Coca-Cola and Pepsi battle it out with rival coffee drink launches

While Pepsi is set to hand out the samples at rail stations and shopping centres in the UK from January. Coca-Cola is holding off a UK launch, instead preferring to trial its Coca Cola Blak brand in France in the same month.

A statement from Coca-Cola, however, does say that launches in other countries are set for later in 2006, but only mentions the US specifically.

Marc Mathieu, vice-president of global core brands at Coca-Cola, said: "This brand is ideal for any part of the day when people are looking for renewed energy or simply to take a break."

He added that launches will be supported by television, print, outdoor advertising, as well as point-of-sale activity.

It is understood that Pepsi's Cino will be available in 500ml and two-litre bottles, as well as six-by-330ml multipacks. The sample giveaway will involve a Pepsi Max Cino cafe bar, which will be set up at train stations and shopping centres.

This latest brand extension for Coca-Cola comes as it seeks to increase flagging sales with a new global advertising push in 2006.

This will have feature the slogan "Welcome to the Coke side of life" and has been developed by Wieden & Kennedy to replace the current "real" campaign. It is understood that it will have a 70s feel.

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This article was first published on brandrepublic.com