Pernod Ricard USA Appoints Kristen Colonna As Vice President of Marketing Enablement

New York, NY – March 9 2021 – Pernod Ricard USA, the U.S. unit of the world's second largest spirits and wine company, announced today the appointment of Kristen Colonna as Vice President of Marketing Enablement.

In her new role, Colonna will be responsible for leading the multidisciplinary, Center of Excellence that will enable Pernod Ricard USA’s marketing, sales, and commercialization functions to drive forward the success of the company.

Reporting directly to Chief Marketing Officer Pam Forbus, Colonna joins the Pernod Ricard USA team with over 15 years of experience in business, marketing, and communications. She will be based in the New York City office.

“I am thrilled to welcome Kristen to the Pernod Ricard North America team as we drive to continue to generate sustainable growth,” said Forbus. “Her extensive background and understanding of the marketing industry is unmatched, and undoubtedly will help us respond to the demands of today’s consumers.”

Most recently, Colonna served as Chief Strategy Officer for OMD North America, where she was responsible for leading the Strategic Planning and Integrated Media Planning Practice, as well as developing global agency products to enable the delivery of data-driven and consumer centric marketing. Among her impressive list of accomplishments is winning the Cannes Gold Lions and Effie Media Innovation awards. 

“I look forward to joining Pernod Ricard and leading the marketing efforts alongside Pam and her team for these dynamic brands,” said Colonna. “I am inspired by Pernod Ricard’s mission and all their recent campaigns, and I’m honored to work with an amazing group of experts to further strengthen the company’s ability to engage the hearts and minds of consumers.”

Colonna’s team will be tasked with increasing conversion and further accelerating growth by delivering demand-driven, precision media targeting through real-time, dynamic content; custom, personalized experiences at scale; and leveraging omnichannel media approaches.

Pernod Ricard also appointed Craig Johnson, a 17-year Pernod Ricard veteran, to a Vice President of Brand Marketing role, and Brian Mequet, a 12-year veteran, to Vice President of Commercial Marketing. Craig returns to PR USA from his current role as VP, Marketing, Pernod Ricard Global Travel Retail. He joined PR USA in 2004 as a Brand Director, was promoted to a VP, Spirits Marketing Role in 2010, and in 2013 joined The Absolut Company, where he held several progressively responsible Marketing leadership roles, including VP, Global Marketing for Absolut. Brian joined PR USA in 2008 after 18 years in sales and marketing with Anheuser-Busch and Miller Brewing.  He held Division and PR USA headquarters marketing roles before being named GM, California in 2016. Both Craig and Brian will relocate to the New York City office once it is deemed safe by officials to co-work again.

For more information about Pernod Ricard USA, visit: https://www.pernod-ricard-usa.com/.

About Pernod Ricard

Pernod Ricard is the No. 2 worldwide producer of wines and spirits with consolidated sales of €9,182 million in FY19. Created in 1975 by the merger of Ricard and Pernod, the Group has developed through organic growth and acquisitions: Seagram (2001), Allied Domecq (2005) and Vin&Sprit (2008). Pernod Ricard, which owns 16 of the Top 100 Spirits Brands, holds one of the most prestigious and comprehensive brand portfolios in the industry, including: Absolut Vodka, Ricard pastis, Ballantine’s, Chivas Regal, Royal Salute, and The Glenlivet Scotch whiskies, Jameson Irish whiskey, Martell cognac, Havana Club rum, Beefeater gin, Malibu liqueur, Mumm and Perrier-Jouët champagnes, as well Jacob’s Creek, Brancott Estate, Campo Viejo, and Kenwood wines. Pernod Ricard’s brands are distributed across 160+ markets and by its own salesforce in 73 markets. The Group’s decentralised organisation empowers its 19,000 employees to be true on-the-ground ambassadors of its vision of “Créateurs de Convivialité.” As reaffirmed by the Group’s three-year strategic plan, “Transform and Accelerate,” deployed in 2018, Pernod Ricard’s strategy focuses on investing in long-term, profitable growth for all stakeholders. The Group remains true to its three founding values: entrepreneurial spirit, mutual trust, and a strong sense of ethics. As illustrated by the 2030 Agenda supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), “We bring good times from a good place.” In recognition of Pernod Ricard’s strong commitment to sustainable development and responsible consumption, it has received a Gold rating from Ecovadis and is ranked No. 1 in the beverage sector in Vigeo Eiris. Pernod Ricard is also a United Nation’s Global Compact LEAD company. Pernod Ricard is listed on Euronext (Ticker: RI; ISIN Code: FR0000120693) and is part of the CAC 40 index. For further information, please visit http://www.pernod-ricard.com.