Creative Online

CREATIVE Beverage Merchandising
December/January, 2006



Stone Cellars By Beringer Launched In Single-Serve Bottles

Stone Cellars by Beringer has introduced the first nationally available premium wine in unbreakable single-serve bottles. At one-fourth the size of traditional 750 ml bottles, the unbreakable 187 ml bottles easily go where glass can't, including sporting events, the beach, picnics and camping.

The launch of the new Stone Cellars package comes at a time when wine has replaced beer as Americans' number one preferred alcoholic beverage, according to a recent Gallup poll.



Mountain Dew Introduces MDX Energy Soda

Mountain Dew is bridging the gap between energy drinks and soda with the launch of MDX. Pioneering a new category of energy sodas, MDX features the familiar citrus flavor of Mountain Dew, but is fueled by a “power pack” of ingredients including Ginseng, Guarana, Taurine, and D-Ribose. The launch of MDX also marks the debut of a new single-serve 14-oz PET bottle that is convenient, portable, easy to grip and features a re-sealable cap.

“Mountain Dew helped create the energy category and MDX is the next logical step in our evolution,”said Katie Lacey, V.P., Marketing, Carbonated Soft Drinks, Pepsi-Cola North America. “Consumers are increasingly looking for energy-witness the explosion of energy drinks-there is great opportunity for a new category. MDX satisfies the consumer who is looking for a boost of energy but refuses to sacrifice taste and refreshment.”



Waddajuice Healthy Beverage Is Launched

Waddajuice, a healthy on-the-go juice beverage with an innovative kids sports cap, has been launched by Snapple founder Arnold Greenberg and entrepreneur and father of two children.

The idea started with the advice of a pediatrician who opened the parent’s eye to the growing childhood obesity epidemic.

Waddajuice is made with wholesome ingredients, no added sweeteners, flavors, dyes, preservatives or additives, and contains half the sugar, calories and carbohydrates of other fruit juices. Waddajuice’s unique spill-proof package design allows children to easily pop off the overcap, remove a small seal and drink away. Waddajuice offers 100% vitamin C, 10% calcium and 10% of the essential B vitamins and comes in four kid-favorite flavors: Apple, Orange, Wild Berry and White Grape. Special display racks will call attention to the launch.



Displays Offers Rip It Power Energy Fuel & PowerBlast

National Beverage Corp. has introduced Rip It Power Energy Fuel and PowerBlast powders in convenient power-paks ready to mix with water.

Rip It Power Energy Fuel powder contains the same energy burst offered by the Company’s fast growing energy beverage, Rip It. PowerBlast powder provides a vitamin boost in addition to an extra ‘blast of energy’. Both powders will be available in 24-pack display cartons.

“Our mission is to successfully launch the first nationally distributed ‘powdered’ energy and vitamin-enhanced products offered in unique power-paks,” said Joseph Caporella, President. “We are positioning PowerBlast to appeal to active adults in the 24-44 age bracket. Rip It powders are targeted to men aged 18-24 who are looking for a quick burst of energy.”



Flying Fish Merlot Features On-Premise Display

Big Fluke Wine Co., a subsidiary of Click Wine Group, has introduced Flying Fish, a premium Merlot from the Columbia Valley in Washington State.

Committed to protecting the environment, Click Wine Group has partnered with The Ocean Conservancy and pledged a portion of the proceeds from Flying Fish to help protect wild healthy oceans.

Flying Fish Merlot draws inspirations from Washington’s state natural and cultural heritage. The label’s image blends classic art of the Pacific Northwest together with the emblematic Sockeye salmon. The artwork for the bottle and display is a replication of Northwest artist Blaine Billman’s painting entitled, “Spirit of the Sockeye.”

The name Flying Fish was chosen based on the graphics Blaine created.



Chopin Vodka Displays New Look

Chopin Vodka, the world’s only luxury potato vodka from Poland, is making a fashion statement with enhanced packaging, and elegant point-of-purchase displays.

Melissa Frank, Brand Director, Moet Hennessy USA Vodkas, said, “Chopin is a refined brand that has always made a bold packaging statement. It was time to introduce some changes to enhance our look.”

The artistic inspiration for the change came from the famous 19th Century Polish composer Frederik Chopin. The signature hand drawing of the artist is now more visible from the front, seen as an elegant profile through a looking glass window into the bottle. The artist’s signature appears even larger on the front of the bottle.

The words “Potato Vodka” immediately below the signature call out the brand’s point of difference, the rich flavor that stems from cultivated, naturally grown potatoes in the Podlasie region of Poland.



Technomic Reports Healthy Signs Of Growth In Adult Beverage Sales

Technomic Reports Healthy Signs Of Growth In Adult Beverage Sales On-premise beverage industry grew faster in 2005 than originally anticipated, with consumer expenditures on on-premise alcohol growing by 6.4%, according to Technomic, a marketing consultant to the on-premise/foodservice channel.

But restaurants and other operators have relied heavily upon growing the on-premise alcohol business through price increases and now express concern that the price of a drink is approaching levels that may negatively impact consumers' orders.

“Coupled with other rising costs, we expect spending to slow slightly in 2006,” said David Henkes, Executive Director of the Adult Beverage Insights Group.



Charbay Introduces Green Tea Vodka

Charbay, a Napa Valley, CA-based winery and micro-distillery, has introduced Charbay Green Tea Vodka, with four green tea variations.

Miles Karakasevic, Charbay’s owner and a 12th-generation Master Distiller, said, “It was no small feat to combine the two distinctive worlds-tea and vodka.”



Flavia Fusion Launches New Drinks Station

Flavia, the pioneer in single cup beverage systems, has introduced the Flavia Fusion drinks station for the home.

Rod Ofte, Marketing Director, said, “The new Flavia Fusion drinks station brings variety, convenience and great taste together in one appliance. No matter the drink selected, our technology and beverage recipes ensure a perfect cup every time.”



Coca-Cola Blak Offers Cola & Coffee Fusion

Coca-Cola Co. is launching Coca-Cola Blak, a Coca-Cola and coffee fusion lightly carbonated beverage.

Marc Mathieu, V.P., Global Core Brands, said, “We have created a new category of soft drink--an adult product in a carbonated beverage. This brand is ideal for any part of the day when people are looking for renewed energy.”




QBD has introduced the Grab 'N Go Counter Intelligence, a cooler with easy access that will conveniently sit on top of or be dropped inside a counter. With its small footprint, the Grab ‘N Go is ideal for convenience stores, fast food chains, gas stations, supermarkets or anywhere that a chilled product could be merchandised to promote impulse sales. The Grab ‘N Go comes in a variety of custom colors, and is power efficient. For more information, contact QBD, 31 Bramsteele Road, Brampton, ON Canada L6W 3K6; (Tel) 800-663-3005, 905-459-0709, (Web Site) www.qbd.com.



First Sapphire Inspired Pop-Up Store Opens In New York City

Bombay Sapphire, a leading super premium gin imported to the U.S. by the Bombay Spirits Company, has partnered with Surface Magazine to bring to life Sapphire Inspired, its first ever pop-up store, located at the Bathhouse Studios in New York City for four days only.

Leading manufacturers collaborated with some of the hottest young talents to create and showcase these limited edition pieces including unique Sapphire inspired furniture and accessories.

“This never-been-done-before concept is a true extension of the Bombay Sapphire brand and the Sapphire lifestyle,” said Christine Moll, Bombay Sapphire Marketing Manager. “These designer originals embody the elegance, creativity and forward thinking of the brand, and offer consumers the chance to personally experience inspired design,” Moll said.



Digital Network Deployed At Diedrich Coffeehouses

Diedrich Coffee a gourmet coffee retail chain in California, has deployed a Digital Network in every Diedrich Coffeehouse location.

A series of high-impact, high-definition plasma screens, mounted in every Diedrich Coffeehouse, informs and entertains customers, while providing advertisers with a hard-to-reach audience. The Network offers Diedrich's customers real-time traffic updates in an easy-to-view format, the latest sports scores from ESPN, fashion news by E! Entertainment, stock quotes by Yahoo, live surf reports by Surfline.com and general news updates by MSNBC.

The high-definition Network was installed by ActiveMaps (www.activemaps.com), a Los Angeles, CA-based media company that delivers real-time content for consumers while offering advertisers a dynamic channel into a traditionally hard-to-reach audience.



House of Campari Hosts ‘Passionate Image’ Art Exhibit

House of Campari recently presented “Passionate Image: The Body In Art And Advertising,” a free photography exhibit showcasing famous photographers ranging from Richard Avedon to Matthew Rolston.

The exhibit chronicles the ways art and advertising have influenced one another over the past 30 years, focusing on how artists, and particularly photographers, have captured the sensual body and how those images have been conveyed in diverse ways. The Company’s own passionate body ad images were represented as poster art at the exhibit.



Monty Python's Holy Grail Ale Is Launched In U.S

Eurobrew, Inc., (www.eurobrews.com) a Santa Monica, CA-based beer importer, has recently started importing Monty Python’s Holy Grail Ale to the U.S.

Brewed by the Blacksheep Brewery in Masham, England, this effervescent, copper colored ale has a distinctive flavor with plenty of fruity hops. “Now beer enthusiasts who are Monty Python fans have even more reason to celebrate,” said Dominque Levesque, President, Eurobrews. “Monty Python Holy Grail Ale” will satisfy even the most discriminating taste buds.” Point-of-sale signage is promoting the availability of Monty Python Holy Grail Ale nationwide at select retailers.

Even though the p.o.s. and label says this fine ale is “tempered over burning witches,” the Black Sheep Brewery prides itself on centuries old brewing traditions.



Anheuser-Busch Promotes Winter’s Bourbon Cask Ale

This Winter, Anheuser-Busch is offering Winter’s Bourbon Cask Ale, a rich, full-bodied seasonal hand-crafted draught.

Brewed with dark roasted caramel malts and all-imported hops and aged on toasted bourbon oak casks and whole Madagascar vanilla beans, this winter brew is the second Anheuser-Busch product to be launched in a series of specialty seasonal drafts.



Reed’s Public Offering Hits Grocery Shelves Via Bottleneck Tags

Reed’s founder and CEO Chris Reed is betting on consumers' love for his Ginger Brew to entice them to invest in the New Age beverage company. Thanks to the thousands of IPO neck-tags that dress bottles hitting grocery shelves recently, Reed’s Ginger fans will have the chance to own a piece of the California beverage company at $4 a share.

In the great tradition of Ben & Jerry’s and Samuel Adams, Reed’s, (www.reedsinc.com), wants to grow on the shoulders of public support.

The nation’s only beverage-maker to brew its soft drinks, best known for its premium all-natural Original Ginger Brews, Virgil's Root Beer and China Cola, the proceeds will allow Reed’s the additional capacity and distribution to become a truly mainstream brand-far beyond its health store roots.



Maine Root Beverages Launches Campaign

Maine Root Handcrafted Beverages has launched a new marketing campaign which takes a tongue-in-cheek poke at the “inhumane bottling practices in the world of corporate root beer.” Maine Root’s campaign features an undercover corporate root beer break-in, “No Can Left Behind” and a music video”Bubbles of Injustice”" as well as point-of-sale posters and event marketing.

This is the first campaign for Maine Root, whose root beer sarsaparilla and ginger brew sodas are sweetened with organic cane juice.



'SI Party At Club Bud' Planned For Olympic Winter Games

Budweiser and Sports Illustrated are planning to host the “SI Party At Club Bud” during the 2006 Olympic Winter Games in Torino, Italy. Club Bud will be a six-story pyramid-shaped nightclub located on the Po River across from the Piazza Vittorio in the city center of Torino. The party will draw from a guest list that includes Olympic medal winners, sports legends and Hollywood stars.

“Sports Illustrated’s parties have reached legendary status among those attending or following the Olympic Games,” said Tony Ponturo, Vice President of Global Media and Sports Marketing at Anheuser-Busch.” As the world unites next February in the spirit of competition, our goal is to make sure the ‘SI Party At Club Bud’ is one of the most talked about events at the Olympic Winter Games.”



M. Calosso & Son, Inc




























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