SOBE LAUNCHES FUERTE, ITS FIRST BEVERAGE TO TARGET THE LATINO MARKET
ompany's first beverage inspired by the Latino market. The new mango passion-fruit blend will be available in the Texas, San Diego and South Florida markets this month and will carry the tagline, "SoBe Tu Mismo," which translates to "SoBe Yourself."
The flavor's name translates to "strength," and it will be enhanced with Jamaica extract, yerba matte and guarana, all ingredients indigenous to Latin countries.
While SoBe Fuerte was developed to be a part of the existing 20-ounce product line, it will be strongly supported in the Hispanic markets with Spanish-language radio and point of sale materials. The SoBe Love Buses will also sample at select Hispanic-focused youth events this summer.
SoBe Fuerte will be line-priced with other SoBe Beverages, ranging from $1.09 to $1.49, and will be available at convenience stores, gas marts, grocery stores, delis, and other retailers where SoBe Beverages are sold.
CAMPBELL SOUP CO. ADDS A TWIST OF LEMON TO ITS V8 VEGETABLE JUICE
Camden, N.J. -- Campbell Soup Co. has begun adding a twist of lemon to the V8 100% Vegetable Juice blend of tomatoes, carrots, celery, beets, parsley, lettuce, watercress and spinach. The result is the new Lemon Twist V8.
An eight-ounce serving of V8 contains essential vitamins A and C, and is a good source of potassium. In addition to original V8 and new Lemon Twist, the line of V8 vegetable juices also includes Calcium Enriched V8 vegetable juice, 100% A-C-E Vitamin Rich V8 vegetable juice, Low Sodium V8 vegetable juice and Spicy Hot V8 vegetable juice.
The introduction of V8 juice's newest addition is being supported with an integrated marketing campaign, including a television commercial, targeted print advertising, in-store activity and a freestanding insert. On-pack coupons and in-store shelf-talkers are also planned.
Lemon Twist V8 juice is expected to achieve national distribution by the end of this month. The product is available in two sizes -- multi-serve, 46-ounce PET and single-serve, 12-ounce glass bottles for convenience stores. The suggested retail prices are $2.79 and $1.19, respectively.
COTT REPORTS RECORD RESULTS FOR 1Q, OPERATING INCOME UP 35%
TORONTO -- Cott Corp. here, the world's largest retailer-brand soft-drink supplier, extended its profitable operating performance into the fifth year by announcing record sales and earnings per share for the first quarter ended March 29. The company reported an operating income of $24.8 million, up 35% from last year's $18.4 million.
"Fueled by growth with key customers, this performance adds to Cott's forward momentum," said Frank E . Weise, Cott's chairman, president and chief executive officer. He said the acceleration of sales is a result of Cott's enhanced retailer-brand offerings to existing customers, and he predicted that 2003 would also be a good year.
Its core market is the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.
TALKINGRAIN ADDS NEW SPARKLING LINE TO ITS DIET ICE BEVERAGE PORTFOLIO
Preston, Wash. -- TalkingRain Beverage Co. has added a new Sparkling line of Diet ICE to its top-selling beverage line of Diet ICE Botanicals.
The products come in four flavors -- Black Raspberry, Orange Mango, Pink Grapefruit and Harvest Peach. These are lightly carbonated beverages comprised of spring water with juice, and sweetened with Splenda with no sodium or caffeine. Sparkling Diet ICE offers 100% of the recommended daily allowance of vitamins C and E, and delivers only six calories and two grams of carbohydrates per eight-ounce serving.
The new Sparkling line is packaged in a new patented grip bottle that holds the carbonation. The company anticipates that the new line will bring 25% growth in overall sales within club stores and a 15% to 20% increase in company sales overall. The Diet ICE Botanical product line debuted in 1998, and contributes significantly to the company's estimated $25 million in annual sales.
Consumers can buy the product at Costco Wholesale Stores throughout the Northwest, Texas and Southern California.
