Hybrid Brandz delivers innovative, enterprise-grade solutions for the consumer-packaged goods (CPG) industry and brand managers worldwide.
Hybrid Brandz believes the future of packaging lies at the intersection of creative personalization, powerful technology, and sustainability. We were therefore delighted to see two projects developed with our long-standing customer, Diageo, take home major honors at the Digital Labels & Packaging Awards 2026.
It was an afternoon to remember, celebrating innovation, creativity, and collaboration alongside some of the best in the industry.
Project Cruiser — Johnnie Walker 1 of 1 Dubai Cities Edition received Gold for Innovation, as well as the prestigious Supreme Award (Best in Show), in collaboration with PSL GmbH – Bottle Decoration.
The judges described the project as:
“This entry is an outstanding and clear overall winner: Judges could not find a single fault with its impeccable attention to detail. A masterclass of personalised unique gift bottles using advanced printing technology driven by an AI engine that transforms the Dubai landscape. A pure digital execution that continues to drive innovation forward. Well done to the Diageo team and its tribe of collaborative suppliers who dare to dream.”
Both projects utilized the Hybrid Brandz CLOUDFLOW platform to power automated, variably printed packaging artwork.
Award-Winning Personalization
Today’s consumers increasingly expect products that feel personal, premium, and memorable. For global beverage brands, packaging has become much more than simply a container — it is an important part of the consumer experience.
The Johnnie Walker 1 of 1 Dubai Cities Edition demonstrates what becomes possible when creativity, advanced digital printing, intelligent automation, and personalization come together.
The project transformed the Dubai landscape into highly personalized, one-of-a-kind bottle designs, turning each piece of packaging into a unique collectible. Its combination of advanced printing technology and an AI-driven creative engine helped earn the project both Gold for Innovation and the Supreme Award (Best in Show).
Meanwhile, the Baileys Festive Edition explored an innovative approach to bottle decoration, combining distinctive seasonal design with technology designed to reduce the use of plastic in the finished packaging.
Its achievement was recognized with Gold for Best Use of Water Based Ink.
Spotlighting Diageo’s Technology Behind the Innovation
A key innovation highlighted within the Baileys Festive Bottle project is the use of an HDF (High Definition Micro Fusion) process applied directly to glass.
Unlike traditional shrink sleeve decoration methods, where labels are printed onto plastic sleeves and then applied to bottles, this approach transfers only the ink directly onto the glass surface.
The result is a bottle decoration that is effectively ‘plastic free,’ while the carrier film used during the process can be recycled in a closed-loop system at the printer.
The award recognizes an exciting example of how brands and their technology partners can explore more sustainable approaches to premium packaging decoration without compromising creativity or consumer impact.
Hybrid Brandz’ Role
Behind both award-winning projects, the Hybrid Brandz CLOUDFLOW platform provided the technology for:
- Setting up intelligent, automated workflows
- Creating and delivering variable-data print files for personalized artwork
These projects demonstrate what can happen when brands, creatives, technology providers, and production specialists work together around a shared ambition.
We’re proud to support Diageo and to be part of the wider team of collaborators behind these pioneering projects.
To the village behind them — cheers to the ideas, technology, creativity, and partnerships that make work like this possible.
To learn more about Hybrid Brandz and CLOUDFLOW solutions for brand experiences, personalization, and packaging innovation, get in touch with our team here.
