NEWS GENERAL:
Code consultation events kick-off
The first in a series of 10 government-run consultation events on the controversial mandatory code of practice kicked off Tuesday 7th July in Newcastle. Over the next six weeks, the events will give licensees the chance to have their say on the code, designed to crackdown on irresponsible promotions and operators.
http://www.thepublican.com/story.asp?sectioncode=7&storycode=64388
Molson Coors commits to reduce packaging
Molson Coors has become the first brewer to commit to a voluntary agreement to reduce packaging. The brewer has signed up to WRAP’s Courtaul Commitment with the aim of reducing the weight of packaging and increasing the use of refill and self dispensing systems.
ON TRADE:
Britain’s Best Boozer!
A PUB that regulars call “Cheers” has been named Britain’s best boozer. The Wych Elm in Burntwood, Staffs, beat hundreds of pubs to top a nationwide survey. Undercover assessors gave it full marks for service, a friendly welcome and food quality.
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/2514392/Britains-top-pub-bar-none.html
Heatwave is luring punters back to the pub
Greene King unveiled its strongest sales for three years yesterday and said there were finally signs of a recovery in the trade. Chief executive Rooney Anand said takings in the UK were up 5.2 per cent in the past eight weeks compared with the same period a year ago.
OFF TRADE:
Take-home alcohol sales ‘resilient’ despite recession
The take-home drinks market is proving remarkably resilient in the recession as the off-trade seems to be benefiting from the growing problems in the pub trade. According to the 10 x 10 alcoholic drinks focus, based on Nielsen sales data and published in conjunction with Independent Retail News and Talking Retail, the only two alcoholic categories in decline are Champagnes and sparkling wines and alcoholic ready-to-drinks.
BEER, ALE & CIDER:
Chance for pub lovers to create national ale
Former England rugby star Lawrence Dallaglio has launched a Greene King competition ‘Brew us a Flavour’ for a pub lover to create a cask beer to go on sale across the country. The winner will then get to make the ale at the Suffolk brewery, choose a name and see it go on sale at pubs throughout Britain from October 20. Entry forms will be available in hundreds of Greene King pubs throughout July.
http://www.thepublican.com/story.asp?sectioncode=7&storycode=64360
Corona Extra is Facebook favourite
Corona Extra is the world’s favourite beer brand – according to a survey on social networking site, Facebook.com.Users across the globe were asked to pick their five favourite beers as part of a survey and the Mexican brew came out on top with 645,455 picks. Heineken came second followed by Guinness, Stella Artois and Budweiser.
http://www.thepublican.com/story.asp?sectioncode=7&storycode=64361
Fuller’s aims to boost Honey Dew profile
Fuller’s is making its biggest ever investment in promoting its Organic Honey Dew brand with a major new advertising campaign being launched across London this month. Posters saying ‘It’s easy to see why people love Honey Dew’ – are appearing now at around 500 different sites across the capital, including roadside, at major London rail terminals and on the Underground.
http://www.thepublican.com/story.asp?sectioncode=7&storycode=64362
Go sloe for Old Moors
Cider with sloes is the latest variant to join the Old Moors range of flavoured ciders. The Devon Cider Company, which makes the brand, is hoping the unusual flavour will help spearhead growth outside its south-west heartland.
Frosty Jacks Cider launches party promo
Frosty Jacks Cider has launched a £1.4m on-pack campaign offering consumers the chance to win their own expenses paid party. The promotion, which is the largest on-pack campaign the brand has run, features the party as a main prize. Other prizes include a LCD TVs, DJ decks and Nintendo Wiis. To enter consumers need to log in to a bespoke microsite and enter a quiz. The winners will be entered into a draw for the main prize every three weeks. Points can also be collected and exchanged for branded merchandise on the site.
http://www.brandrepublic.com/News/919254/Frosty-Jacks-Cider-launches-party-promo/
WINES:
French wine out of favour with British drinkers
Our neighbour across the Channel has now dropped to fifth place in British drinkers’ affections, overtaken by South Africa, as well as Australia, the United States and Italy. British wine drinkers have been steadily put off by high prices – thanks to the weak exchange rate with the euro – complex labels and lack of big brands from France, according to experts, who said the march of New World wine was unstoppable.
SPIRITS:
Whyte & Mackay backs British Asian Trust
Whiskey brand aims to be ’spirits company of choice’ for Indian consumers in the UK. Whyte & Mackay will be the Scotch whisky of choice for the Indian glitterati as the brand backs a charity event raising money for the British Asian Trust in London next week.
http://www.thepublican.com/story.asp?sectioncode=7&storycode=64366
Diageo plans gin ‘renaissance’
The gin category received a boost this week as Diageo unveiled its strategy to lead a “renaissance” in the sector. The company is re-launching its premium Tanqueray brand with new packaging and a new marketing campaign, and has launched a new strategy for its Gordon’s gin.
Absolut in ‘naked vodka’ stunt
Absolut Vodka will appear in a ‘naked’ label-free bottle as part of a new campaign entitled ‘In An Absolut World There Are No Labels’. The no-label bottle represented “a vision of the world that is more diverse, vibrant and embracing of those from every walk of life”, according to maker Pernod Ricard UK. The limited-edition product goes on sale in Selfridges next week, priced at £24.99. In place of the usual Absolut Vodka logo, the bottles have a discrete removable sticker outlining the campaign’s aims and directing shoppers to a new website, where they are encouraged to give their views on labels and prejudice in life.
http://www.thegrocer.co.uk/articles.aspx?page=articles&ID=201383
SOFT DRINKS:
TV push for Mars choc drinks range
Mars has unveiled details of its first-ever national TV advertising for its chilled chocolate drinks range. The £1m activity will kick off from August to highlight the creamy quality of the milk-based drinks – comprising Mars, Galaxy, Maltesers, Twix and M&M’s cold beverages.
http://www.thegrocer.co.uk/articles.aspx?page=articles&ID=201238
DJ Mr Scruff and Big Chill festival to launch branded tea
Big Chill, the company behind the festival, is bringing out a branded tea, which has been created in partnership with British DJ and Artist, Mr Scruff. The herbal tea, called ‘Big Chill’, has been created by Mr Scruff’s company, Make Us A Brew, which makes organic and ethically-produced beverages. Big Chill Tea will be available in selected stores. There will also be a ‘tea tent’ at the Big Chill Festival this August, where revellers can go and sample the new hot beverage.
Diet Coke launches ‘Ugly Betty’ bottle
Diet Coke has launched a collectible ‘Betty’ Bottle featuring images from the TV show ‘Ugly Betty’. The glass bottle was designed by New York-stylist Patricia Field. It consists of a pink leopard print design and comes with a sticker book so consumers can customise their bottles. The stickers feature images of the outfits Betty wears in the current series of the show. The limited-edition design is only available only at Selfridges.
http://www.brandrepublic.com/Discipline/Marketing/News/918632/Diet-Coke-launches-Ugly-Betty-bottle/
FOOD:
Pizza Hut times £4 ‘Happy Hour’ menu campaign to coincide with payday
Pizza Hut is promoting its £4 fixed-price ‘Happy Hour’ menu to consumers in the high street using ATM advertising. The one-week campaign will feature within 750,000 transactions on cash machines across the UK in close proximity to Pizza Hut restaurants, starting 29 June.