SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Beginning January 2012, Skyy Spirits, the wholly owned subsidiary of Davide Campari-Milano S.p.A. (Reuters CPRI.MI - Bloomberg CPR IM), will change its public identity in the US, Canada, and Puerto Rico to Campari America. This name change simultaneously aligns the company more closely with its Milan-headquartered parent corporation and its affiliates, collectively known as Gruppo Campari, and better reflects the full scale of San Francisco-based Campari America’s growing spirits portfolio.
“Even though our portfolio has grown over the past several years to include vodkas, rums, whiskies, tequilas, cordials and liqueurs, the Skyy Spirits company name was inherently associated with only one brand – SKYY® Vodka. We felt the time was right to make the switch to Campari America, further demonstrating the breadth and depth of our products, while at the same time more closely associating ourselves with the vast resources of our parent company,” said Gerry Ruvo, Campari America Chairman and CEO.
Campari America’s portfolio includes leading brands praised by bartenders, retailers, and consumers alike, such as the innovative SKYY Infusions® line of vodkas; award-winning Espolón® and Cabo Wabo® Tequilas; Wild Turkey® Straight Kentucky Bourbon and American Honey®; and, of course, the iconic Campari® and SKYY Vodka. The company is also the exclusive U.S. distributor of a diverse portfolio of whiskies, rums and liqueurs from Suntory, Morrison Bowmore Distillers, Berry Brothers & Rudd, and Compañía Licorera de Nicaragua.
Over the past 15 years, Gruppo Campari’s global reach has increased dramatically. Part of this growth has been fueled by both brand and company acquisitions in key markets, such as the purchase of Skyy Spirits, LLC in 2002 and the Wild Turkey brand and distillery in 2009. Currently, Gruppo Campari owns more than 45 brands which are distributed in over 190 countries worldwide and is the sixth-largest premium spirits company in the world.
“The North American market represents a great growth opportunity for Gruppo Campari, not only with our domestic products like our vodkas, tequilas and American whiskies, but also for our top performers from other territories, such as Campari and Glen Grant® Single Malt Scotch Whisky,” said Bob Kunze-Concewitz, CEO of Gruppo Campari. “While changing the name of our US, Canada, and Puerto Rico operation to Campari America strengthens the visibility of our global corporate brand, it also demonstrates to our important business partners the deep bench behind each and every one of our outstanding local employees.”
Continued Ruvo, “This name change marks the next chapter in our company’s evolution as we move from a small entrepreneurial organization to a member of a global organization that continues to make strategic moves and grow. Fortunately, we are able to retain our culture, our dynamic people, our powerful brands, and the performance-based mantra our customers have grown to expect.”
Rare Breed Distilling, the makers of Wild Turkey whiskies in Lawrenceburg, KY, will also be changing its public identity to Campari America as part of the rebranding effort. The production facility itself remains the Wild Turkey Distillery.
About Campari America
Campari America is a wholly owned subsidiary of Davide Campari-Milano S.p.A. (Reuters CPRI.MI - Bloomberg CPR IM), together with its affiliates Gruppo Campari. At the heart of Campari America are two legends in the American spirits industry. The first, Skyy Spirits, was founded in San Francisco back in 1992 by the entrepreneur who invented iconic SKYY Vodka. The second is the world-famous Wild Turkey Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, where they have been making the world’s finest whiskies since the 1800’s. Both companies were purchased by Davide Campari-Milano and together they form Campari America, which has built a portfolio unrivaled in its quality, innovation and style, making it a top choice among distributors, retailers and consumers. Campari America manages Gruppo Campari’s portfolio in the US with such leading brands as SKYY® Vodka, SKYY Infusions®, Campari®, Wild Turkey® Straight Kentucky Bourbon, American Honey®, Russell’s Reserve®, Glen Grant® Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Cabo Wabo® Tequila, Espolón® Tequila, Ouzo 12®, X-Rated® Fusion Liqueur®, Frangelico®, Carolans Irish Cream®, Irish Mist® Liqueur, Sagatiba® Cachaça and Jean-Marc XO Vodka®. Campari America is also the exclusive US distributor of The Glenrothes® Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Bowmore® Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Auchentoshan® Lowland Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Glen Garioch® Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Flor de Caña® Rum, Midori® Melon Liqueur, Hibiki® Whisky, Hakushu® Single Malt Whisky, and The Yamazaki® Single Malt Whisky.
Campari America is headquartered in San Francisco, California. More information on the company can be found at www.campariamerica.com, www.facebook.com/campariamerica, Twitter: @CampariAmerica and www.camparigroup.com. Please enjoy Campari America brands responsibly and in moderation.
About Gruppo Campari
Davide Campari-Milano S.p.A., together with its affiliates ("Gruppo Campari"), is a major player in the global beverage sector, trading in over 190 nations around the world with a leading position in the Italian and Brazilian markets and a strong presence in the USA and Continental Europe. The Group has an extensive portfolio that spans three business segments: spirits, wines and soft drinks. In the spirits segment its internationally renowned brands, such as Campari, Carolans, SKYY Vodka and Wild Turkey stand out. It also has leading regional brands including Aperol, Cabo Wabo, Camparisoda, Cynar, Frangelico, Glen Grant, Ouzo 12, X-Rated Fusion Liqueur, Zedda Piras and the local Brazilian brands Dreher, Old Eight and Drury’s. Its wine segment boasts the global brand Cinzano, as well as important regional brands including Liebfraumilch, Mondoro, Odessa, Riccadonna, Sella&Mosca and Teruzzi&Puthod. The soft drinks segment comprises the non-alcoholic aperitif Crodino and Lemonsoda as well as its respective line extension dominating the Italian market. The Group employs over 2,200 people. The shares of the parent company, Davide Campari-Milano S.p.A. (Reuters CPRI.MI - Bloomberg CPR IM), are listed on the Italian Stock Exchange. www.camparigroup.com