In a noteworthy example of co-branding, the renowned Italian sparkling mineral water brand, San Pellegrino, has collaborated with the iconic jewelry and fashion accessories brand BVLGARI to mark the latter’s 125th anniversary. This strategic partnership has given rise to a limited edition bottle named BVLGARI x San Pellegrino, a unique fusion that seeks to celebrate Italy’s refined spirit and culture. The synergistic collaboration between these two Italian brands showcases the power of co-branding in creating exclusive and commemorative products that resonate with shared values and heritage, reinforcing the importance of such collaborative ventures in the dynamic landscape of branding and marketing.

“When S.Pellegrino met BVLGARI, the idea flowed organically: this co-branding partnership marked a significant stride toward the establishment of a unique Made in Italy hallmark, uniting the most prestigious brands and setting the highest standard for Italian style worldwide,” expressed Stefano Agostini, CEO of Sanpellegrino. This collaboration not only emphasizes the natural synergy between S.Pellegrino and BVLGARI but also highlights the potential of co-branding to elevate the essence of Italian craftsmanship and style to unparalleled heights, making a distinctive mark in the global arena.

The decision to reimagine the traditional bottle design follows the precedent set by San Pellegrino’s 2010 limited edition collaboration with Missoni. While partnerships between fashion brands and designer bottles have been a customary practice, the Missoni project marked a historic moment in San Pellegrino’s over 100 years of operation, as it was the first time the iconic Italian water producer allowed a reinterpretation of its classic bottle design. This innovative approach reflects San Pellegrino’s commitment to pushing boundaries through creative collaborations, embracing co-branding as a means to infuse new life and style into its timeless products.

San Pellegrino decided to limit the production of the BVLGARI bottle to 50 million units and to distribute them only to specific high-end restaurants around the world. However most of the bottles will be used at the exclusive events celebrating the designer’s anniversary worldwide.

Beyond creating a hallmark for Made in Italy products, this move is of course part of a larger strategy to further establish the position of the San Pellegrino brand as a global luxury good. Internationally, the brand is already perceived as one of the high-end options in the bottled water market. However, adopting this co-branding strategy can assist the company in increasing its identification as a luxury good.Co-branding with luxury products is one of the most popular brand-building strategies companies embark. (For more details, please see Labbrand’s previous posts of “H&M with Versace” and “Co-branding, a 1+1>2 formula ”).

With the transformative collaborations with Missoni and the embellishment by BVLGARI, the natural curiosity arises: what lies ahead for the San Pellegrino brand? Having ventured into unique co-branding initiatives, San Pellegrino is poised at the forefront of innovative partnerships. The anticipation builds as enthusiasts and consumers alike ponder the next artistic and influential collaboration that will redefine and elevate the brand’s visual identity and cultural significance. The brand’s commitment to creativity and style through such collaborations opens the door to endless possibilities, leaving us eager to witness the next chapter in San Pellegrino’s journey of redefining and reinventing its timeless allure.