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Hamilton, Bermuda, Dec. 13, 2012—Bacardi Limited caps off the yearlong celebration of its 150th anniversary with the creation of a commemorative time capsule to symbolize the unity, passion and pioneering spirit of Bacardi—the Company, family and iconic rum brand. The time capsule acts as a living snapshot of the Company in 2012 and also carries messages from current-day employees to Bacardi employees of 2062—50 years from now—to honor the enduring Bacardi legacy when it is opened on its 200th anniversary.
The 6ft x 1ft (1.82m x 0.30m) custom-created, stainless steel capsule, encased in a granite cap and cement pedestal and registered with the International Time Capsule Society, was installed at the Bacardi worldwide headquarters in Bermuda at an event hosted by Chairman Facundo L. Bacardi and President & CEO Ed Shirley of family-owned Bacardi Limited. This historical event was attended by Bacardi executives, employees, Bermuda government officials and other dignitaries. The pedestal, which is adorned with a bronze plaque, is situated in front of the headquarters and welcomes visitors as the iconic Mies van der Rohe-inspired building is a popular tourist attraction on the island.
“All of us at Bacardi, including our nearly 6,000 employees, are honored to share our history and legacy with consumers and customers around the world. We’ve been equally thrilled that so many have embraced our truly one-of-a-kind story of a brand, family and Company. Consumers really connect with our heritage because they love our authenticity and understand the Bacardi legacy that began 150 years ago,” said Facundo L. Bacardi, great-great grandson of Bacardi founder. “The small company that started with one brand in 1862 in Santiago de Cuba is now the largest privately-held spirits company in the world with a portfolio of some of the most enviable names in the industry. Our labels of BACARDÍ rum, GREY GOOSE vodka, DEWAR’s Blended Scotch whisky, BOMBAY SAPPHIRE gin, MARTINI vermouth and Italian sparkling wines and CAZADORES tequila are some of the world’s most recognized and celebrated.”
Bacardi employees from around the world carefully selected mementoes with the most meaning for them in this historic year for inclusion in the time capsule. Among the numerous items representing the year 2012 are:
Photograph of the remarkable gathering of nearly 500 members of the Bacardi family, representing eight generations, captured in a single moment encircling the iconic Bacardi bat logo at the family’s 150th anniversary party in Puerto Rico Commemorative medal honoring BACARDÍ rum as the “World’s Most Awarded Spirit,” an honor achieved with nearly 600 awards for great taste, quality and innovation Collage of award-winning communications, packaging, design and promotional items commemorating the brand and Company’s 150th year Letter written in an ancient style of Chinese characters, honoring the tradition of paying homage to timeless heritage, by China-based employees with personal messages next to their photos Hand-written notes of inspirational messages from German employees The first-ever tv ad for BACARDÍ Big Apple rum in Brazil, one of Bacardi’s fastest-growing markets in Latin America BACARDÍ rum ad marking the anniversary broadcast on a 23-story tall electronic billboard in New York City’s famed Times Square Decorated African storage gourd, an important cultural and social symbol shared among friends in Kenya, one of our newest markets as Bacardi continues to expand A quartz geode of volcanic origin in Uruguay believed to promote concentration and exhibit positive energy—important traits to pursue new, creative ideas BACARDÍ+ ready-to-drink bottle of a pre-mixed cocktail with mixer launched this year in Asia
The 6ft x 1ft (1.82m x 0.30m) custom-created, stainless steel capsule, encased in a granite cap and cement pedestal and registered with the International Time Capsule Society, was installed at the Bacardi worldwide headquarters in Bermuda at an event hosted by Chairman Facundo L. Bacardi and President & CEO Ed Shirley of family-owned Bacardi Limited. This historical event was attended by Bacardi executives, employees, Bermuda government officials and other dignitaries. The pedestal, which is adorned with a bronze plaque, is situated in front of the headquarters and welcomes visitors as the iconic Mies van der Rohe-inspired building is a popular tourist attraction on the island.
“All of us at Bacardi, including our nearly 6,000 employees, are honored to share our history and legacy with consumers and customers around the world. We’ve been equally thrilled that so many have embraced our truly one-of-a-kind story of a brand, family and Company. Consumers really connect with our heritage because they love our authenticity and understand the Bacardi legacy that began 150 years ago,” said Facundo L. Bacardi, great-great grandson of Bacardi founder. “The small company that started with one brand in 1862 in Santiago de Cuba is now the largest privately-held spirits company in the world with a portfolio of some of the most enviable names in the industry. Our labels of BACARDÍ rum, GREY GOOSE vodka, DEWAR’s Blended Scotch whisky, BOMBAY SAPPHIRE gin, MARTINI vermouth and Italian sparkling wines and CAZADORES tequila are some of the world’s most recognized and celebrated.”
Bacardi employees from around the world carefully selected mementoes with the most meaning for them in this historic year for inclusion in the time capsule. Among the numerous items representing the year 2012 are:
Photograph of the remarkable gathering of nearly 500 members of the Bacardi family, representing eight generations, captured in a single moment encircling the iconic Bacardi bat logo at the family’s 150th anniversary party in Puerto Rico Commemorative medal honoring BACARDÍ rum as the “World’s Most Awarded Spirit,” an honor achieved with nearly 600 awards for great taste, quality and innovation Collage of award-winning communications, packaging, design and promotional items commemorating the brand and Company’s 150th year Letter written in an ancient style of Chinese characters, honoring the tradition of paying homage to timeless heritage, by China-based employees with personal messages next to their photos Hand-written notes of inspirational messages from German employees The first-ever tv ad for BACARDÍ Big Apple rum in Brazil, one of Bacardi’s fastest-growing markets in Latin America BACARDÍ rum ad marking the anniversary broadcast on a 23-story tall electronic billboard in New York City’s famed Times Square Decorated African storage gourd, an important cultural and social symbol shared among friends in Kenya, one of our newest markets as Bacardi continues to expand A quartz geode of volcanic origin in Uruguay believed to promote concentration and exhibit positive energy—important traits to pursue new, creative ideas BACARDÍ+ ready-to-drink bottle of a pre-mixed cocktail with mixer launched this year in Asia
The installation of the time capsule wraps up an extraordinary celebration of the 150 years of Bacardi—a milestone few companies achieve. With roots dating back to its founding in Santiago de Cuba in 1862, Don Facundo Bacardí Massó pioneered numerous processes, standards and innovations to create the exceptional quality and mixability of BACARDÍ rum—most of which are still used today. In fact, more than 100 years ago, the world’s favorite rum inspired bartenders to create some of the most popular cocktails including the Mojito, the Daiquiri and the Cuba Libre.