El grupo Pernod Ricard has wanted to reinvent the experience of cocktails with the creation of a prototype of ‘portable bar’ that allows these mixes to be prepared digitally in order to bring the experience closer to consumers. Under the name of “Gutenberg Project ” , the Group has made this new idea known during the celebration of the Innovation Day in order to explain the objectives of the same first-hand. Conceived and developed by Breakthrough Innovation Group (BIG), a Group start-up that deals with cutting-edge innovation issues, to anticipate and invent actions on the future of the industry; Project Gutenberg is revolutionizing the concept of “Home bar”.
It is a design similar to that of a design bookstore, made up of ‘container books’ each containing a spirit, all connected to a service platform: from home delivery, automatically activated depending on the level of the container to a complete mixology guide (cocktails, recipes, personalized offers, etc.). The Gutemberg Project redefines cocktail culture and makes it a more accessible and comprehensive experience. Creating and inventing cocktails for friends is now more intuitive and entertaining.
“The Gutenberg Project is a sample of our commitment to the future since it is an experience based on connection, fun, it is tailored to each one, and so on. We are still in a very early phase of this project, but the potential of the products used, the services, the personalized offers and the experiences it offers are endless ”, said the General Director of BIG, Alain Dufossé.
Innovation has been a central focus of Pernod Ricard’s strategy for almost four years. It currently has more than 350 projects in the development phase and represents almost 25% of the internal growth in turnover. Innovation at Pernod Ricard is applied to all areas: products, services, experiences, consumer habits, technologies and industrial processes with the aim of creating value by serving the historic ‘premiumization’ strategy developed by the Group.
In the company, innovation is based on a true creative ecosystem aimed at achieving one goal: to become a leader in its sector by challenging the established and anticipating changes to rewrite the codes of its environment. For this it has the aforementioned The Breakthrough Innovation Group (BIG); The Kangaroo Fund, an internal investment fund whose purpose is to give Group employees the opportunity to develop their own ideas; PR Chatter, a company social network focused on innovation; and a Research Center and a community of innovation leaders.
Pernod Ricard is one of the main wine and spirits operators in the world, with a consolidated turnover of € 8.575 million in 2012/13. It has 19.000 employees and is supported by a decentralized organization, made up of 6 ‘Brand Companies’ and 80 ‘Market Companies’ present in each key market. Among its portfolio of brands, stand out the vodka ‘Absolut’, the pastis’ Ricard ‘, the scotch whiskeys’ Ballantine’s’,’ Chivas Regal ‘,’ Royal Salute ‘and’ The Glenlivet ‘, the whiskey’ Jameson ‘, the cognac’ Martell ‘,’ Havana Club ‘rum,’ Beefeater ‘gin,’ Kahlúa ‘and’ Malibu ‘liqueurs,’ Mumm ‘and’ Perrier-Jouët ‘champagnes or’ Jacob’s Creek ‘,’ Brancott Estate ‘wines, ‘Campo Viejo’ and ‘Graffigna’