Animated Robots Promote Coke Products In Wal-Mart
Life-sized audio-animatronic robots are making “personal appearances” in Wal-Mart stores to promote Coca-Cola products. The robots, known as “RICK,” which stands for Retailtainment Interactive Coca-Cola Kiosk, are making three-day weekend appearances in Wal-Mart Super Centers, trading out for priority display space. The figures are also being featured in retail merchandising, trade shows, Coke hospitality centers and in other promotions in ten states.
“These figures represent a milestone innovation in point of sale, and are energizing Wal-Mart’s customers to purchase our products, generating significantly increased sales volume and profitability,” said James Bailey, Sr. Director of Advertising and Sales Promotion for Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated, headquartered in Charlotte, NC.
The figures incorporate 22 animation movements and are fully re-programmable. In addition to delivering pre-recorded dialogue, they are equipped with remote show control and voice communications. This equipment enables Coca-Cola field personnel to “speak” through the robots, entering into “live” conversations with shoppers or guests at special events.
The RICK robots were created for the Coca-Cola Bottlers by AVG In-Store Interactive, Chatsworth, CA, which produces animated figures for the retail marketplace.
Anheuser Busch Merchandises New 180 Energy Drink
This counter display is being used to launch Anheuser Busch’s new energy drink as an on-premise beverage in restaurants and taverns. Injection molded of high impact styrene, this display is an alternative to merchandising cans vertically and offers a unique look in shelf management organizers while displaying products on their sides.
Its unique features include horizontal modularity and a gravity feed structure, while providing automatic stock rotation. Easy to use by consumers, the display can be built across the store shelf using as many modular sections as space allows. To accommodate the 8-ounce cans, Display Technologies, a point-of-purchase display firm headquartered in College Point, NY, customized its TechStoc Serpentine III unit to create the new 180 Energy Drink counter display.
Back Bar Riser Showcases Ardbeg Single Malt Whisky
Ardbeg Single Islay Malt Whisky is touting its tremendous taste and recognized reputation as part of an on- and off-premise promotion that highlights the many reasons why this brand is adored by Scotch lovers around the world.
A beautiful back bar riser, embedded in Fieldstone with a rounded, black marble base, is the feature item of the on-premise campaign. Off-premise materials included an eye-catching, four-color shelf saver-reminiscent in style of The Book Of Kells and containing informative and interesting brand history as well as noteworthy critical acclaim. An attractive shelf clip features a screened logo and holds 25 fact cards. Ardbeg Single Islay Malt Whisky is marketed by Brown-Forman Beverages Worldwide.
Gourmet’s Choice Places Displays In Produce Sections
Gourmet's Choice Coffee Co., has launched its “Fresh Produce Coffee Program” with major Mid-West grocery store chains.
The program features freshly roasted Gourmet’s Choice coffee beans roasted daily at Gourmet's Choice Roasterie, appropriately displayed in the fresh produce department in grocery stores. Each display features freshly roasted beans, with a fresh-roasted-date to ensure quality and freshness. Each consumer will be able to smell the aroma and bag his or her own Gourmet’s Choice coffee beans.
Trinchero Winery Debuts Barrel Display
Trinchero Winery has introduced new packaging and an innovative barrel display.
The three tiers of the Trinchero brand-Family Selection (super-premium coastal varietals), Mario's Reserve (ultra-premium Napa Valley chardonnay and cabernet) and the new RSVP (Reserve Single-Vineyard Properties) line-now feature elegant paper labels, tin foil capsules and the script signature of founder Mario Trinchero. These elements serve to visually link the brand’s three tiers while conveying to consumers the high quality of Trinchero wines.
To showcase its new packaging, Trinchero has designed a logoed barrel display featuring a circular metal rack holding 28 bottles and a double-sided accolade case card. The display is designed to be flanked by case stacks of Trinchero wines, affording the opportunity to highlight the winery’s elegant new case shipper.
Stolichnaya Vodka Debuts Holiday Display
Stolichnaya vodka, will be a standout on liquor retailer shelves this season in festive holiday gift boxes and p.o.p. displays.
Stoli’s eye-catching holiday display features a cheerful snowflake design with the word “Stolichnaya.” The holiday packaging and display also includes recipes for holiday entertaining.
“Spirits are always a popular gift during the holidays, and no other brand in the world is more synonymous with vodka than Stolichnaya,” said JoAnne Kletecka, Stolichnaya Marketing Director at Allied Domecq Spirits. “With this new eye-catching Stoli holiday package, we’ve made holiday gift giving fun and enticing!”
Finlandia Runs On- & Off-Premise Holiday Promo.
Finlandia Vodka is bringing good cheer to consumers this holiday season in a new on- and off-premise promotion.
On-premise items include holiday martini table tents and posters, which feature the festive Peppermint Martini, Green Apple Martini and Crantini. In the off-premise campaign, Finlandia’s arctic heritage is the theme once again, with the trademark midnight sun and reindeer festively featured on all items. Consumers will love the unique martini glass co-pack containing a 750-ml of classic Finlandia Vodka and frosted martini glass with recipes and the legend of the white reindeer. The “Merry Martini” case card is also perfect for getting consumers into the spirit of the season. Finlandia is also offering a sweepstakes in participating markets nationwide for a chance to win a seven-day ski-trip for two.
Jack Daniel’s Featured In Holiday Case Cards
This Christmas holiday season, case cards and shelf talkers feature the Jack Daniel’s Family of Brands on a gaily-set cocktail table in front of a lavish window display.
Outside the window, the scene shifts to different settings of holiday celebration-from the small-town atmosphere of Lynchburg to a decorated suburb-for a wonderful image of the holiday season.
Southern Comfort Promotion Provides Holiday Cheer
This holiday season, Brown-Forman Beverage’s Southern Comfort is offering “Comfort and Joy” with a festive on- and off-premise promotion.
On-premise items include lavish posters, ceiling danglers, and table tents. The ever-popular guide to celebrating is back and is one of the featured elements of the off-premise campaign, again offering cocktail and food ideas to consumers eager to add some more holiday enjoyment. Slide-motion pole units and case cards make a spectacular display as they show the famous Southern Comfort oval label dissolving into an image of the same setting covered in snow, decorations and tidings of Comfort and Joy.
Toys ‘R’ Us & Pepsi Announce Partnership
Toys ‘R’ Us, Inc. and Pepsi-Cola Co. have announced a multi-year partnership that calls for the sale of Pepsi products at Toys ‘R’ Us stores nationwide, and at the upcoming family-style ‘Pepsi Café’ in the Toys ‘R’ Us new flagship store in New York City’s Times Square. In addition, the two companies are teaming up for co-marketing programs that will be tied primarily to major sporting events.
Warren Kornblum, Exec. V.P., Worldwide Marketing and Brand Management for Toys ‘R’ Us, said “The partnership with Pepsi provides Toys ‘R’ Us shoppers with unique opportunities that can’t be enjoyed at other retail stores.”
Toys ‘R’ Us and Pepsi recently forged their partnership by sponsoring of the Major League Soccer All-Star Balloting program.
Kobricks Unveils Retail Coffee Concepts
Kobricks Coffee Co., Jersey City, N.J., has unveiled its new brand identity and branded retail coffee concepts. Developed with New York-based marketing firm, Visual Graphic Systems, the new brand identity is infused throughout the design and aesthetic appeal of the various modular retail concepts.
“Our new modular coffee concepts and recent openings with our licensing partners throughout the mid-west demonstrates our commitment to innovation and to the marketing of turn-key branded coffee concepts,” said Robert Delaby, National Director, Brand Development and Operations, Kobricks Coffee.
The new modular Kobricks Coffee concepts incorporate a warm color-scheme that speaks volumes about the company’s rich history in coffee roasting.
Woodford Reserve Bar and Grill Opens At Louisville International Airport
The first Woodford Reserve Bar and Grill has opened at the Louisville International Airport, centered around Woodford Reserve Small Batch Bourbon and the Labrot & Graham Distillery in Woodford County, Kentucky.
“The Louisville International Airport is an important entryway to this state and we wanted the Woodford Reserve Bar and Grill to showcase Kentucky’s treasures of bourbon, Bluegrass and thoroughbreds,” said John Overfield, V.P. and Marketing Director for Woodford Reserve Small Batch Bourbon, a product of Brown-Forman. “With Woodford Reserve’s homeplace, located in the midst of some of Kentucky’s finest horse farms and Woodford Reserve being the ‘Official Bourbon’ of the Kentucky Derby, we felt that we could create a concept that could successfully represent our region.”
Guinness Draught In Bottle
Utilizes ‘Rocket Widget’
Guinness Bass Import Co. has launched Guinness Draught in a Bottle. The new Guinness package contains a ‘Rocket Widget’ that allows, for the first time, drinkers to enjoy authentic Draught Guinness straight from the bottle.
“Guinness Draught in a Bottle will now allow consumers to enjoy a cold Guinness anytime, anywhere, without having to worry about a pint glass,” said James Thompson, V.P. of Marketing at Guinness.
Sterling Promotions
Ocean Spray Introduces White Cranberry Drinks
Ocean Spray has introduced the first-ever line of White Cranberry Juice Drinks including White Cranberry, White Cranberry & Strawberry and White Cranberry & Peach.
Harvested just a few weeks earlier than red cranberries, white cranberries are inherently lighter in color and deliver a smoother, milder taste.
Odwalla Introduces Glorious Morning Blend
Odwalla, Inc., makers of Odwalla and Samantha natural juices, has introduced Glorious Morning, a blend of pure squeezed orange juice and tart cranberries, fortified with Larch Arabinogalactan, Calcium, Magnesium, and Vitamin D. Arabinogalactan has been used for centuries as a source of fiber and an immune system enhancer.
Pro-Tect Plastics offers the Cadillac portable display system, featuring interchangeable graphics. The system’s interlocking modules can be used to create any size or configuration of display in minutes. With custom options including canopy and wheels, the Cadillac is designed for sampling and display applications, indoors or out. For more information, contact Pro-Tect Plastics, 675 Woodside Street, Fergus ON Canada N1M 2M4; (Tel) 705-526-1719, (Fax) 705-527-5961.
Paul Flum Ideas offers this cold drum sampling merchandiser, which applies to the walk-in cooler door with suction cups. Its vertical design allows for minimal interruption of the product on display behind it. For more information, contact Paul Flum Ideas, Inc., 11100 Linpage Place, St. Louis, MO 63132; (Tel) 314-423-9777, (Fax) 314-423-0420, (Web) www.paulflum.com.
Holiday Times’ Display Features Early Times
Early Times Old Style Kentucky Whisky captures the spirit of the season this year with the festive ‘Holiday Times’ off-premise promotion.
A mass display grabs consumer attention featuring a decorated tree as the centerpiece flanked by two Early Times bottles in full winter attire. The display merchandises holiday gift cartons.
Dr Pepper Runs Holiday Promo With Nintendo GameCube
Dr Pepper and Nintendo are collaborating on a promotion for the 2001 holiday season that will give Dr Pepper consumers a chance to instantly win a Nintendo GameCube system.
“Video gaming is a perfect fit with Dr Pepper's core 18- to 34-year-old consumers, and giving them a chance to win Nintendo’s newest system will make this holiday season more exciting than ever,” said Bev Sorensen, Dr Pepper Promotions Manager. “The Nintendo GameCube will be one of this year’s hot gift items, and we’re providing consumers with opportunities to get them free as prizes.”
Dr Pepper is supporting the promotion with a multi-million-dollar marketing effort. Point-of-sale materials include a 54-inch by 60-inch “display spectacular,” pole signs, shelf talkers, static clings, cold vault danglers, shelf intruders, header cards and a recliner rack for 2-liter bottles.
Miller Offers “Best Gift Of Season”
“The best gift of the season” is the theme of this year's dual-brand Miller Lite and Miller Genuine Draft holiday promotion. The on- and off-premise program features classic winter holiday scenes, with the two brands as the centerpiece.
Once again, this year's promotion helps raise money for United Cerebral Palsy. Miller will encourage consumer donations via holiday displays on- and off-premise.
“Our long-term relationship with United Cerebral Palsy has made a positive difference in the lives of thousands of people nationwide, and this holiday promotion has provided a popular forum to raise funds, while offering a festive, seasonal approach to increased beer sales,” said Barry Marek, Director, Brand Promotions.
Off-premise promotional materials include UCP display cards, case cards, danglers, basewrap, a holiday spectacular and case display kits. In addition, a “Holiday Essentials” coupon booklet features offers from Miller partners, including Oscar Mayer, Solo Cups, Lawry’s and the Pork Council.
Hook Me Up! Promo Tool Debuts
Gold Media Group has introduced Hook Me Up!, an interactive game that enables marketers to host matchmaking parties. Hook Me Up! asks players to answer questions related to their personality type, on a pen-based electronic tablet. Each player is given a score. Scores are recorded on wearable layers. A Hook Me Up! Representative roams the crowd and scans the labels with a mobile scanning device from Gold Media.
For more information, contact Gold Media Group, 240 N. Rock Road, Wichita, KS 67206; (Tel) 316-683-5454, (Fax) 316-683-5545, (Web Site) www.GoldMediaGroup.com.
DJ Graphics
Foster’s Runs Holiday Promotion
It must be the holidays if there’s a wreath on the door and a “ridgie didgie” (that’s Australian for refrigerator) filled with Foster’s. That's the theme of this year's on- and off-premise “Australian for Wish List” promotion.
This year’s seasonal promotion is a consumer offer for a Foster’s branded mini-refrigerator and cross promotion opportunities with the Meridian line of wines from Beringer Wineries.
Promotional elements include display cards with tear pads, case cards with tear pads, and danglers.
Pete’s Wicked Ale Launches New Promo
Pete’s Brewing Co. has introduced a new line-up of Pete’s Wicked packaging, products and promotion programs.
The brand’s metamorphous begins with new packaging graphics and a streamlined portfolio of products including the flagship Wicked Ale, Strawberry Blonde, Oktoberfest, Winter Brew, Summer Brew, Red Rush Ale and Helles Lager.
Retailers will experience the new look of Pete’s Wicked through p.o.s displays in stores, bars and restaurants.
Pete’s Wicked Cap-Catcher display spectacular features a special bottle opener available as a mail-in purchase.
Inflatable Coca Cola Can With Goal Post
As an Official Sponsor of Super Bowl, Coca Cola uses these eye-catching inflatables at the point of sale in supermarkets, c-stores and distribution centers across the country. The inflatable Coca Cola Can with Goal Post comes in two different sizes, 36" high and 72" high. Both are used to attract attention at the point of sales. These items are so successful that they are repeated year after year. The inflatables were created by Sterling Promotional Corp., 3010 Westchester Avenue, Purchase, NY 10577.
Canadian Mist Inflatable World Globe
This Hanging Inflatable World Globe with an inflatable bottle inside it, was used in liquor stores to offer instant brand awareness for Canadian Mist. The globe measured 36" but was available in any size. The inflatable display was easy to install and also used air space instead of the hard-to-find floor space. The Canadian Mist Inflatable World Globe was created by Alvimar Manufacturing Co., 51-02 21st Street, Long Island City, New York 11101-5875.
Sunrise Stock Wood Rack
This sturdy stock wood rack holds a good supply of the product and features a colorful header to provide brand recognition. The unit offers good support for the bottles and allows for convenient access to the product from both sides. The Sunrise Stock Wood Rack was created by Coastal Woodworks, P.O. Box 137, Nobleboro, ME 04555.
Bacardi Limon 7 Shelf Display
The display features a unique presentation of product with product on suspended coiled wire shelves with metal bottoms that are welded to round tubing formed in an interesting shape. The wire and metal parts have a silver powder finish. The base is made from plastic and has the Bacardi logo on two sides. The product is definitely the focus and the design gives the product greater appeal. The Bacardi Limon 7 Shelf Display was created by Nashville Display, 1415 Elm Hill Pike, Nashville, TN 37210.
Oregon Chai Wire Display
Oregon Chai required a secondary placement display that would convey the quality of the product, in order to increase its brand presence in grocery and natural food stores nationwide. This display was created using a powder-coated wire steel frame with cold-rolled front steel plate, screened with one color. The header and side graphics were made of 4-color chip. Viking clips were used to attach the graphics to the frame. The eye-catching design with interchangeable graphics made effective use of the available retail real estate. The Oregon Chai Wire Display was created by Rapid Displays, 33195 Lewis Avenue, Union City, CA 94587.
Trio Wire Rack
This Trio Wire rack showcases the product at eye level. It measures 15" wide x 17" deep x 52" high. The display is constructed of wire and 1" steel tubing. Each bottle is suspended by the neck offering easy access and visual impact. The signage is integral to the display, utilizing a folding wire frame. The unit requires no assembly and is designed for economical shipment using common carriers. The Trio Wire Rack was designed and manufactured by Royal Display Corporation, 725 Main Street, Middletown, CT 06457.
This chalk board sign is used to promote and convey the authenticity of Tecate Beer in bars and restaurants featuring a Mexican theme. It is designed to enhance the establishments' ambiance while providing a convenient and attractive place to advertise in-house specials and featured items. Combining these two roles helps to insure prominent placement and build strong identity. The wooden signs was designed with a weathered look to resemble the top of an old packaging crate bearing the sales message “Hecho en Mexico” which reinforces Tecate's authentic Mexican origins. The graphics are screen printed on distressed wood. For more information, contact Heritage Sign & Display, 344 Industrial Drive, P.O. Box 158, Nesquehoning, PA 18240.
The Icehouse Neon Spectacular Sign was designed to replicate huge 20' x 60' Outdoor billboards placed in North Carolina. The sign supports the Icehouse image and heritage on a regional program for the Southeast, an important area for the brand's growth. The Icehouse logo and Plank Road Brewery are strong visuals, and the Brand wanted to see this in all their POS - litho, permanent and neon, including the tie-in with the regional billboard placement. Materials included molded rigid polyurethane foam background letters and house, vacuum formed ABS housing back, core and coil transformer, 9mm neon tubing, black powder coated custom fabricated metal frame support. For more information, contact MoldRite Products, Inc., N29W22870 Marjean Lane, Waukesha, WI 53186-1016.
This Glen Ellen Banner measures 2' x 5' and is a dye-sublimation heat transfer onto Poly-Poplin. It features hot knife edges with pockets sewn top and bottom. In addition to banners, the company offers tablecloths and textile collateral. Images are imprinted via digital output, screen-print or offset printing using dye-sublimation technology. For more information, contact Visual Textile Resource, 522 East 22nd Street, Patterson, NJ 07514.
This Corona 12 Pack Paradise Sign was designed to effectively integrate the sun, fun in paradise imagery with the brand logo. The design focuses on the message and combines three dimensional screen printing, deep distortion vacuum forming with injection molded bottles to pop the artistic imagery from a realistic full size 12 pack carton and bottle. The three dimensional visual provides attention and connection of brand imagery with the logo at inside wall locations at on and off premise accounts. The sign helped achieve a 14% sales increase in sales of the brand this past year. For more information, contact KCS Industries, A Division of Array Marketing, 340 Maple Avenue, Hartland, Wisconsin 53029.
Pepsi-Cola saw the spirit of patriotism that has been sweeping the country since September 11. They created a series of banners which were made available to bottlers and national accounts people for distribution to their retail outlets. The Pepsi patriotic banners are 2' by 5' using premium 10 oz. Outdoor material. They are sewn and grommeted for long life. The banners feature the slogan, “United We Stand” and carry only a small Pepsi logo. The banners were designed and produced within a very short time period. For more information, contact International Patterns, 50 Inez Drive, Bay Shore, NY 11706.
3D Flexible Banners has been introduced by Albert Screenprint Inc. This patented process brings a new concept to the field. The 3D System allows logos, graphics and illustrations to be raised on poly banners. For more information on 3D Flexible Banners, contact Albert Screenprints Inc., 3704 Summit Road, P.O. Box 1041, Norton, OH 44203.
Screen Printed Banners are offered by PAC Bannerworks with large quantities available at low unit prices. Screen printing is the most cost-effective method of producing large quantities of banners. A selection of materials is available including 8 mil polyethylene, 10 oz. vinyl or 13 oz. saturn vinyl. Four-color process or flat colors can be printed one-sided or two-sided. Banners feature double stitching for durability, plus ropes and grommets for hanging. UPS on-line shipping is available for all locations. For more information, contact PAC BannerWorks, 3622 Home Street, Mishawaka, IN 46545.
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