Available from June at a starting price of $95.99, it emphasizes the importance of sustainable practices in oak sourcing.

Pernod Ricard announces the launch of a digital label system aimed at enhancing consumer transparency regarding product content and health information. Set to begin with a European pilot in July 2022, the initiative will see QR codes on bottles providing essential details, including ingredient lists, health risks, and responsible drinking guidelines. The rollout is expected to reach a global scale by 2024. Chairman and CEO Alexandre Ricard emphasized the company's commitment to consumer-centric practices and responsible drinking.

Pernod Ricard announced the sale of its Tormore Scotch Whisky brand and distillery to Elixir Distillers, co-founded by Sukhinder and Rajbir Singh. Located in the Speyside region, Tormore has a production capacity of nearly 5 million liters annually. This partnership reflects a strong relationship, following Pernod Ricard's investment in its Aberlour and Miltonduff facilities which will boost Scotch production by 14 million liters. The deal is part of Pernod Ricard's strategy for active portfolio management and sustainable growth.

Pernod Ricard USA has announced partnerships with four marketing agencies—Casanova//McCann, CHÉ Creative, Titanium Worldwide LLC, and PLAN C Agency—to enhance representation of Black, AAPI, LGBTQ+, and Hispanic/Latino communities in its marketing. This initiative is part of the company's commitment to inclusive marketing, allocating at least 2% of media spending to Black-owned businesses. The partnerships aim to diversify communications across the brand portfolio, fostering authentic storytelling and community connection.

Pernod Ricard's annual Responsib’All Day on June 16 focuses on community engagement and environmental restoration. Employees worldwide will participate in various local projects, including tree planting and waste collection, aligning with the company’s Sustainability & Responsibility 2030 initiative. Chairman and CEO Alexandre Ricard emphasizes the importance of community and sustainable practices. The group's contributions include a €1 million donation to the UNHCR and support for employees during the pandemic. Pernod Ricard, a top wine and spirits producer, generated €8.8 billion in FY21.

On June 14, 2022, Malibu collaborated with country artist Jessie James Decker to launch the 'Secret Escapes' contest, allowing friends to win a $10,000 trip inspired by Decker's favorite U.S. cities. The campaign promotes the brand's positioning, urging consumers to effortlessly enjoy life with Malibu drinks. Entries are open until July 5, and winners will be announced mid-July. The campaign includes additional offerings like cocktail kits and a multi-sensory pop-up in New York City from June 16-18. The partnership emphasizes ease and enjoyment, key elements of the Malibu brand experience.

Irish Distillers plans to invest €50 million over the next four years to transform Midleton Distillery into a carbon-neutral operation by 2026. This investment marks the largest commitment by an Irish distillery toward carbon neutrality, positioning Midleton as the first and largest carbon-neutral distillery in Ireland. The project aims to eliminate scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions and will utilize innovative technologies like Mechanical Vapor Recompression (MVR) to reduce emissions by up to 70%. The initiative aligns with Pernod Ricard's broader sustainability goals.

Pernod Ricard held its Capital Markets Day on June 8, 2022, in Paris, showcasing its Conviviality Platform. CEO Alexandre Ricard emphasized leveraging data to enhance the company's sustainable growth. The platform aims for a +4 to +7% annual topline growth, focusing on pricing, operational efficiency, and substantial A&P investments at around 16% of sales. The company confirmed its financial policy priorities, targeting operating leverage of 50-60 bps annually, contingent on maintaining topline growth.