Pernod Ricard S.A.

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Pernod Ricard S.A.
VW
Industry Tobacco, Foods & Drinks
Founded 1975
Headquarters Paris, France
Area Served Worldwide
Chairperson Danièle Ricard
CEO Pierre Pringuet
Deputy CEO and Director Alexandre Ricard
Products Distilled beverages
Market Value 30.911,2 m$
Employees 18,230
Website www.pernod-ricard.com


About Pernod Ricard S.A.

Pernod Ricard is a French company that produces distilled beverages and owns a wide variety of beverage brands worldwide. The two most popular anise drinks, Pernod Anise and Ricard Pastis, used to be big rivals in France, until the companies merged in 1975 and Pernod-Ricard was born. Aside from these two famous brands the company also produces several other types of pastis. Originally the Pernod Anise drink was known as absinthe, until that strong liquor drink was banned. Today Pernod-Ricard owns many different holdings, which it has acquired over the past few years. In 1993 Pernod-Ricard created Havana Club International in cooperation with Cuban companies. In 2001 it purchased parts of Seagram's Wines and Spirits business and in 2005 it acquired a British-based competitor, Allied Domecq plc. In 2008 Pernod Ricard bought V&S Group, a Swedish holding, known for its brand “Absolut Vodka”.

Engagement in Cultural Diplomacy

Social policy, environmental protection, entrepreneurial support and social sponsorship are very important factors for Pernod Ricard, even before “sustainable development” was an essential business practice. The company aspires to keep strong and stimulating ties with their partners and the local communities they cooperate with. Communication is very important for this. The company also believes that empowering its employees and investing in their personal development is the best way to make and keep the company sustainable.

Employment Policy

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is very important to Pernod Ricard. The Group stresses the importance of handling issues such as environmental protection, consumer protection, cultural awareness and respect for partners. The company aspires to educate all their employees in sustainability challenges and encourages them to engage in CSR actions. It promotes diversity and relationships based on mutual trust and respect. Pernod Ricard promotes innovation and sees creativity as an important impulse. The Group has built an innovation ecosystem which includes the Breakthrough Innovation Group (BIG) and the Kangaroo Fund. Both programs are innovative and disruptive creations. The Kangaroo Fund offers the opportunity to employees to become “Kan-Do Entrepreneurs” and offers money, expertise and coaching. Pernod Ricard’s claims to “put the power in our employees’ hands and asks them to innovate, take risks, deliver results and be trustworthy”.

Cultural Exchange Program

Pernod Ricard has a partnership with the Erasmus Student Network, ESN, that supports exchange students throughout Europe. Together they raise awareness about responsible drinking among European students. Student parties that promote responsible drinking earn the label "Responsible Party”. They also launched a smartphone application called “Responsible Party”, that makes it possible for students to control their alcohol rate by means of a calculator.

Education

International Internship Program

Pernod Ricard is ranked 2nd in the Happy Trainees survey as the best French company for internships and apprenticeships. Each year Pernod Ricard offers apprenticeships and internships in a wide range of functions. Young people can find a placement for 3 to 12 months in any of their different affiliates across the world.

Grants And Scholarships

Pernod Ricard offers a range of scholarships, some examples: Pernod Ricard has a partnership with the Appel association. Together they set up a training and support programme for young entrepreneurs in Vietnam. They award a three-year scholarship to 40 students to take a training course on business management. Irish Distillers funded a scholarship in 2013. The grant allowed two students to attend a four-year degree course at Dublin City University.

Cooperation with Universities

The Pernod Ricard University was created in 2011 for the Group’s talented and high potential employees. The programmes implemented diverse educational mechanisms. The University has three main objectives: (1) sharing knowledge and improving skills, (2) strengthening its Leadership model, (3) communicating the companies values and commitments. Pernod Ricard also has the Pernod Ricard Asia Regional Management Trainee Programme (RMTP). The program was developed to invest in young Asian talents and shape future leaders. The program is offered in Hong Kong, China, India, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Japan and Vietnam.

Notable Activities

Activities in the field of Humanitarian Aid

Although Pernod Ricard promotes conviviality, the company strongly discourages inappropriate or excessive drinking on both a global and local level. Pernod Ricard is committed to support and develop local communities with which they interact and engage with its business partners. Building sustainable win-win relationships is very important for Pernod Ricard. The company has very strong ties with local communities due to the diversity of its brands and its decentralised model. The company strives to enhance local economic development and improve social and sanitary conditions in the countries and local communities it operates. Pernod Ricard is driven by five main actions: (1) The company find it’s important to contribute to the development of the local communities and (2) share the diversity of the local cultures. (3) They promote entrepreneurship, also locally, as a way to create value and wealth. (4) They respect sustainable development principles and encourage their partners to do so too. (5) Finally Pernod Ricard means to create value and share it with business partners and shareholders.

Supporting Music and Visual Arts

In 2012 Pernod Absinthe, the first distilled absinthe on the market, partnered with Maison Kitsuné, a French electronic music and fashion label influenced by Japanese culture, to design limited edition bottles. Pernod attempted with this to become part of the creative industries again. The cooperation with Maison Kitsuné worked out very well, since it was based on shared values of ‘savoir-faire’ and heritage. In 2013 the cooperation culminated in the first spirit-inspired fashion collection. In 2014 the partnership was renewed, now focussing on Maison Kitsuné’s other side, namely the field of music. Entreprendre has been the magazine of Pernod Ricard’s culture for over 30 years. Now it is also available online, as an attempt to reach a much broader external audience. The magazine talks about the main issues related to Pernod Ricard and the wines and spirits industry. The magazine explores societal, behavioural, and urban changes that transform the way we see spirits. At the [Arts Décoratifs Arts Décoratifs] museum in Paris there was an exhibition celebrating Ricard and the company’s communications since 1932. The exhibition concerned the unique creative communication that contributed to building the company’s corporate image. The Pernod Ricard branch Havana Club International cooperated with Cuban cultural institutions during the 11th Havana Art Biennial. The Havana Art Biennial is a major artistic event in Latin America, the leading reference of visual expression from emerging countries.

Supporting Films Industry

Pernod Ricard uses film to promote its products. The Jameson First Shot, for example, is an international short film competition, that gives three candidates the chance to produce their own short film. Candidates are recruited in South Africa, Russia and the USA and get to work under the guidance of Kevin Spacey, Dana Brunetti and Uma Thurman. To promote the brand Kahlúa, and the popular “White Russian” cocktail made with the drink, the company worked together with Jeff Bridges. Together they released a short film inspired by the drink.

Supporting Sports

Ballantine launched an online golf club, Ballantine’s Golf Club, with the famous Ian Poulter as their captain. By becoming a member one gets the opportunity to explore golf events all around the world, through discussions, events, rewards and tournaments.

Further Information

Environmental protection has always been a part of Pernod Ricard. It is a priority in the companies corporate social responsibility policy. In 2006 a sustainable development charter was introduced. In 2013 it was updated to the Pernod Ricard Commitment to the Sustainable Development. Also in 2013 the Boards of Directors adopted a new Corporate Environmental Policy. Pernod Ricard also founded the Institut Océanographique Paul Ricard which hands out the Salins Foundation Prize for the protection of whales and other cetaceans in the Mediterranean.

External Links

Official Website