Charlie’s to put fizz back into soft drinks market

09 October 2007

Charlie’s Soda Co. to put fizz back into soft drinks market

Local beverage maker Charlie’s is set to shake up the soft drinks market with the release of a range of healthy natural fruit sodas launched under new brand Charlie’s Soda Co.

Charlie’s Soda Co. was born to meet the increasing demand of health conscious New Zealanders for quality, natural drinks based on natural ingredients and recipes. And true to Charlie’s brand heritage, Charlie’s Soda Co. drinks have nothing artificial in them, no added sugar or preservatives. Just pure fruit juice and a splash of sparkling water. One bottle of Charlie’s Soda provides a full serving of fruit along with the hydration of sparkling water.

Produced to fill the gap in the market between juice and soft drinks, Charlie’s Soda Co. is set to capture a slice of New Zealand’s lucrative soft drinks market, worth an estimated $215 million annually. Health and innovation are two of the major factors driving growth in New Zealand cold drinks with the top five growth categories found in either water or juice.

“We wanted a sparkling fruit juice that was health-conscious and appealed to well informed consumers who pay attention to what they eat and drink. Our sodas have that Charlie’s attitude and are the healthy alternative to current soft drink offerings. With inspiration from one of Mrs Ellis’ time honoured recipes we have created a fantastic range of natural fruit sodas with no added sugar, no additives and no preservatives. We wanted recipes that harked back to good old-fashioned unadulterated fruit sodas, just like nature intended,” says Ron Curteis, Marketing Manager, Charlie’s.

Group CEO Stefan Lepionka says Charlie’s Soda Company was formed to bring a bit of tradition and nostalgia back to the way we drink soft drinks.

“Using our expertise in juice we combine that nostalgia and a high quality natural offering with a bit of Charlie’s cheekiness thrown in. Our ad campaign fronted by Marc (Ellis) is sure to demonstrate this to our loyal consumers. For a taste visit our website www.charliessoda.co.nz.”

Charlie’s Soda Co’s natural fruit sodas come in five unique flavours: Lemon, Clementine, Grapefruit, Cranberry, and the antioxidant-rich ‘super fruit’ Pomegranate.

Charlie’s Soda Co. is available in supermarkets, convenience stores and selected cafés nationwide.

Notes to Editors:

- Charlie’s Group is a NZX listed New Zealand beverage company established in 1999 by childhood friends Stefan Lepionka and Marc Ellis to provide quality, freshly squeezed juice to consumers.
- The company expanded their offerings in between 2005 and 2006 with the introduction of their Not-From-Concentrate Smoothy’s and Old Fashioned Quenchers; and the acquisition of Phoenix Organics.
- Charlie’s Soda Co. is the latest in their range of high-quality, natural juices and beverages.

ENDS

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