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Tag: absolut

  • Global FMCG Brands Reshape Experiential Deals Across Asia-Pacific

    Global FMCG Brands Reshape Experiential Deals Across Asia-Pacific

    Global consumer goods manufacturers are restructuring major event partnerships across Asia-Pacific, shifting capital into high-traffic sports and cultural fixtures that drive direct product trial.

    Treasury Wine Estates flagship label Penfolds took an event supporter role at the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park in March 2026. The four-day motorsport contract replaced its five-year tenure at the Melbourne Cup carnival, aligning the label with international broadcast reach during the 75th anniversary of its Grange vintage.

    On-Ground Services and Market Reach

    Consumer goods conglomerate Procter & Gamble expanded its multi-market Olympic platform to integrate retail campaigns directly with athlete usage. During the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games, the company ran its Champions Clubhouse across the Milano and Cortina villages, servicing more than 3,500 athletes with grooming, hair care and recovery facilities.

    The group distributed product kits across 25 corporate labels, including SK-II, Head & Shoulders, Oral-B and Gillette Venus. That athlete-facing footprint converts into localized supermarket campaigns across the region, including an ongoing partnership with eight-time Olympic gold medallist Lisa Carrington in New Zealand.

    Community Anchors and High Volume

    Pernod Ricard brand Absolut continues to direct festival marketing toward high-throughput consumption formats. The spirits maker pairs rapid-service cocktail menus with cultural events, including its long-running alignment with the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras in Australia and massive activations at Coachella in North America.

    Alcohol and personal care groups across Asia-Pacific are increasingly moving away from passive perimeter signage. Instead, brand owners want dedicated on-premise pours and physical service lounges that put physical inventory straight into shoppers’ hands.

    Brand teams now face the next test of this experiential spending when race organizers release spectator attendance and paddock hospitality figures for the upcoming grand prix calendar.

  • Coca-Cola Unveils New Absolut Vodka & Sprite Fusion: A Game Changer in Australia’s Ready-to-Drink Market

    Coca-Cola Unveils New Absolut Vodka & Sprite Fusion: A Game Changer in Australia’s Ready-to-Drink Market

    Coca-Cola Australia has broadened its alcoholic ready-to-drink range with the introduction of mixed drinks featuring Absolut Vodka and Sprite.

    Varieties in the New Range

    The new product line includes two distinct variants: Absolut Vodka Mixed with Sprite and Absolut Vodka Mixed with Sprite Zero Sugar. Both the versions maintain a modest alcohol by volume (ABV) content of 5 per cent, offered in 330ml cans.

    Available Packaging Options

    Customers have the option to buy these beverages in 4-packs, 10-packs, or bulk 24-can cases. The range of packaging options caters to different customer needs, whether it’s for personal consumption or a social gathering.

    Developing a Premium, Refreshing RTD Option

    Matthias Blume, Vice President of ARTD at Coca-Cola Australia, spoke about the recent launch. He stated that the introduction of Absolut Vodka Mixed With Sprite is a fusion of two renowned brands, aiming to provide a high-quality, invigorating ready-to-drink option for consumers in Australia. He also emphasized that this product is a valuable addition to their expanding ARTD portfolio, as it mirrors the ongoing momentum of the category and responds to the increasing consumer demand.

    Notably, this isn’t Absolut Vodka’s first foray into creative flavor combinations. The brand had previously collaborated with Tabasco to introduce a spicy flavor variant to its range.

    Questions & Answers

    What are the two versions of the new product launched by Coca-Cola Australia?
    Absolut Vodka Mixed with Sprite and Absolut Vodka Mixed with Sprite Zero Sugar are the two versions introduced in the new range.

    What are the available packaging options for this new range?
    Consumers can purchase these beverages in 4-packs, 10-packs, or 24-can cases.

    What is the significance of this new product range according to Matthias Blume, VP ARTD at Coca-Cola Australia?
    Matthias Blume suggests that the introduction of Absolut Vodka Mixed With Sprite reflects not only the momentum of the category but also the increasing consumer demand. It is intended to provide a premium, refreshing ready-to-drink option for Australian consumers.

  • Pernod Ricard Asia troubles parent

    Pernod Ricard Asia troubles parent

    Despite difficulties in Asian travel retail, particularly in Korea, liquor supplier Pernod Ricard reports solid first-half 2015/2016 results totalling €5b ($5.7b) and organic growth of 3 per cent.

    It says the results represent a continued gradual improvement apart from difficulties for the Chivasbrand in the pernod Ricard Asia portfolio.

    There was a negative mix driven by geography – growth in India vs. a decline in China. Overall in Asia, the company had 5 per cent growth (or 4 per cent, taking into account the changing dates of the Chinese New Year) with double-digit growth in India. However, China declined by 2 per cent (down 8 per cent adjusting for Chinese New Year).

    “Our half-year results are solid, delivering a continued improvement in sales,” says chairman and CEO Alexandre Ricard. “Our strategy has remained consistent and is driving results, in particular in terms of innovation.”

    He says the company plans to continue improving its performance and will continue to support priority markets, brands and innovations.

    Pernod Ricard includes Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, The Philippines and Vietnam in its emerging markets, and lists its top 14 brands for organic growth as Absolut, Ballantine’s, Beefeater, Chivas Regal, Havana Club, Jameson, Kahlua, Malibu, Martell, Mumm, Perrier-Jouët, Ricard, Royal Salute and The Glenlivet.

    Formed in 1975 by the merger of Ricard and Pernod, the company has a workforce of about 18,000 people. Its decentralised organisation has six brand companies and 80 market companies in each key market.

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  • Pernod Ricard reports 3% first half organic growth

    Pernod Ricard reports 3% first half organic growth

    Pernod Ricard has delivered “solid” first half results as the spirits maker saw 3% organic sales growth in the six months to 31 December 2015.

    Sales totalled €4.96bn during the period which represented “gradual improvement” against the same period in 2014.

    Reported sales growth was 7%, boosted by the weakness of the euro compared to dollar and sterling revenues.

    Sales growth in the Americas was 4% compared to 2% growth a year ago and was largely driven by the US (3% up against flat growth last year).

    Europe saw a 1% sales improvement against flat sales in 14/15, with the growth driven by Spain and the UK, though there was decline in France and Russia.

    Results of the world was 5% ahead of last year, with double-digit growth in India, Africa/Middle East and Australia, but China fell by 2% and by 8% if adjusted for the earlier Chinese New Year.

    Pernod Ricard said it saw strong performance from Jameson, Martell, The Glenlivet, Perrier-Jouët, Mumm and Indian whiskies.

    However, performance was weaker for Chivas (due to Asia and travel retail) and Absolut (albeit amid improving underlying trends in the US).

    Alexandre Ricard, chairman and CEO said: “Our half year results are solid, delivering a continued improvement in Sales. Our strategy has remained consistent and is driving results, in particular in terms of innovation.

    “For full year FY15/16, in a still contrasted macroeconomic environment, we plan to continue improving our business performance year-on-year. We will continue to support priority markets, brands and innovations while focusing on operational excellence.”

    The company expects to deliver organic profit growth from recurring operations of between 1%-3%.

    Pernod Ricard shares fell 6.7% today to €92.89 on the continued weakness in China.

    Pernod Ricard has also instigated a number of organisational changes and a raft of job changes in its senior team effective from 1 July 2016.

    Firstly it is to simplify its Americas region to concentrate on its core business: the United States and Canada. Secondly, it will create two new management teams based around the lead countries of Mexico and Brazil in South America, reporting to Pernod Ricard EMEA. Thirdly, it has created the role of CEO, Global Travel Retail, which will be taken by Mohit Lal, currently MD of travel retail Asia.

    Job moves include Paul Duffy, currently chairman & CEO of The Absolut Company who will become CEO of Pernod Ricard North America, and is replaced at Absolut by Anna Malmhake, currently CEO of Irish Distillers.