Thursday, March 15, 2007

WHAT DO HAZELNUTS, VANILLA AND BANANAS HAVE IN COMMON?

Pernod Ricard is expanding its Kahlua coffee liqueur brand to include hazelnut and French vanilla in the U.S. The launch will take place this May, and will hopefully boost sales after a somewhat disappointing first half (depletions fell 3%).

And as WSD reported last week, Pernod also announced the launch of Malibu Tropical Banana in the United States and Canada this spring. Jeff Agdern, marketing vp for Malibu, said the U.S. launch will be supported with an unprecedented, multi-million dollar marketing campaign.

"We previewed Malibu Tropical Banana at the Nightclub and Bar show in Las Vegas last week, and we are very excited about the positive reaction from bartenders and club owners," Jeff said.

The Tropical Banana advertising campaign will include television, print and radio on a national front, along with consumer promotions and samplings throughout the summer season.