Over the last 12 months, we’ve sat down with senior executives at some of the largest companies – and some of the most interesting up-and-coming firms – in the drinks industry to hear how they have been trading in what has been a challenging year.
Here we present the ten most popular interviews, with our audience keen to hear more about how their peers (and rivals) were grappling with some of the big issues in the sector – from the rise of non-alcoholic alternatives, to falling sales in the US spirits category and to how to put AI to best use.
“It’s the same challenge. It’s just taking a little longer to crack it” – Bacardi on navigating alcohol-free in the spirits sector
In February, Bacardi’s Marine Rozenfeld discussed on-premise interest in alcohol-free spirits but explained why patience was key to creating a strong low-and-no product.
Draught can be “big unlocker” for alcohol-free beer – Heineken on the obstacles in the on-premise
A month later, Heineken’s Karlijn Van Ruiten spoke to Just Drinks about the brewer’s plans to innovate in non-alcoholic beer.
“There will be some consolidation” – Campari Group on the outlook for non-alcoholic spirits
And, underlining your interest in how the industry’s majors were trying to tap into interest in non-alcoholic alternatives, our interview with Campari Group’s Julka Villa and the Italian group’s position in alcohol-free spirits rounded out the year’s top three.
“Demand is becoming more diverse” – Asahi CEO Atsushi Katsuki on US expansion, outlook for no-and-low beer and ESG
In October, Just Drinks met Asahi Group Holdings CEO Atsushi Katsuki in London to discuss the drinks giant’s recent moves in the US and his outlook for global beer.
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“Do you remove people who are being more and more efficient? No, you add to them” – Pernod Ricard’s chief digital officer on the added value of AI
The same month, we were in Paris to sit down with Pernod Ricard‘s chief digital officer Pierre-Yves Calloc’h to find out more about the Beefeater maker’s use of AI across the business.
“There’s willingness from consumers to go back to trustworthy brands” – Stock Spirits on “dynamism” in mainstream spirits
In March, CEO Jean-Christophe Coutures discussed Stock Spirits’ growth strategy against a backdrop of uncertain consumer confidence.
“Spirits has had a bit of a mean reversion. We’re very optimistic” – Bardstown Bourbon Co. talks the US distiller’s prospects for growth
May saw Pete Marino, Bardstown Bourbon Co.’s new president, set out his plans for the US whiskey contract distiller and brand owner.
“On the spirits side, the importance of us delivering growth is critical” – Diageo on global innovation strategies
A month later, Just Drinks sat down with Diageo‘s chief innovation officer Mark Sandys, who said a key goal for the business was for its innovation to help the company achieve “distinctive growth”.
“I think they just lost sight of some of the basics” – Jones Soda CEO David Knight on rejuvenating US soda business
In February, then Jones Soda CEO David Knight discussed the US group’s bid to grow sales and return to profitability. By October, he had left the business after not much more than a year at the helm.
“I can leverage those folks looking for volume” – Liquid Death on co-packing benefits in a “soft” US market
And, completing the top ten, is our interview in August with Liquid Death CFO Karim Sadik-Khan on the canned water brand’s expansion plans and about growing in a challenging US market.
