CAMPARI AMERICA RELOCATES TO NEW CUTTING-EDGE SAN FRANCISCO HEADQUARTERS BUILT FOR SPEED AND INNOVATION

New Offices in Iconic Levi’s Plaza Designed to Foster Collaboration, Communication and Creativity

SAN FRANCISCO – ­ Campari America http://www.campariamerica.com, a wholly owned subsidiary of Davide Campari-Milano S.p.A. (Reuters CPRI.MI – Bloomberg CPR IM), the world’s sixth largest spirits company, announced its much anticipated corporate office move to historic Levi’s Plaza. The owner of such world-renowned spirits brands as Campari®, SKYY® Vodka, Wild Turkey® Bourbon, and Espolón® Tequila will officially occupy its new home starting in April 2013.

San-Francisco-178305The new location at 1255 Battery Street was chosen for its high energy, campus-like environment, central “heart of the city” location, and close proximity to downtown San Francisco and iconic local brand, Levi Strauss. The new headquarters will occupy 34,000 square feet of space, including the entire fifth floor and part of the fourth floor of Levi Plaza’s North Building. Housing approximately 100 employees, the stunning new office features 360 degree views of the bay and city vistas.

Campari America’s business has expanded dramatically over the past five years, making it crucial to find new office space that could bring together all local employees previously housed in three Bay Area offices (1 Beach Street and 55 Francisco in San Francisco, and one in Pleasanton). Campari America CEO and President Gerry Ruvo decided it was time to find a new home designed to accommodate the fast-growing business and foster the company’s core values ­ speed and innovation.

“Campari America was originally Skyy Spirits – a San Francisco-born company. SKYY Vodka would not have happened if not for the Bay Area¹s position as the epicenter of innovation for the world, and we are proud to be a part of that. From the very beginning, our company was built on speed and innovation, and with our move, we wanted our new headquarters to reflect that,” explains Ruvo.  “Levi’s Plaza has proven to be a hub of creative and entrepreneurial thinking, which is aligned with Campari America’s direction.”

“We also wanted to bring our three offices together under one roof.  True collaboration is a product of strong personal connections, which can only be made when everyone is in the same office,” continued Ruvo.

The new headquarters was designed by global, award-winning multidisciplinary design firm, Rapt Studio. The firm, whose practice is rooted in the belief that great design can transform the way we live and work, is also responsible for the VF Outdoor Campus HQ in Alameda, CA, the Adobe Systems Utah Campus in Lehi, UT, and the San Francisco AIDS Foundation Headquarters.

“The design for the new headquarters for Campari America hinges on the idea that an open, more fluid and vibrant workplace fosters faster communication, more dynamic interactions between work groups, and expressive relationships between coworkers. It is a workplace built for speed,” said Rapt Studio CEO, David Galullo. “The floor plan organizes open work areas and shared amenities to offer a more egalitarian layout, allowing for communication between groups to easily flow from one side of the floor to another. The main gathering spaces face world-class views of the San Francisco Bay and Bay Bridge.  This area is highlighted by a feature bar, cocktail laboratory, outdoor space, and a series of casual seating arrangements that foster collaboration and communication in a more informal setting than in the workspace proper.”

The new office is modern in design, clean and glossy within an industrial space. The overall intent during the design process was to create a contemporary space that represents and embodies the flavor of Campari America and the unique personalities of each portfolio brand. The new office features branded elements neatly integrated within the architecture highlighting each of Campari America’s 30+ brands while never losing the cohesiveness of the whole. Some of the unique features include:

·       Campari America Bar Lab
Inspired by the Campari Academy in Italy, the Campari America Bar Lab will be the epicenter for flavor innovations with brands like SKYY Infusions and recipe testing for new cocktails from notable local bartending talent.

·       Communal Bar and Lounge Area
Along with the Campari America Bar Lab, the new headquarters will also feature a communal bar and lounge area that overlooks the beautiful views of the San Francisco Bay and Bay Bridge. This area will be used for events and other company activities.

·       3D Brand Wall
The new office will feature an all-white 3D wall with each of the brand logos emerging out of the facade, creating the unique effect of a live word cloud installation. It is a visual intention to move away from a singular brand design aesthetic associated with the previous office (SKYY Vodka), and demonstrates the breadth and depth of all of the Campari America line of spirits.

·       Customized Conference Rooms
The new office conference rooms will each be designed and named after company brands (Campari, Espolón, Wild Turkey, SKYY) and cocktails (Negroni, Manhattan, Margarita, Daiquiri, Paloma, Americano). The design of each room is an intellectual and esoteric representation of what these brands embody, visually creating the essence and flavors of each spirit and cocktail through design.

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About Campari America
Campari America is a wholly owned subsidiary of Davide Campari-Milano S.p.A. (Reuters CPRI.MI – Bloomberg CPR IM).  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 world¹s finest whiskies since the 1800s.  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 Campari¹s 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, Appleton® Estate Rum, Wray & Nephew® Rum, Coruba® Rum, Ouzo 12®, X-Rated® Fusion Liqueur®, Frangelico®, Cynar®, Carolans Irish Cream®, Irish Mist® Liqueur, Sagatiba® Cachaça and Jean-Marc XO Vodka®.  Campari America is also the exclusive US distributor of Bowmore® Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Auchentoshan® Lowland Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Glen Garioch® Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky, McClelland¹s® 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<http://www.campariamerica.com/>, www.facebook.com/campariamerica<http://www.facebook.com/campariamerica>, Twitter: @CampariAmerica and www.camparigroup.com<http://www.camparigroup.com/>.  Please enjoy Campari America brands responsibly and in moderation.

About Rapt Studio
Rapt Studio is a global, employee-owned design practice that transforms the way people live and work. Based in San Francisco ­ and with offices in Los Angeles and Delhi, India ­ Rapt Studio builds environments that inspire, environments for a cohesive and elegant user experience and environments that provide meaningful spaces that express culture and brand. Multi-disciplinary teams create design solutions that help clients evolve their business and adapt to change. Rapt Studio is known for deep, long-term client engagements that foster innovative and creative responses to real business needs. Rapt Studio designs for some of the globe’s top brands, including VF Corporation, the world’s largest apparel company (Vans, The North Face, Reef, JanSport, etc.), Google, Apple, Disney, Adobe and Salesforce.com. For more information, visit www.raptstudio.com.