Press Release Archives
Paul Duffy Appointed Chairman and CEO of Pernod Ricard USA
Alain Barbet Promoted to Chairman and CEO of Pernod Ricard Americas
PURCHASE, N.Y., June 27, 2008 – Pernod Ricard USA, a leader in spirits and wine, today announced the appointment of Paul Duffy as Chairman and CEO. He replaces Alain Barbet, who has been promoted to Chairman and CEO of Pernod Ricard Americas. Both appointments were made by the Group Executive Committee of parent company Pernod Ricard SA and are effective July 1, 2008.
Duffy, 42, most recently was CEO and Chairman of the Pernod Ricard brand-owning company Irish Distillers, where he has overseen the successful development of the Irish business and of Jameson® Irish Whiskey as one of the world’s fastest growing whiskey brands. He joined Pernod Ricard in 1994 and brings the relevant skills and track record to lead Pernod Ricard USA into its next phase of growth, following the recent acquisition of Vin & Sprit, including its iconic Absolut® vodka brand. Duffy will be based in Purchase, New York.
As Chairman and CEO of Pernod Ricard Americas, Barbet, 50, will be responsible for all of Pernod Ricard’s distributing companies in both North America and South America. Barbet joined Pernod Ricard in 1999, and his deep industry knowledge and experience will position him for success in his new role. Since assuming the leadership of Pernod Ricard USA in 2005, Barbet led the successful post-acquisition integration of the former Allied Domecq brands and employees and, during this time, Pernod Ricard USA spirits and wines recorded accelerated growth, with many brands outperforming their categories.
Barbet will be based in Montreal, Canada. He replaces Michel Bord, who has been named Deputy Managing Director, Pernod Ricard SA, in charge of the company’s global distribution network.
Pernod Ricard USA urges all adults to accept responsibility when considering consuming alcoholic beverages. For more information, please visit: http://www.acceptresponsibility.org.
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About Pernod Ricard USA
Pernod Ricard USA, based in Purchase, N.Y., is a leading producer, importer and marketer of prized spirits and wine brands in the United States and is one of the fastest growing subsidiaries of the world’s #2 spirits company and #4 wine company, Paris, France-based Pernod Ricard, S.A. The completion of Pernod Ricard’s acquisition of Allied Domecq in 2005 vaulted Pernod Ricard USA to the forefront of the U.S. spirits market, doubling the company’s sales value and market share. The company is now the third largest in the U.S. spirits industry by sales value and the fifth largest by sales volume in the U.S.
Pernod Ricard USA's leading brands include Kahlúa® Liqueur, Chivas Regal® Scotch Whisky, Seagram's Extra Dry Gin®, Malibu® flavored Rum, Stolichnaya® Vodkas, Jameson® Irish Whiskey, The Glenlivet® Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Wild Turkey® Bourbon, Beefeater® Gin, Hiram Walker® Liqueurs and Martell™ Cognac, as well as Jacob's Creek® and Brancott Estate® wines, Perrier-Jouët® Champagne, GH Mumm® Champagne and Mumm Napa® wines, and Pernod® and Ricard® Liquors.
Biographies:
Paul Duffy, 42, BBS Trinity College, FCA, joined Pernod Ricard as Assistant Finance Director Treasury / Planning of Irish Distillers Limited. In January 1996, he was appointed Financial Controller Irish Distillers Group, and became its Finance Director in March 1997. In January 2001 he was appointed Chairman & CEO of Pernod Ricard UK. Since May 2005, Paul has been Chairman & CEO of Irish Distillers Group.
Alain Barbet, 50, has a diploma from the ESSEC Business School, and has followed the Senior Executive Program of Columbia University. He entered the Group in 1999 in the Financial Department of Austin Nichols, today Pernod Ricard USA, becoming its Financial Director, and subsequently was named Finance Director, Pernod Ricard North America. He was appointed President and Chief Operating Officer of Pernod Ricard USA in 2005, and was named Chief Executive Officer in 2006.
Michel Bord, 56, joined Pernod Ricard in 1991 as Managing Director of PRACSA (subsidiary of the company in Spain) after having held various managing positions at Seagram. He was appointed Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Pernod Ricard USA in October 1996 before becoming Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Pernod Ricard North America. Since January 2006, he has been Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Pernod Ricard Americas.