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Virgin Cola returns — but more quietly
AJC ^ | 6/30/04 | Scott Leith

Posted on 06/30/2004 11:46:07 PM PDT by freedom44

Virgin Cola is giving it a go in America once again. But this time, the British brand's invasion wasn't led by an army tank.

Virgin Cola just became available in limited distribution in Southern California. A national rollout is planned for next year.

Some people still remember the first time Virgin Cola reached American stores. It was six years ago, heralded by publicity-seeking British billionaire Richard Branson of Virgin Group. For the launch, he rode into New York's Times Square atop a tank, promising a battle with Coke and Pepsi.

Virgin Cola was a flop and disappeared from the U.S. market. This time, the cola's American relaunch is looking far more modest.

"We don't have any tanks in the garage," said Marc Pollack, a spokesman for a Beverly Hills, Calif., company that is a part of the plans to try Virgin again.

Virgin Cola will essentially be a private-label product. Current plans call for it be sold at 7-Eleven stores. It's a big chain but one not found everywhere; there are no stores in Georgia.

The brand will be marketed as a premium-priced product, the company said, with four flavors, including Blonde (vanilla) and Jade (lime).

"I don't think anybody can really challenge the dominant players," said Ranjit Singh, chief operating officer of Virgin Drinks North America. But the company believes there's room for a niche brand.

In the United States, Virgin Cola is the product of a joint venture between the Firm, a Beverly Hills talent agency and production company, and Britain's Virgin Group.

Branson himself is busy with a number of projects and wasn't involved in touting the launch.

Branson's company is best-known for Virgin-branded operations that include a record label and airlines overseas. Virgin is planning to launch a low-cost airline in the United States.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: cola
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To: Slings and Arrows
Hey pallie boy, I calls 'em like I sees 'em.
21 posted on 07/01/2004 4:45:54 PM PDT by The Scourge of Yazid (Ithaca is "the city of evil." Peekskill is the "city of light." Syracuse is the city of basketball.)
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To: The Scourge of Yazid

Perhaps you need glasses.


22 posted on 07/01/2004 4:55:49 PM PDT by Slings and Arrows (Am Yisrael Chai!)
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To: freedom44
It'll never replace a frosty cold can of Bite the Wax Tadpole(TM).
23 posted on 07/01/2004 4:58:04 PM PDT by Slings and Arrows (Am Yisrael Chai!)
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To: Slings and Arrows
Probably.

It's just that this makeshift pair of glasses I have now (shards of mirror glass stitched to my forehead and attached to two pieces from a broken broom stick, held together with black masking tape) has worked so well for me in the past.

I'll see if I can drop by LensCrafters.

24 posted on 07/01/2004 4:59:00 PM PDT by The Scourge of Yazid (Ithaca is "the city of evil." Peekskill is the "city of light." Syracuse is the city of basketball.)
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To: freedom44

25 posted on 07/01/2004 5:50:56 PM PDT by perfect stranger
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To: Alouette

26 posted on 07/01/2004 6:26:56 PM PDT by struwwelpeter
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To: The Scourge of Yazid
But is it Glatt Kosher?

Glatt refers only to meat products.

Coca-Cola is certified kosher for everyday use. But Coca-Cola also make a special "Kosher for Passover" product that is much more popular and better tasting than its regular product, because they use cane sugar instead of cheap corn syrup.

Personally, I stopped drinking sweetened soft drinks several years ago. I prefer plain water, club soda, and flavored club soda. I hate to admit this, but Perrier sparkling water is the best. And as much as I hate to admit this even more, Perrier is much cheaper than any American soft drink when I go across the border and buy it in Canada.

27 posted on 07/01/2004 6:41:37 PM PDT by Alouette ("Your children like olive trees seated round your table." -- Psalm 128:3)
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To: The Scourge of Yazid
I will sip of its sweet, sweet nectar right now.

Settle down.

28 posted on 07/01/2004 8:32:00 PM PDT by Lijahsbubbe
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To: Lijahsbubbe
Awright, awright!

I'm just sayin'.

29 posted on 07/01/2004 8:35:21 PM PDT by The Scourge of Yazid (Ithaca is "the city of evil." Peekskill is the "city of light." Syracuse is the city of basketball.)
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To: freedom44
Virgin Cola is giving it a go in America once again

Is it going to be 'cherry' coke?
30 posted on 07/01/2004 8:43:03 PM PDT by reagan_fanatic (Liberalism is the end result of too many people peeing in the gene pool.)
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To: freedom44

Bring on the Virgin Cola (COKE), and watch success go ape.

Today we have energy drinks, advertised enhancement drugs and so much crap to mess with our psyche, BUT God forbid we bring bach a drink that is no different than Ginseng tea.

You want to bring out Virgin Cola, let the originals make it. Coka Cola


31 posted on 07/01/2004 10:33:27 PM PDT by Iberian
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