Premium vodka-based RTD brand Four Loko has released its new limited edition flavour, Black, which consists of a surprisingly green serve.
With notes of kiwi and an ABV of 8.4 per cent, Four Loko Black delivers a fresh and fruity blast to “excite the senses”, while the striking black and green can delivers high on-shelf visibility to help maximise sales and encourage shoppers to the fixture.
“With the festive season now upon us, this is the perfect time for consumers to get their hands on this limited edition release and embrace the season with an exciting new taste sensation,” said Clark McIlroy, Managing Director of Four Loko distributor Red Star Brands.
Four Loko Black is now available in 440ml cans, RRP £3.49, for a limited time only. Sales support focusing on the new ‘Party in a Can’ campaign includes a range of in-store POS material featuring shelf barkers, wobblers and digital aisle fins, as well as high-profile social media and influencer campaigns.
“We know that NPD drives consumer interest in the RTD category so we’re excited to add some more vibrant colour in the run-up to Christmas,” added McIlroy. “Dark Berry Burst launched in May 2024 and is now the number two fastest-selling SKU behind Four Loko White, so we have high hopes for Black.
“The fact that premium priced RTDs have grown faster than any other segment in the last two years means that there are some great opportunities out there for retailers to capitalise on this popularity.”
The launch of Four Loko Black is being supported by the “Party in a Can” campaign, designed to engage the brand’s target Gen Z audience through multiple platforms and social media channels. The campaign encourages consumers to share their #FourLokoMoments – authentic, fun experiences where Four Loko is part of the celebration. This user-generated content approach will help create organic brand ambassadors, showcasing real-life enjoyment of Four Loko and highlighting the spirit of #PartyInACan.
Selected entrants will have the chance to receive exclusive merchandise and become part of Four Loko’s brand story. To further support the launch, Four Loko has also partnered with Snappy Shopper in Scotland for Black Friday promotions, offering exclusive deals on For Loko Black during the festive season.
“The idea is to bring to life the brand’s authentic, bold positioning while driving deeper connections through social engagement,” added McIlroy. “This exciting campaign is anchored by out-of-home executions and influencer content that complement these consumer-driven stories.”
Four Loko’s premium vodka-based, caffeine-free RTDs are all available in 440ml cans. The launch of Four Loko Black brings the total range available to 10 flavours; other variants include Pink Melon, Dark Berry Burst, White, Strawberry Lemonade, Tropical, Blue, Fruit Punch, Gold and Tutti Frutti (all 8.4 per cent ABV).
To offer better value to shoppers and to help retailers encourage basket spend, Rockstar Energy is launching a new price-marked pack (PMP) proposition across its range. Available from the new year, Rockstar’s “£2 for £2” PMP aims to provide greater value for shoppers, particularly appealing to frequent energy drink buyers.
Stimulant energy drinks are growing by 5.8 per cent year on year and are adding the most value (£50.3m) to convenience. PMPs play a key role in communicating value to consumers, with 51 per cent of shoppers feeling reassured that they are not being overcharged when purchasing PMPs. Rockstar Energy is well-positioned to support the convenience channel. The new multibuy PMP aims to boost sales and drive basket spend by offering energy drink customers greater value across popular Rockstar flavours.
“Our new multi-buy ‘2 for £2’ PMP comes at an ideal time to help retailers capitalise on the strong sales performance of energy drinks,” said Ben Parker, Commercial Director for Britvic. “With stimulant energy now the number one soft drink segment in convenience it is more important than ever for us to support the channel by offering products that meet the high demand for energy drinks and provide value. With flavours and no sugar driving the category forward, growing +8.3 per cent and +3.9 per cent respectively, the new PMP makes Rockstar Energy the go-to choice for every energy fan.”
The new PMP will roll out across the entire range, including Tropical Guava, Blueberry Pomegranate, Mango, and several Zero Sugar options, including Blueberry, Watermelon & Kiwi, and Strawberry & Lime. Rockstar Energy’s new multi-buy PMP will roll out across convenience and wholesale in the new year in conjunction with the existing £1.29 PMP offer.
Tŷ Nant, a symbol of Welsh luxury and premium hydration, has announced the strategic acquisition of Fonthill Water and Decantae Mineral Water from the US-based Primo Water Corporation.
Tŷ Nant said the acquisition will elevate its status as one of the UK's leading premium water brands, following closely on the heels of acquiring the premium Welsh water and mixer brand, Llanllyr Source in late 2023.
Primo Water is a leading player in North America's beverage industry with a multi-billion dollar market cap and an EBITDA of $500 million in 2023.
Decantae Mineral Water, known for its pristine quality sourced from the foothills of Snowdonia, has been a leader in the premium bottled water sector in the UK and Europe. The acquisition of Decantae brings new packaging innovations to Tŷ Nant's line-up, including cuplets for travel retail and healthcare, complementing its existing glass and PET bottles.
Fonthill Spring Water, with its origins in the historic Fonthill Bishop Estate in Wiltshire owned by Lord Margadale, is celebrated for its naturally filtered, high-quality spring water. This acquisition not only broadens Tỳ Nant's geographical footprint but also enhances its product range with another iconic British water source and introduces Tŷ Nant to the water cooler market, targeting commercial, educational, and healthcare sectors with its 15L bottles.
Raminder Sidhu, chairman of Tŷ Nant, highlighted the synergy in these acquisitions, stating: “Our commitment to sustainability, innovation, and exceptional customer service aligns perfectly with the ethos of Decantae and Fonthill. These acquisitions are pivotal in our vision to grow our diversified super-premium adult beverage group, where each product carries a deep sense of provenance, alongside our commitment to premium and sustainable offerings.”
In a market increasingly driven by consumer demand for quality and sustainability, Tŷ Nant has been recognised as the UK's fastest-growing bottled water company in the Alantra Fast 50 this year, and ranked as the overall 4th fastest growing food and beverage company in the UK. This recognition is particularly impressive given that Tŷ Nant is already profitable, securing the highest average price per litre among all British mineral and spring water brands.
Looking ahead, Sidhu outlined ambitious plans for 2025. “We are poised for an exciting year continuing the tremendous growth we have experienced for the last four years. We will continue to innovate across our portfolio. We're introducing aluminium bottles and cans as an eco-friendly alternative to traditional packaging and refreshing the 'contemporary classical' look for Llanllyr Source. Moreover, we're set to launch new flavours from our award-winning Kings Hill small batch gin distillery in the Pentland Hills, Edinburgh and we are expanding into 10 new export markets.”
Natural energy drink brand TENZING has launched its first Christmas ad campaign – calling for the return of the original Santa Claus. The 60-second video looks at the changing physique of Father Christmas having signed a sponsorship deal with a famous sugary drink brand over 100 years ago.
The jolly character, depicted as he’s now known, did not always sport a round belly and bursting belt. Back in the day he was slim and strong, a powerhouse of festive energy – hauling trees and presents himself. No sleigh, no reindeer, and definitely no truck. In the video, we see Santa having to make a decision; continue with the cash or opt for a healthier alternative. The ad ends with the return of the original Santa, half the man, fuelled with double the energy having chosen to drink TENZING.
The Christmas campaign has been launched in support of the brand’s latest launch – Fiery Mango, which is the first energy drink of its kind created specifically for the winter months. Unlike Santa’s current soft drink of choice, this innovative new recipe is 100 per cent plant-based and boasts a powerful combination of natural ingredients from Vitamin D and C to Magnesium and Lion's Mane. It would be perfect for fuelling Santa over the festive period when vitamin D levels, energy levels, mood and immunity are all notoriously low. It’s the clean, natural energy he needs to power his sleigh the way he used to – no truck required.
The advert is launching with Lad Bible, Google and TikTok today
Pepsi MAX has debuted its Christmas advert and UK-wide festive campaign, including a prime time slot during the first episode of the new series of I’m a Celebrity: Get Me Out of Here! Edits will also run across TV, BVOD, Audio, Digital and Social.
The TVC ad kicks off the brand’s Christmas campaign that highlights how one of the most magical parts about the holiday season is that it's acceptable to park the to-do list, and put that extra time and energy into the stuff we really enjoy.
The ad is sound-tracked to a remix of the festive classic, It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas, by up and coming UK artist, Poppy Adjudha, and showcases how life’s ‘have-to-do’s’ like work, the heading to the gym and studying can wait until January, putting a spotlight on how Pepsi MAX is an ally for Christmas fun and enjoyment as friends and family come together.
The out of home campaign features different scenes from the TVC showcasing a deserted office, gym and library, alongside taglines "Spreadsheets can wait, it’s Xmas after all", "Leg day can wait, it’s Xmas after all" and "10,000 words can wait, it’s Xmas after all". This will be supported by OOH creative that focuses on a Pepsi MAX can, alongside slogans that highlight the joy of embracing the Christmas season and ladder up to the "It Can Wait" campaign, such as "all day PJs for the win, it’s Xmas after all". The campaign will also run across Digital on Meta, Snapchat, YouTube shorts, in addition to Digital OOH.
Steven Hind, Senior Marketing Director, Beverages UK & Western Europe commented: “The festive season is all about making memories and having fun with those we love, and taking the time to enjoy the festive season. As December hits, we know that a lot of things – whether that be work, studying or working out, can very much feel like a January problem as we all look to prioritise those precious moments together instead. Our Christmas ad really brings to life this ‘tools down’ mentality to prioritise enjoyment during the festive period, while also embodying our brand ethos of being ‘thirsty for more’.”
Coca-Cola’s iconic The World Needs More Santas ad has returned to the nation’s screens, building excitement ahead of the festive season.
The advert aims to remind everyone that one act of Christmas kindness can bring out the ‘inner Santa’ in each of us, supported by video-on-demand, cinema, and out-of-home advertising. The ad features a cover of Anyone Can Be Santa by British singer-songwriter Celeste.
“Coca-Cola has been bringing people together at Christmas for more than 130 years, and this year is no different,” Rob Yeomans, vice-president, commercial development at Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP) GB, said.
“As the biggest soft drinks brand in GB, Coca-Cola has become a festive staple thanks to its iconic and eagerly awaited Christmas campaigns, famous Coca-Cola truck and on-pack promotions, making it a must-stock for retailers this season.”
Soft drinks remain a staple of Christmas occasions and generated more value sales at Christmas 2023 than any year previously, with Coca-Cola the soft drink of choice for more than 10m households.