As 2023 draws to a close, here’s a look back at some of the high-profile interviews published on Global Drinks Intel throughout the year.

New York-based Stephen Rannekleiv joined Rabobank in 2006, moving up to specialise in beverages seven years ago. His time not only with the financial services provider but also covering the alcohol industry means that when he talks, we should all listen.

In late October, Carlsberg reported a near-6% increase in sales from the three months to the end of September, contributing to a +9.2% top-line performance in the year-to-date. Following the announcement, Global Drinks Intel secured five minutes with new CEO Jacob Aarup-Andersen.

Back in March, Brown-Forman’s global travel retail team headed to Singapore for this year’s TFWA Asia Pacific Exhibition & Conference. Division MD David Rodiek and global emerging brands MD Philip Epps found time to update Global Drinks Intel on the current and future prospects for the brand owner in GTR.

Back in January, figures released by trade association Wines of South Africa showed single-digit declines in wine exports from the country in both value and volume terms. Global Drinks Intel dug further into the numbers with WoSA chief executive Siobhan Thompson.

To mark World Water Week in August, Global Drinks Intel sat down with Michael Alexander, the head of water, environment & agriculture sustainability at Diageo.

Global Drinks Intel sat down for an exclusive one-to-one with the CEO of Pernod Ricard’s Havana Club International business, Christian Barré. Over the course of an hour, Barré shared his views on Havana Club’s movement further up the price ladder, the recent flurry of M&A activity in the segment and the prospects for the rum category as a whole.

Rewind to July and Beam Suntory confirmed a change of CEO later in the year as Albert Baladi brought his leadership of the Jim Beam brand owner to an end. Speaking exclusively to Global Drinks Intel, Baladi told the story of his time at the top.

Henkell Freixenet, the world’s largest sparkling wine company, posted record full-year sales for 2022 in May. Around the same time, Global Drinks Intel sat down with CEO Andreas Brokemper to hear more not only about last year’s performance but also about how the merger between Henkell & Co and Freixenet has been working out, five years on.

- “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars” – Rémy Cointreau CEO Eric Vallat
In October, Global Drinks Intel caught up with Rémy Cointreau’s CEO, Eric Vallat, at the TFWA World Exhibition & Conference in Cannes. During our time together, we heard more about the trials and tribulations that come with assuming the helm as a global pandemic looms on the horizon.

Campari Group commenced preparations in September for the departure of CEO Bob Kunze-Concewitz – the latest company to bid farewell to its head this year, alongside Beam Suntory, Carlsberg, Diageo and Stoli Group. Global Drinks Intel quizzed Kunze-Concewitz to learn more.
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