Pepsi has launched Pepsi Pulse in the UK in a rollout that will see the platform introduced into more than 40 countries by the end of the summer.

The Pepsi Pulse platform is a tile-based portal linking together a range of Pepsi activities, including the brands latest videos, its links to music, film and fashion and its social media channels will feature prominently with live feeds updating on the website whilst you browse.

The site appears to be a refreshed version of the Live for Now site that was created last summer, and features similar content with updated features such as ‘Artist of the Week,’ ‘Song of the Day,’ and ‘Pepsi’s Favourite Now Apps.’

Versions of the site have been optimised for tablet and mobile, ensuring that wherever consumers are they can access Pepsi’s content quickly and easily without hassle.

Speaking about Pepsi Pulse, Brad Jakeman, President, Global Beverages Group, PepsiCo, said: “The media landscape has profoundly changed and brands now have to engage consumers in meaningful conversations with compelling content.

“Pepsi has a storied history of innovating, creating and embracing all forms of pop culture and now with Pepsi Pulse we’ve created a channel that enables the brand to form real-time cultural connections with our fans in an authentic fashion, deepening brand equity and ultimately driving sales for Pepsi.”

For more information, follow the Pepsi Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pepsi Don’t forget to follow us on www.facebook.com/drinksbrands for all the latest drinks news. 

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If you have been out and about lately you will probably have noticed that Coca-Cola has got personal, labeling its bottles with a selection of the UK’s most popular names. The idea behind this is to make Coca-Cola a giftable item, so that when you buy one for yourself, you get one for a friend too.

Whilst some may view this as a cynical marketing plan to make consumers buy two bottles instead of one, the idea behind it has a much fluffier core – the notion of sharing, togetherness and sharing time with a friend or loved one being central to this idea, which has seen Coca-Cola change its label for the first time in an age.

The promotion, which is a limited edition idea for the beginning of the summer has been hugely successful for Coca-Cola. And although it might be difficult locating your buddies names in fridges across the land, the concept has proven a winner.

For all those who missed out, Coca-Cola even created their own advert, encouraging folk to go out and share a Coke with their friends – presenting a handful of reasons why you should make time for your buddy.

Speaking prior to the launch of the advert, Jon Woods, General Manager at Coca-Cola Great Britain & Ireland, said: “We are delighted to be launching this campaign, which sees the iconic Coca-Cola script transformed and personalised for the first time across our Coke portfolio of Coke Classic, Diet Coke and Coke Zero. We want the public to have fun finding the names of their friends and loved ones on our products this summer and to take the time to Share a Coke with them.”

Special limited edition Coca-Cola bottles will be available throughout the summer – and don’t forget if you can’t find the name you want there are plenty of “friends” marked bottles out there.

For more information on Coca-Cola, visit the Coca-Cola Facebook page at www.facebook.com/cocacola. Don’t forget to visit us for all the latest drinks news – www.facebook.com/drinksbrands.

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ZEO, the adult drink aimed as an alternative evening beverage for those who don’t drink alcohol, has launched three new flavours to compliment its existing brand.

The drink, which is sold in select bars and premier outlets such as Harvey Nichols is now available in Zest (a mixture of tropical peaches, grapefruit), Crush (orange, lime and lemon) and Burst (Tahitian lime zest and flesh) flavours, all of which are mixed with Zeo’s unique combination of 32 herbs and botanicals.

Each Zeo drink contains less than 59 calories meaning not only are they great for those refraining from the excesses of alcohol, Zeo drinks are great for people looking after their weight.

New packaging has been designed for each product by the Blue Marlin agency.

Speaking on their behalf, Simon Pendry, Creative Director at Blue Marlin London, said: “Rather than relying as much on the subtleties of mystery and sensuality which were so prevalent in ZEO’s market debut, the new design focuses on bold standout and the intriguing origin of the drink.”

Freedrinks Ltd CEO Martin Hall, added: “ZEO’s launch sets out the intent of Freedrinks Ltd, whose aim is to bring innovation into the soft drinks market. Blue Marlin has been one of our partners from the very beginning. With expertise and commitment, they’ve helped the ZEO brand communicate its unique offer, style, and story with a stunning beautiful design.”

To discover more about the new ZEO adult soft drink, visit the ZEO Facebook page www.facebook.com/SeekZEO. To get all the latest drinks news in your Facebook newsfeed, like us at www.facebook.com/drinksbrands.

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Levi Roots brand drinks has launched a new on-pack campaign, “Play & Win £10 Notes,” with a total of £20million on offer throughout the duration of the competition.

To win, users must look at their bottle and find the special 10 digit code, which they then must enter via the Levi Roots website www.leviroots.com/win.

Once entered, the user will then be challenged to a music-based game. Winners will be sent a £10 note directly to their home.

Speaking about the competition, Emma Hunt, Marketing Manager at Levi Roots, said: “Everyone who enters can win a cash prize and, as the promotion will run across a number of products, we hope this will encourage consumers to try other products in the Levi Roots range.

“This is the first major promotion for the soft drinks brand since it was launched so we wanted to make a real impact to support the trade and, with a £20m prize pot, it will drive a lot of trial during the crucial summer trading period.”

For more information on Levi Roots products, visit the Levi Roots Facebook page at www.facebook.com/reggaereggaesauce. For the latest drinks news in your Facebook newsfeed, don’t forget to follow us at www.facebook.com/drinksbrands.

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Fruit Shoot has teamed up with children’s television channel Nickelodeon in its latest on-pack promotion, which is offering kids the chance to improve their ‘skills.’

The activities-based promotion is giving away a range of vouchers so that kids can get outdoors and become active over the summer, trying out new hobbies such as Breakdancing, Skateboarding and Soccer Freestyling.

To improve the buzz and get children on-board with the idea of trying something new, Fruit Shoot will also be sending its Fruit Shoot Skill Crew across the country, who will appear at various high-footfall locations, including shopping centres, performing and attempting to interact and engage with children.

Speaking about the Get Your Skills On promotion, Jonathan Gatward, Marketing Director for Britvic Soft Drinks GB, said: “We know that active skills give children an outlet for expressing their emerging personalities and ultimately making them feel more confident about who they are.

“The new Get Your Skills On campaign will provide retailers with a promotion that really engages parents and children, encouraging them to stay active. Kids tell us that Robinsons Fruit Shoot is the coolest kids brand around and this new campaign will help to make it even more popular, driving incremental sales of the range for retailers. We’d therefore recommend that retailers get stocked up to take advantage of demand resulting from our marketing communications to consumers.”

The Fruit Shoot Get Your Skills On giveaway will appear on packs from the 20th May.

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Robinsons latest advert has gone on air, aiming to promote the popular cordial drink in an advert that is almost a trip back to yesteryear in its depiction of the friendship of two young boys.

Entitles ‘Pals’ the ad follows a day in the life of two young boys at play, with an interesting twist at the end revealing one of them isn’t exactly what it seems.

The advert obviously promotes togetherness and friendship and has a strong family message running through it – all the elements you would expect from one of Britain’s most recognised family brands.

It was first aired on the May Day bank holiday weekend and will contnue to appear on screens throughout the summer.

For more information on Robinsons Cordial, visit the Robinsons Facebook page at www.facebook.com/RobinsonsDrinks. For the latest drink news, visit us on Facebook – www.facebook.com/drinksbrands.

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As you would expect from Innocent, the range contains no added sugar, colouring or preservatives.

Speaking about the launch of 100% Juice for Kids, Gurdeep Loyal, Innocent Kids Marketing Manager, said: “The innocent kids smoothie range has seen strong growth over the last few years and we are the leading player in the chilled juice aisle.

“Our new 100% juice for kids gives mums and dads even more delicious ways of getting fruit into their little ones – it’s perfect for lunchboxes and family days out, with a full portion of fruit in every carton.”

Four pack cartons of Innocent 100% Juice for Kids are available in either orange or apple flavour and retail for £2.79.

To find out more about Innocent drinks, head to the official Innocent drinks Facebook page and don’t forget to follow us at www.facebook.com/drinksbrands.

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Fanta has taken a different direction with its new Play Fanta campaign, creating an animated graphic novel to spread its message.

The story, called ‘Saving the Source’ follows a bunch of teenagers – similarly drawn to the recent Fanta animated adverts – who attempt to bring ‘Play’ back to their town, which seems to have lost its spirit of fun.

Created in several different formats, so in theory it should work whatever you’re using to view the graphic novel, Saving the Source is also available in a printed version.

Speaking about the introduction of the Play Fanta concept, Wendy Clark, senior VP- Sparkling Brand Center at Coca-Cola is quoted as saying: “At its core, Fanta seeks to be the champion of play for teens. And science tells us teens need more play.”

To have a look at the story yourself, head down to www.fanta.com/playfanta.

For more information on Fanta, visit the Fanta Facebook page at www.facebook.com/fanta. Find out more about the latest drinks news in your Facebook newsfeed by following us at www.facebook.com/drinksbrands.

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Up to now, the reformulation of Sprite in the UK has been the most under-celebrated events in the soft drink world – despite the fact that on the surface this is a huge move for a major international brand.

As part of Coca-Cola’s strategy to make soft drinks more diet-friendly, Sprite was given a complete reformulation of its main brand via the introduction of Stevia at a time when many other brands were introducing this ingredient in their diet product ranges.

Now, to celebrate this fact, an advert has been created to promote the changes in the Sprite formulation whilst reaching to the core of its audience, a young and vibrant set of consumers looking fro a thirst-quenching soft drink.

The ad, which encourages people to ‘Rediscover Sprite’ will run from May until June and ends by promoting the fact Sprite now contains 30% less calories.

Speaking about the new Sprite advert, Zoe Howorth, marketing director for Coca-Cola Great Britain, said: “Our new advert playfully relaunches Sprite and its refreshed, reduced sugar formula by showing a lighter side of life. The summer-feel of the advert reflects the fact that the drink is now on the shelves in the UK and reflects Coca-Cola’s ongoing commitment to providing people with great tasting drinks, with fewer calories.”

Fore more information, follow the Sprite Facebook page at www.facebook.com/sprite and don’t forget to pay a visit to our Facebook page too – www.facebook.com/drinksbrands

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Perrier has turned to pop art legend, Andy Warhol, in its latest initiative to mark 150 years of Perrier Water.

Using Warhol’s iconic style of vivid contrasting colours and outline imagery stripped of its depth, there are four designs in total and will appear across the range of Perrier cans and bottles.

Although it could be argued that a homage to the Warhol style could easily be recreated and has no relevance to the artist, Perrier does have a connection to Warhol, who passed away in 1987, as Warhol actually created an advert for Perrier water which was used during the 1980s.

Speaking about the Andy Warhol inspired Perrier designs, Giacomo Giacani, Senior Customer Marketing Manager, Perrier UK, said: “Perrier is a brand known for its style and these great Andy Warhol inspired designs are a great way to celebrate our 150th anniversary.

“With summer on the way, Perrier is a drink that can be enjoyed on-the-go and at home. This colourful range will really give Perrier stand out on-shelf and catch the eye of consumers.”

Thanks to their vibrancy and unusual pop art style, these 150th anniversary edition bottles are sure to catch the attention of consumers when they sit on shelves. No doubt they will even become a collectors item.

For more information on Perrier water, visit the Perrier Facebook page at www.facebook.com/perrier Don’t forget to like us while you’re there – www.facebook.com/drinksbrands

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