Pepsi Max plans seasonal variant for Christmas market

Pepsi is to launch a limited-edition seasonal soft drink called Pepsi Max Punch in the run-up to Christmas.

The cinnamon and ginger-flavoured drink will launch in September and be available in stores until the end of the Christmas period.

Consumers will be able to buy the drink in 500ml and two-litre bottles at the standard recommended retail price of Pepsi Max.

An industry insider says: “It didn’t mention ginger or cinnamon on the packaging, and knowing what was in it I didn’t expect to like it. But, it’s nicer than it sounds.”

Earlier this month Pepsi picked the UK for a test launch of Ting, a Jamaican fruit crush soft drink to challenge Coca-Cola’s Lilt in Europe.

Ting was previously available only in ethnic stores in the UK but is now on shelves in Tesco stores across the country and Asda and Morrisons outlets in London.

Omnicom is handling the Ting launch with a campaign aimed at 16- to 24-year-olds.

The marketing campaign, under the theme “It’s a London Ting”, is being spearheaded by a four-week radio promotion on Kiss 100 and Choice FM.