April 7/M2 EquityBites -- Pernod Ricard announced five new appointments, effective July 1, 2009.

Philippe Dreano has been named as chairman and chief executive officer of Pernod Ricard Americas. In his new role, Dreano will cover all theAmericas. He will report to Michel Bord, Pernod Ricard deputy managing director, Distribution Network, and will be based in New York.

Dreano is currently chairman and CEO of Pernod Ricard Asia, a position he has held since March 2000. Prior to that, he was chairman and CEO of Pernod Ricard Japan. Before that, he was MD of Perithai (Pernod Ricard Thailand) and earlier was Area Export Director at Pernod International. He joined the group in May 1989.

Also, Pierre Coppere is appointed as chairman and CEO of Pernod Ricard Asia, in place of Dreano. In his new role Coppere, who is currently chairman and CEO of Pernod, will cover all the Pernod Ricard Asian affiliates, he will report to Bord and will be based in Hong Kong.

Prior to his current role, Coppere was MD of Pernod Ricard Netherlands. Before that, he was MD of Pernod Ricard Austria and PRECO. Earlier, he was MD of Pernod Ricard South East Asia and of Perithai. He joined the group in 1979 at SEGM as area export manager.

In addition, Cesar Giron, currently chairman and CEO of Wyborowa, will replace Coppere as chairman and CEO of Pernod. In his new role, Giron will also report to Bord.

The company said that a replacement for Giront will be announced at a later date.

Giron joined the group in 1987. Prior to his most recent position, he was MD of Perisem (Pernod Ricard Swiss) and, before that, was commercial director Bisquit at Renault Bisquit. Earlier, he was commercial director of PRACSA and the MD of Perising in Singapore.

Further, Philippe Guettat, currently managing director of Pernod Ricard China, has been named as chairman and CEO of The Absolut Company.

Guettat will be a member of the Pernod Ricard executive committee and will report to Thierry Billot, deputy MD of Pernod Ricard in charge of Brands. He will be based in Stockholm.

Guettat, prior to his present position, was Marketing & International director of Pernod SA. Before that, he was MD of Pernod Ricard Hong Kong. Earlier, he was sales and marketing director of Casella Far East Ltd. Hong Kong (Pernod Ricard Hong Kong). He joined the group in September 1991.

Finally, Con Constandis has been appointed as MD of Pernod Ricard China, in place of Guettat. Constandis will be a member of the Pernod Ricard Asia Management Team and will report to Coppere.

The company said that a replacement for Constandis will be announced at a later date. Constandis is currently chairman and CEO of Corby Distilleries (Canada), a position he has held since February 2007. Prior to that, he was with Allied Domecq Spirits North America were he successively as senior vice president Finance & Operations, SVP and commercial director in 2004 and COO in 2005.  

From the April 13, 2009, Prepared Foods E-dition