Smirnoff company news 
Comment - US Spirits to Show More Momentum for 2011
24 January 2012
We have yet to see the official figures on the US spirits market in 2011, but the signs suggest that renewed momentum in premium has been maintained.
US: Diageo shifting vodka focus to high-end
18 November 2011
Diageo has cut its focus on its lower priced vodka brands in the US, as it ramps up attention for the premium-and-above vodkas in its portfolio.
Comment - Spirits - Russian Vodka Needs its Own Red October
15 November 2011
A new generation of Russian vodka brands is struggling to get its voice heard, the moneyed Russian Standard aside. Richard Woodard thinks some collective bargaining might do the trick.
Product Launch - US: Diageo's Smirnoff Whipped Cream, Fluffed Marshmallow
10 November 2011
Diageo's Smirnoff Whipped Cream, Fluffed Marshmallow
Product Launch – EUROPE: Diageo's Smirnoff Mojito
31 October 2011
Product Launch – EUROPE: Diageo's Smirnoff Mojito
just On Call - Diageo "turning the corner" in Europe
28 October 2011
Diageo hopes to improve its sales performance in Europe this year by shifting more resources to fast-growth eastern markets and selling more super-premium spirits in western countries.
US: Remy Cointreau appoints CMO in US
27 October 2011
Rémy Cointreau has appointed Mark Breene as senior vice president and chief marketing officer of its US business.
UK: Diageo plays down vote on executive pay
21 October 2011
Diageo has said that it will bear in mind shareholder concerns over the company's executive pay plans, following a vote at its annual general meeting.
Comment - Pernod Ricard vs Diageo: Q1
20 October 2011
Pernod Ricard looks to have taken a narrow lead over Diageo in the first quarter of the two rivals' fiscal year, but there is still a lot left to play for.
GLOBAL: Diageo bolstered by Q1 sales rise
19 October 2011
Diageo narrowly beat its own guidance on net sales for the first quarter of its fiscal year, with all business regions reporting growth.
Research in Focus - 'The World’s Top Performing Spirits Brands' from The IWSR/just-drinks
19 October 2011
A new report incorporating the IWSR's spirits rankings and a just-drinks readership survey confirms Johnnie Walker’s status as the undisputed global brand leader in the spirits sector but also has some positive findings for brands such as Jack Daniel’s, Absolut and Captain Morgan.
The Wehring Interview - Diageo Asia Pacific president, Gilbert Ghostine - Part I
18 October 2011
This month, just-drinks returns to its two-part extended format for The Wehring Interview. Earlier this month, I enjoyed an hour in the company of Diageo's Asia Pacific president, Gilbert Ghostine. I say enjoyed; I wasn't at my best to start.
GLOBAL: Diageo, Pernod Ricard dominate list of world's top performing brands
17 October 2011
Diageo and Pernod Ricard have dominated an inaugural list of the world's top performing spirits brands.
UK: Diageo gives pre-mix stable push in UK
13 October 2011
The UK arm of Diageo has launched a consumer campaign for its pre-mix range in the country.
TRAVEL RETAIL: Diageo to launch city-themed Smirnoff bottles
4 October 2011
Diageo has lined up four limited edition bottlings for Smirnoff, highlighting the vodka brand's nightlife-related global consumer campaign.
The Future for Drinks - Part III: Emerging Markets Develop Expensive Tastes
29 September 2011
The penultimate part of this month's management briefing considers the emerging markets, and the position they will take in the future of our industry.
Product Launch - TRAVEL RETAIL: Diageo's Smirnoff Gold Collection
22 September 2011
Diageo's Smirnoff Gold Collection
GLOBAL: Diageo, Facebook team up in multi-million dollar deal
19 September 2011
Diageo has announced a multi-million dollar marketing tie-up with Facebook, with a particular focus on emerging markets in Southeast Asia and Brazil.
UK: Britvic appoints ex-Diageo executive to MD role
19 September 2011
Ex-Diageo executive Simon Litherland is to join Britvic in the newly-created role of UK managing director.
INDIA: Diageo silent on Indian whisk(e)y move
7 September 2011
Diageo has declined to comment on a report out of India that says the drinks giant will re-enter the market for domestically-produced whisk(e)y in order to boost scale in the country.
Comment - Diageo versus Pernod Ricard
2 September 2011
Diageo and Pernod Ricard have both produced spirited full-year results, so is there anything to choose between them?
just On Call - Interview: Diageo CEO Paul Walsh upbeat, cautious on Jim Beam
25 August 2011
Diageo's CEO has indicated to just-drinks that the group is unlikely to make an immediate move for Beam Global drinks brands once the US firm becomes a standalone spirits player.
GLOBAL: Market toasts Diageo on solid FY
25 August 2011
Diageo is bullish on sales and profits growth over the medium-term, after seeing emerging markets help to insulate the Smirnoff distiller from troubles in Europe in its most recent fiscal year.
TURKEY: Diageo completes Mey Icki purchase
24 August 2011
Diageo has succeeded in gaining a strong foothold in Turkey's emerging spirits market by completing a deal to acquire Mey Içki for US$2.1bn.
VIETNAM: Diageo raises stake in Hanoi Liquor Joint Stock Co
24 August 2011
Diageo has agreed deals to raise its stake in Vietnam's Hanoi Liquor Joint Stock Co to 30%, as part of its strategy to expand in fast-growing spirits markets.
GLOBAL: Diageo sees Smirnoff, Johnnie Walker shine in brand list - research
19 August 2011
Diageo is toasting the release of The IWSR’s Top 50 International Spirits Brands list, holding on to the top spot and boasting the largest grower in the top ten.
UK: Diageo distillery reopens after acid spill
17 August 2011
Diageo has restarted operations at its Cameronbridge distillery in Scotland, following an acid spill at the site.
TRAVEL RETAIL: Diageo shuffles exec pack
28 July 2011
Diageo has appointed Steve White as its marketing director for Global Travel & Middle East, as part of several executive changes at the division.
Comment - Spirits - And, For the Lady?
21 July 2011
Ladies are all the rage in the drinks industry, it would appear. With product launches in beer, soft drinks and spirits targetting the fairer sex, it would appear that the female of the species is in the spotlight. But, Richard Woodard is unimpressed - and he's got Diageo in his crosshairs.
Related research
Premixed Smirnoff Vodka and Cola: Propelling Premix Spirits into the Mainstream
Although the UK RTD (ready to drink) sector is in long-term decline, Diageo has been innovating with a new range of canned premixed ready to drink spirit and mixer serves. Convenience is not as big a consumer pull in alcohol as in other, non alcoholic beverages where ready to drink formats are standard. Having originally helped to mainstream the RTD segment with its Smirnoff Ice brand, Diageo is now leading the emerging premixed ready to drink spirits sub-segment in the UK. This case study highlights strategic strengths and examines the extent to which it meets the needs of consumers and the competitive environment.
Premixed Smirnoff Vodka and Cola Case Study: Propelling Premix Spirits into the Mainstream
Although the UK RTD (ready to drink) sector is in long-term decline, Diageo has been innovating with a new range of canned premixed ready to drink spirit and mixer serves.
Rtds/high-strength Premixes - Greece
RTDs/High-strength premixes was the most dynamic category in terms of new product launches, with both leading players Diageo Hellas and Bacardi expanding their portfolios. New launches were in line with the trend towards cocktails, since they are predominantly based on popular cocktail recipes (Bacardi Mojito, Smirnoff Caipiroska, Smirnoff Cosmopolitan, Smirnoff Mojito) and focused exclusively in the off-trade, given that in the current economic environment the on-trade channel is facing sharp...
