By Lee Hyo-sik
Pernod Ricard said Wednesday that it will appoint Jean Touboul as the CEO of its Korean unit effective Sept. 1, replacing outgoing chief Jean-Manuel Spriet who will leave the French company after 26 years.
Pernod Richard Korea, widely known for its Imperial whisky brand, has been suffering sales declines under Spriet's leadership over the past few years. Among others, Spriet's trouble with the firm's union has made it difficult for the French liquor maker to compete with Diageo and other rivals amid Korea's shrinking whisky market.
The new CEO is expected to face a range of daunting tasks. He will first have to improve labor-management relations, prop up a crumbing sales network and introduce new products in line with rapidly changing consumer tastes, according to industry analysts.
"Touboul, who is the head of Pernod Ricard Taiwan, will succeed Spriet effective Sept. 1," a Pernod Ricard Korea official said.
After graduating from ESCP Business School in France in 2001, Touboul joined Pernod Ricard Europe in 2004, working in finance and strategic planning. In 2011, he moved to company headquarters to become vice president in charge of the firm's investors' relations and financial communication.
Since 2014, he has been heading the whisky maker's operations in Taiwan.
"Pernod Ricard Korea is the pioneer of the domestic premium scotch whisky market," Touboul said. "We have great potential to grow with our deep and large portfolio and continuous brand innovations supported by a strong and committed team. Let's put our collaborative efforts into moving forward to the next step and regain the leading position in Korea."
 |
| Jean Touboul |
Pernod Richard Korea, widely known for its Imperial whisky brand, has been suffering sales declines under Spriet's leadership over the past few years. Among others, Spriet's trouble with the firm's union has made it difficult for the French liquor maker to compete with Diageo and other rivals amid Korea's shrinking whisky market.
The new CEO is expected to face a range of daunting tasks. He will first have to improve labor-management relations, prop up a crumbing sales network and introduce new products in line with rapidly changing consumer tastes, according to industry analysts.
"Touboul, who is the head of Pernod Ricard Taiwan, will succeed Spriet effective Sept. 1," a Pernod Ricard Korea official said.
After graduating from ESCP Business School in France in 2001, Touboul joined Pernod Ricard Europe in 2004, working in finance and strategic planning. In 2011, he moved to company headquarters to become vice president in charge of the firm's investors' relations and financial communication.
Since 2014, he has been heading the whisky maker's operations in Taiwan.
"Pernod Ricard Korea is the pioneer of the domestic premium scotch whisky market," Touboul said. "We have great potential to grow with our deep and large portfolio and continuous brand innovations supported by a strong and committed team. Let's put our collaborative efforts into moving forward to the next step and regain the leading position in Korea."
