New artistic campaign: Omar Victor Diop, artist of the year

Omar Victor Diop, artist of Pernod Ricard's 41st artistic campaign - Watch the video on YouTube

During our annual soirée held last night in Paris at the Centre Georges Pompidou, the name of the artist behind the Pernod Ricard's 41st artistic campaign was reveal: Senegalese photographer Omar Victor Diop. Guests were also given a preview of three shots from the upcoming campaign, which will be displayed in full at the Paris Photo Fair on 10-13 November 2016, at which Pernod Ricard is an exhibitor.

Staying true to our commitment to invest in promoting contemporary art, we have been giving a 'carte blanche' to an international artist to illustrate our annual report for more than 40 years. In 2009, we opted for contemporary photography by adding a permanent feature to this artistic approach ' using the Group's employees as models.

For his carte blanche, Omar Victor Diop decided to take portraits of employees from Pernod Ricard's African subsidiaries and to embody the relationship between them and their colleagues from the rest of the world. He incorporated them in outfits specially created by the Senegalese designer Selly Raby Kane in the format of medallion portraits often seen in African stylistic compositions. 

Alexandre Ricard, Chairman and CEO of Pernod Ricard, used the event to express his enthusiasm for this new campaign: 'Seeing the annual campaign for the first time and the enjoyment of the employees taking part in it is always a high point. Our employees have always been at the heart of our business model, and we are proud to show it to the world! Being 'créateurs de convivialité' also means giving them experiences like these'.

I am delighted to have been given this 'carte blanche' by Pernod Ricard. Their employees have such pride and such dignity!

Omar Victor Diop, Senegalese photographer

Omar Victor Diop, present at the Pompidou Centre to unveil his first pieces, added: 'I am delighted to have been given this 'carte blanche' by Pernod Ricard and to have been able to immerse myself in the corporate culture of a Group that I didn't know. Their employees have such pride and such dignity! How bold of a CAC40 company to be so fully committed to Africa! All that was left to do was supporting this ambition and carrying it out with strength and joy.'

Download the press release