Brands news - Ready To Drink Rss news feed for Morning Advertiser

WKD TV ads return

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 07:00:00 GMT

The Have You Got a WKD Side? campaign for the Beverage Brands-owned WKD range of RTDs, returns to TV screens for the second time this year.

Relaunch boost for Reloaded RTD

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 08:21:00 GMT

Halewood International is investing again in the RTD category with a new variant, a new look and the first campaign in four years for Red Square.

Beverage Brands unveils responsible drinking campaign

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 06:50:00 GMT

WKD producer Beverage Brands has unveiled a major new responsible drinking campaign.

WKD shades it

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 09:01:00 GMT

WKD is giving away thousands of free pairs of sunglasses to on-trade consumers as part of a £1m prize promotion giveaway.

Extra support for WKD

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 11:01:00 GMT

WKD has unveiled two new campaigns to support the brand this month — on billboards and on radio.

49-calorie VK targets female consumers

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 12:17:00 GMT

Weight-conscious women looking for a lower alcohol tipple are the target of the latest VK Vodka Kick variant set to hit the market.

WKD Red offers £1,000 cash prizes

Mon, 20 Apr 2009 07:49:00 GMT

WKD Red is running a scratch-card promotion offering consumers the chance to win cash prizes of up to £1,000.

New WKD ad to air this month

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 03:36:00 GMT

The 30-second ad in the "Have you got a WKD side" is to air on TV until early May.

RTDs go for lower abvs

Thu, 05 Mar 2009 08:04:00 GMT

The RTD market is experiencing a shake-up this month as two of the biggest brands announce reformulations.

Global Brands in JLS tour sponsorship

Mon, 16 Feb 2009 09:23:00 GMT

Global Brands is to sponsor X-Factor runners up JLS on their 10-date tour of Luminar venues.

WKD ideas for 14 Feb

Thu, 05 Feb 2009 09:33:00 GMT

Pubs can now display tongue-in-cheek WKD posters to help guide men through the romantic challenges of Valentine’s Day.

Portman orders changes to Red Star Plus packaging

Wed, 28 Jan 2009 04:04:00 GMT

Industry watchdog the Portman Group has ordered Intercontinental Brands to change the packaging of its Red Star Plus drink.

VK Vodka Kick secures O2 arena deal

Mon, 19 Jan 2009 08:14:00 GMT

Global Brands has secured a three-year listing for its VK Vodka Kick drink at the O2 arena.

Ivy Tavern nets WKD footie kit

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 03:27:00 GMT

Lucky licensee Steve Whittaker, of the Ivy Tavern in Lincoln, has bagged his pub team a brand new football kit, courtesy of WKD.

Smirnoff Ice glows

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 09:17:00 GMT

The first limited-edition bottle for RTD Smirnoff Ice has been revealed as part of the brand’s 10-year anniversary celebrations.

WKD links up with Ricky Hatton

Wed, 22 Oct 2008 08:07:00 GMT

Beverage Brands has signed a deal for its WKD brand to sponsor boxer Ricky Hatton's new show on Nuts TV.

Bacardi kits out pubs

Thu, 18 Sep 2008 12:49:00 GMT

Bacardi has supported the on-trade with a summer drinks campaign named: “Discover Your Summer Spirit”.

New pub TV ads for WKD

Thu, 18 Sep 2008 08:15:00 GMT

WKD has launched a series of four new TV ads to be shown exclusively on Sky's Pub Channel.

Guinness, Smirnoff and Baileys help Diageo sales

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 11:56:00 GMT

Guinness gets its highest share ever of the beer category, despite flat sales.

Global Brands launches 70cl Apple VK Kick

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 07:47:00 GMT

Apple flavoured VK Vodka Kick will now be available in 70cl bottles after a surge in demand, says Global Brands.

Red Square Reloaded ordered to stress alcoholic content

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 09:21:00 GMT

Alcopop Red Square Reloaded has been ordered to alter its packaging to make it clear the drink contains alcohol.

Diageo searches for perfect pub atmosphere

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 06:46:00 GMT

Diageo has commissioned a nationwide survey for Smirnoff of over 1,300 men and women between 18-35 years to define the perfect atmosphere in bars, clubs and venues.

WKD Competition for new footie season

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 03:07:00 GMT

WKD are marking the start of the football season by giving one lucky MA reader the chance to re-enact classic Premier League clashes with their very own table football.

WKD talks footie tactics

Thu, 31 Jul 2008 07:09:00 GMT

Beverage Brands has published two WKD footie tactics sheets providing licensees with tips on how they can drive footfall and generate business throughout the football season.

WKD launches new cinema ad

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 04:12:00 GMT

WKD has launched a new cinema ad campaign to tie in with the start of the football season.

WKD plans footie-related pub kits

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 04:51:00 GMT

Beverage Brands will be offering licensees the chance to receive football-related pub kits, downloads and offers for its WKD brand in the run-up to the start of the Premiership season.

Vodka smoothie from ICB

Fri, 30 May 2008 12:46:00 GMT

InterContinental Brands (ICB) has launched the first alcoholic smoothie and will back it with two TV sponsorship deals

Vodka smoothie from ICB

Thu, 29 May 2008 12:00:00 GMT

InterContinental Brands (ICB) has launched the first alcoholic smoothie and will back it with two TV sponsorship deals. Vodkat Smoothies is a 12% abv vodka-flavoured drink available in four flavours: Cassis; Apple & Strawberry; Apple & Mango; Orange & Passionfruit; and Cranberry & Raspberry.

Beverage unveils WKD plans

Thu, 29 May 2008 12:00:00 GMT

Beverage Brands UK has unveiled a new television advertising campaign to support the recent repackaging launch of WKD. The company said that its "tongue-in-cheek, late-night advertising" has been designed to attract its core audience of 18 to 25-year- olds who are "light TV viewers and like..

WKD to be repackaged

Thu, 08 May 2008 01:50:00 GMT

Beverage Brands is repackaging WKD to freshen up its visual appearance

Australia raises alcopop tax by 70%

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 06:56:00 GMT

Australia has raised tax on alcopops by 70% in a bid to combat binge drinking

WKD's shamrock St Patrick's push

Thu, 21 Feb 2008 12:00:00 GMT

WKD is adding a typically irreverent dash of fun to help pubs get into the spirit of St Patrick's Day in the form of Shamrock Head kits. The kits contain a batch of shamrock heads, five A2 posters and a briefing sheet for the licensee that explains the promotion and how to further generate rate..

VK Mojito: a real RTD

Thu, 21 Feb 2008 12:00:00 GMT

The drinks manufacturer behind VK Vodka Kick has created what it claims is the first authentic RTD cocktail. The VK Mojito range is the result of research by Global Brands, which showed a gap in the market for a hybrid product that "could invigorate the RTD category and excite and inspire..

SoCo promo evokes Mardi Gras

Thu, 17 Jan 2008 05:51:00 GMT

Southern Comfort is putting pubs at the centre of its plans with a £1m carnival-themed promotion.

WKD launches outdoor poster campaign

Tue, 11 Dec 2007 12:33:00 GMT

Beverage Brands has launched a new outdoor poster campaign for its RTD WKD as part of its £4m Christmas marketing spend

InterContinental appoints Nash as non-exec chair

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 03:23:00 GMT

InterContinental Brands (ICB), producer of alcopop Vodkat, has appointed Andy Nash as non-executive chairman

California bans alcopops from supermarkets

Mon, 19 Nov 2007 05:59:00 GMT

California has voted to ban alcopops from supermarket shelves in a bid to combat underage drinking

Halewood does Splitz with shots

Thu, 15 Nov 2007 12:00:00 GMT

Halewood International is launching a new version of its Sidekick shot drinks range, with a 3cl pot divided into two chambers containing different flavours. The brand will be known as Splitz and will be available in five flavour combinations: strawberries and cream; sour cherry and cola;

WKD creates festive cheer

Wed, 07 Nov 2007 06:00:00 GMT

WKD is aiming to create a laugh in pubs this Christmas as part of a £4m marketing campaign

Quinn's dumped as sales slump

Thu, 14 Jun 2007 10:36:00 GMT

Diageo has pulled the plug on its Quinn's RTD, launched just last year with an £8.5m marketing spend.

Bacardi-Martini closes plant

Thu, 08 Mar 2007 12:00:00 GMT

Bacardi-Martini is to close its Southampton bottling plant in response to "continued and significant" ready-to-drink (RTD) sector decline. Announcing a "period of consolidation", the company said that manufacturing and bottling of Bacardi Breezer, and bottling of Bacardi rum, will switch to..

WKD launches new TV ad campaign

Tue, 06 Mar 2007 08:31:00 GMT

WKD is launching a national TV advertising campaign that it hopes will appeal to young adult male drinkers.

Bacardi-Martini closes Southampton plant

Fri, 02 Mar 2007 09:40:00 GMT

The company blames "significant decline" in the RTD sector

Ready to bounce back

Thu, 09 Nov 2006 12:00:00 GMT

After a difficult period, the RTD market is finally showing some signs of recovery. Nigel Huddleston finds out more

Global Brands looks forward to weekends with a vodka kick

Fri, 06 Oct 2006 12:35:00 GMT

Global Brands is stepping up the marketing for VK Vodka Kick with a new push aligning the RTD with weekend fun.

Vodka - in a can

Thu, 05 Oct 2006 12:00:00 GMT

Halewood International is rolling out vodka energy drink Red Square Reloaded in a can. The 250ml format, marketed as "Ibiza in a can", will be available alongside the original glass bottles. The 5.1% abv liquid remains unchanged. Halewood head of marketing Richard Clark said: "We need to keep..

Diageo challenges ASA decision

Thu, 05 Oct 2006 12:00:00 GMT

Diageo has called for an independent investigation into a decision by watchdogs to uphold a complaint against TV adverts for Smirnoff Ice. The Advertising Standards Agency (ASA) ruled that an advert for the RTD which featured Uri, an Eastern European, held strong appeal for youngsters because it..

Drinks ads fall foul of new rules

Wed, 27 Sep 2006 09:17:00 GMT

Television ads for Diageo RTD Smirnoff Ice and Beverage Brands' WKD have become the first to be banned under new tougher advertising laws.

Global Brands kicks off VK Vodka

Thu, 14 Sep 2006 12:00:00 GMT

VK Vodka Kick, owned by Global Brands, is building on its football connection with a raft of advertising planned for the start of the new season.

WKD tracks down sales data

Thu, 07 Sep 2006 01:07:00 GMT

Beverage Brands is unveiling a new category-management initiative to help licensees make the most of space in their fridges.

Brand Report - Drinkers side with offbeat WKD

Thu, 07 Sep 2006 12:00:00 GMT

In a declining market, Beverage Brands' investment in its RTD has paid off.

Cinzano unveils Spritzz Up drink

Fri, 21 Jul 2006 02:44:00 GMT

Cinzano is launching its first extension to the brand in 144 years in a bid to attract a younger generation of drinkers.

Quinn’s ripe for Diageo

Fri, 14 Jul 2006 01:28:00 GMT

Diageo is launching a TV ad campaign for Quinn’s fruit ferment as part of an £8.5m marketing splash behind the newcomer.

Red Bull foray into alcoholic drinks

Thu, 18 May 2006 12:00:00 GMT

Thai wine-based RTD Sabai - energy drink company Red Bull's first foray into alcoholic drinks - is to be launched nationally after a year-long test in 400 bars.

WKD launches Easter promo

Wed, 12 Apr 2006 01:39:00 GMT

WKD is hoping to maximise retailers’ sales at Easter with a fun-filled promotion — backed up with an advertising campaign.

Blueberry joins Half Sugar range

Thu, 06 Apr 2006 12:00:00 GMT

Bacardi Breezer has added a new flavour to its Half Sugar range, which now accounts for 30% of total Breezer sales.

Cherry nice

Mon, 13 Mar 2006 02:04:00 GMT

Halewood International is adding a cherry variant to its Red Square on-trade portfolio.

Fruitier new style for Diageo RTD

Thu, 09 Mar 2006 04:44:00 GMT

Diageo is looking to reinvent the RTD market with the introduction of a new style of drink.

VK on track for 2006

Tue, 21 Feb 2006 10:30:00 GMT

Vodka Kick will continue their sponsorship of the Stobart Honda British Superbikes team.

Funky Monkey brand doesn’t target kids

Thu, 16 Feb 2006 11:38:00 GMT

A complaint that vodka shot Funky Monkey appeals to under 18s has been dismissed

Halewood in Reloaded Red Square drive

Thu, 01 Dec 2005 12:00:00 GMT

Halewood International has launched a 48-sheet poster ad campaign for its Red Square Reloaded brand advertising campaign.

RTD trades on 'responsibility'

Thu, 17 Nov 2005 12:00:00 GMT

A new RTD that aims to tackle the trade's anxieties about social responsibility and spiking is being tested in student bars across the country

Big festive push for cheeky WKD

Thu, 10 Nov 2005 12:00:00 GMT

WKD's cheeky humour is returning this month as Beverage Brands launches its biggest-ever festive push for the RTD brand

Red Square adds Blue Juice varietal

Thu, 15 Sep 2005 12:00:00 GMT

Halewood International has added a second Juiced varietal to its Red Square Reloaded range, in an attempt to attract more 18 to 24-year-olds to the RTD category. Blue Juice is a blend of blueberry, lemon, guarana and vodka, with a 5.1% abv. Like the original Juiced, the new drink contains 10%..

Mr RTD goes looking for a beer

Thu, 15 Sep 2005 12:00:00 GMT

Steve Perez, the man behind the success of Vodka Kick and Korky's, is looking to add a premium packaged beer to Global Brands' RTD range. Talking excusively to the MA this week, Perez said: 'I'm in discussions with a number of brewers at the moment, and we'll find one that's not available in this..

Red joins Blue as WKD extends RTD offering

Thu, 08 Sep 2005 12:00:00 GMT

by Rosie Davenport Beverage Brands is the latest supplier to inject new life into the RTD sector with the launch of a third flavour in its WKD range. WKD Red comes weeks after Diageo unveiled Slate 20, a bourbon-based RTD, and marks the beginning of a fresh wave of innovation that suppliers hope..

Male market in sights of Slate 20

Thu, 18 Aug 2005 12:00:00 GMT

by Jo de Mille Diageo is hoping a new RTD brand aimed at men can invigorate sales in the flagging market. Slate 20, which is a 4.5% abv blend of bourbon, lime and ginger, has been deliberately packaged to look like a beer bottle in a bid to bring more men into the RTD category. The launch will..

Baileys Glide bites the dust

Thu, 18 Aug 2005 12:00:00 GMT

Diageo has decided to discontinue Baileys Glide after disappointing sales. According to figures from AC Nielsen, sales of the beverage fell from £9.2m to £6.5m for the quarter ending March 2005 a drop of 29%. The drink was intended to cash in on Baileys 60% share of the cream liqueur market,..

Smirnoff Ice starts

Thu, 28 Jul 2005 12:00:00 GMT

cool 'text' contest More than 5,000 Smirnoff Ice branded fridges are up for grabs in a new £1m 'text and win promotion on special bottles. The contest uses their brand figurehead, a character called Uri, who appears in the £4m summer campaign for the brand. Drinkers simply text 'Uri or 'Uri..

Booker's new gadget to end drink spiking

Thu, 21 Jul 2005 12:00:00 GMT

To help licensees encourage safe drinking, Booker has added a device to help prevent drinks being spiked to its portfolio. The 'spikey is inserted into the top of an RTD bottle like a stopper. A straw is then slotted into the top of the spikey and cannot be easily removed, making it difficult to..

WKD side returns

Thu, 14 Jul 2005 12:00:00 GMT

A new burst of TV advertising kicks off this month for WKD. The RTD is back with its 'Have you got a WKD side? campaign. In addition to TV adverts, the brand is rolling out a series of on-trade promotions, such as an instant-win competition to get a free cool bag. A second offer, running in..

Lambrini cherry roll out

Thu, 14 Jul 2005 12:00:00 GMT

Halewood International is introducing its Lambrini cherry variant to the on-trade in 275ml sleeved bottles, as well as relaunching its original variant in the revamped packaging. The launch will be supported by a £2m marketing campaign, which will include a Lambrini Bikini tour of seven beaches..

Red Square backs Pops event

Thu, 23 Jun 2005 12:00:00 GMT

Halewood International is sponsoring Liverpool's Summer Pops event, with its 18-to-30s brand Red Square Reloaded, for two years starting this summer. The Summer Pops event runs from 6 to 24 July, featuring artists including Van Morrison, Lemar, Diana Ross, Jools Holland, Wet Wet Wet and Will Young.

Half-sugar Breezer targets glossy mags

Thu, 12 May 2005 12:00:00 GMT

Consumer advertising for the new Bacardi Breezer Half-Sugar range will focus on women's magazines as the brand homes in on its target audience. There will be posters outside branches of leading supermarkets, in addition to the ads in titles such as Cosmopolitan, Glamour, OK! and Marie Claire. The..

Red Square offers chance to win iPod

Thu, 12 May 2005 12:00:00 GMT

RTD brand Red Square Reloaded is taking to the streets witha nationwide tour, giving away goodies up and down thecountry. The Reloaded bus will visit 10 cities, offering consumers the chance to sample the brand and enter competitions. And Morning Advertiser readers can also get in on the..

Archers Vea aims to pep up RTDs

Thu, 12 May 2005 12:00:00 GMT

by Rosie Davenport Diageo has pledged to fight rival RTD manufacturers on taste and calorie count as it pins its hopes for reviving the category on a new Archers extension. Archers Vea will go head-to-head with fellow newcomer Bacardi Breezer Half-Sugar in the battle to target older women.

Bacardi Breezers offer health kick

Thu, 05 May 2005 12:00:00 GMT

by Rosie Davenport Health-conscious consumers are at the centre of Bacardi Breezer's bid to turn around the ailing RTD sector as it adds a handful of lines to its diet range. In response to tough new guidelines on drinks packaging, Bacardi has launched the Half Sugar line in place of the..

Red Square gets juice blend

Thu, 28 Apr 2005 12:00:00 GMT

Halewood International claims to be bringing in a first to the flagging RTD market with a new version of its Red Square brand that combines fruit juice and caffeine. Reloaded Juiced contains the same taurine-based mix as the regular version, but is combined with cranberry, grape and raspberry..

Pimm's to launch

Thu, 21 Apr 2005 12:00:00 GMT

draught pre-mix Diageo is to launch a draught premixed version of Pimm's and lemonade in 350 pubs this summer. The rollout follows a test in 28 Young's and JD Wetherspoon pubs last year. The new pubs taking the draught Pimm's include a further 100 Wetherspoons. The 5.4% abv drink is dispensed..

Smirnoff Ice unveils Uri ads

Thu, 14 Apr 2005 12:00:00 GMT

Diageo GB has introduced a global ad campaign for its Smirnoff Ice RTD, with the UK the first market to see the TV commercials. There are two ads, Garden and Huskies, the first in 60 and 40-second versions and the second in a 30-second cut. The ads were filmed in Slovakia and focus on the..

Anglo targets milk-based RTD market

Thu, 31 Mar 2005 12:00:00 GMT

The company behind a new RTD brand hopes to defy poor performance of the category by targeting the untapped premium market for milk-based RTDs. Brown Cow, at 4% abv, is made with vodka and real chocolate milk. Producer Anglo Drinks said the recent impressive performance of Vodka Mud-shake,..

WKD plan is hatched for Easter sales

Thu, 17 Mar 2005 12:00:00 GMT

WKD is returning to TV as part of an Easter promotion. WKD's Eggs or Tails promotion will reward consumers with seasonal goodies with "a WKD side" branded Easter Egg Head or Bunny Tail, designed to be worn to "liven up proceedings during the busy holiday period". During the promotion,..

And so to Red as WKD begins trial

Thu, 03 Mar 2005 12:00:00 GMT

by Rosie Davenport Beverage Brands is testing a new variant of its WKD line in a bid to create fresh interest in the RTD sector. A week after announcing it was axing its Silver line to focus on innovation, the company revealed it is trialling WKD Red in Northern Ireland. Marketing director..

Silver gets the bullet in WKD brands shake-up

Thu, 24 Feb 2005 12:00:00 GMT

by Rosie Davenport Beverage Brands has pledged to focus on bringing new products to the RTD market after axing WKD Silver. The supplier said it took the decision to shrink its WKD portfolio to encourage licensees to focus on the better-selling lines Blue and Iron Brew. Silver was..

Dillon's launches tamper-proof RTD

Thu, 06 Jan 2005 12:00:00 GMT

A new ready-to-drink brand, which uses Irish spirit potcheen as its base, is being launched. Dillon's Spirits, producer of Dillon's Potcheen Clear, is launching Still Ice in a tamper-proof, PET bottle, said to combat drinks spiking. Still Ice is a blend of potcheen, citrus and mineral water,..

Movers and shakers

Thu, 16 Dec 2004 12:00:00 GMT

Once a supplier has achieved a listing in a pub, getting sales is the easy part. But which brands are making the most strides and gaining in terms of distribution? In a unique snapshot, Rosie Davenport and Dizziana Rossi report on the on-trade's fastest-growing brands It's official: Smirnoff is..

Smirnoff is crowned the fastest move

Thu, 16 Dec 2004 12:00:00 GMT

Smirnoff has stolen a march on its rivals to claim the title of the fastest-growing on-trade product of the year. The stalwart brand gained the most new listings in pubs in the spirits and ready-to-drink categories. These were the findings of exclusive Morning Advertiser research, produced by..

Reloaded targets cult status

Thu, 09 Dec 2004 12:00:00 GMT

Halewood hopes to create a cult following for its Red Square Reloaded drink through a national clubbing promotion

Global adds coconut to Corky's shots

Thu, 09 Dec 2004 12:00:00 GMT

Global Brands is adding a new coconut variant to its Corky's Vodka Shots range

Have you got a WKD side?' returns to TV

Thu, 25 Nov 2004 12:00:00 GMT

Beverage Brands is shelling out £5m for a fresh TV campaign behind WKD

Roxxoff to relaunch despite blacklisting

Thu, 11 Nov 2004 12:00:00 GMT

Controversial RTD Roxxoff is set to re-launch despite being blacklisted by the Portman Group under its Code of Practice

Red Square goodies to be won

Thu, 04 Nov 2004 12:00:00 GMT

Halewood International and the Morning Advertiser are giving away batches of Sidekick and Red Square Reloaded as an early Christmas present to 10 lucky licensees

Entering the spirit world

Thu, 04 Nov 2004 12:00:00 GMT

The popularity of spirits offers the best indication for future innovation in RTDs

Eire urges ban on six alcopops

Thu, 04 Nov 2004 12:00:00 GMT

Irish publicans are being advised not to stock a range of alcopops on the grounds that they are likely to encourage binge drinking and drunkenness among young people

Ice highlights its Smirnoff status

Thu, 04 Nov 2004 12:00:00 GMT

Smirnoff vodka is being used as the hook for Smirnoff Ice's pre-Christmas push as Diageo attempts to build a stronger link between the RTD (ready-to-drink) and its parent spirit brand

Pub chains cut back on RTD brands

Thu, 04 Nov 2004 12:00:00 GMT

High-street pub chains are slashing the number of ready-to-drink brands on shelves to concentrate on stocking more profitable lines

Battle of the bottle

Thu, 04 Nov 2004 12:00:00 GMT

In the face of steep decline, suppliers of ready-to-drinks (RTDs) are desperate to come up with the next innovation to capture consumer interest