Myprotein and Vimto collab back by popular demand

Myprotein is collaborating with iconic drinks brand Vimto once again this summer, after becoming one of the most in-demand flavours of 2021.

Back by popular demand, the extended Vimto range includes Myprotein Limited Edition Vimto Clear Whey Isolate, a fruitier, lighter alternative to traditional whey protein, and Myvitamins Limited Edition Vimto Multivitamin Gummies, a gummy multivitamin containing real fruit juice and eight key nutrients.  

The Myprotein Vimto Clear Whey Isolate containing real fruit juice powder will be available in two limited-edition flavours: Orange, Strawberry and Lime, and Original Vimto flavour, Grape, Raspberry and Blackcurrant. Myprotein Clear Whey Isolate uses high-quality hydrolysed whey protein isolate, which boasts 20g of protein for just 84 calories. Both flavours can be purchased in full size at £28.99 and sample size at £2.49 on Myprotein.com.

Later this year, Myvitamins will also permanently launch Vimto Multivitamin Gummies in Original Vimto flavour. The eight key nutrients in the limited-edition gummies include vitamin D to support bone health, vitamin C to maintain immune function, vitamin A to maintain a healthy complexion, biotin to support the condition of hair and nails, and vitamin B6 to reduce feelings of tiredness. The gummies will be available for purchase at £13.99 on Myvitamins.com.

Both flavours of the Vimto Clear Whey Isolate will also be available in a taster pack containing sample size portions alongside a limited-edition Vimto collaboration protein shaker at £9.97 on Myprotein.com. 

Spotlight on Brands I Pink Key gets Vim!

Spotlight on brands

 

Vimto is a brand with real pedigree. Nationally renowned and proudly from the North, it also has a proven licensing pedigree.

It all began in Manchester in 1908 when John Noel Nichols created the drink we know and love as a herbal health tonic using a secret recipe combining fruits, herbs and spices from around the world. It  was a pick-me-up, giving the consumer ‘vim’ (energy and enthusiasm) and ‘vigour’ (strength and power).

But the brand we know now as Vimto has never stood still. From its rich heritage it has kept itself contemporary by adapting to changes in consumer conditions and tastes and has developed a versatile product range. There are numerous ways now in which you can enjoy the great taste of Vimto – from the ‘schlurp’ out of a can to hot (yes, hot!) Vimto to fend off those chilly winter nights.

Yet, through all these developments, the brand character has always remained constant: a fun, high-quality, refreshingly different soft drink.

 

Perfect partnerships

Vimto is no stranger to the licensing world, and has already acquired many food licensees managed by its dedicated Commercial Development Controller, Helen Hartley, who has brought on board a number of partners including:

  • Confectionery with Vimto Bon Bons, Jelly Babies and Juicy Mixups
  • Frozen foods with Vimto Ice Lollies, Cheesecake, Pyramids and No Added Sugar Remix Ice Pops
  • Dedicated Vimto ‘Factories’ in Selfridges, the Trafford Centre Manchester and the Bullring Birmingham, offering Vimto Slush, drinks and confectionery
  • Vimto protein powders and vitamins in partnership with the world’s number one sports nutrition brand MYPROTEIN.

Vimto is extending its licensing programme to take both and its rich history and heritage into the non-food arena.

Pink Key’s pedigree

Pink Key Licensing is Vimto’s exclusive UK agent to develop the non-food programme, and will be offering new licensees a style guide that will focus on the brand’s history and is packed with visuals of posters, packs and amazing artwork from the extensive Vimto archive, including Vimto logos and slogans.

Richard Pink of Pink Key says: “The Vimto archive is extraordinary in its range of colour and usable assets. It’s a brand that I’ve always felt would be an ideal fit with what we do so well, and I’m delighted that Vimto think so too!”

There is no doubt that Vimto seems to naturally fit within Pink Key’s portfolio, which incudes food brands Kellogg’s, Pringles, SLUSH PUPPiE and The Laughing Cow, alongside the heritage programme that Richard and his team have been running for Pan American Airways.

“Having lived in Manchester myself, I have an appreciation of just how proud the people are of home-grown and developed brands; they are fiercely loyal,” says Richard. “And it’s not just anecdotal: Vimto is a nationally recognised brand, but in its home town its popularity rivals the best in the world!”

 


If you are interested in talking to
Pink Key 
about licensing Vimto you can
contact Richard at
richard@pinkkey.co.uk

 

 

 

Fruit pickings: Richard Pink talks the history and future of the Vimto brand in licensing

With the tagline ‘Seriously Mixed Up Fruit’, Vimto already spans a wealth of foods and drinks from Vimto Fudge packaged in artwork that will take consumers on a trip through the brand’s history, to the more contemporary looking, and sounding, Vimto Candy Spray. But with a new licensing agent in Pink Key Licensing and the food and beverage licensing specialist, Richard Pink himself, the Vimto brand is about to embark on a seriously new venture entirely.

It was earlier this month that Pink lifted the lid on his company’s new partnership with the Vimto brand, appointed to manage the non-food activity for the 110 year old brand here in the UK, marking the first time in its history that Vimto’s logo, slogans, and imagery would be thrust into the licensing limelight.

Armed with a library of designs spanning more than a century of Vimto, the programme, Pink declared, will cover both the depth of the Vimto archive, as well as the design and style of the contemporary brand. Now, as Richard Pink, MD of Pink Key Licensing prepares to showcase the brand’s style guides at the upcoming Festival of Licensing, Licensing.biz takes its chance to talk with Pink about how he got himself seriously mixed up with the fruity new brand.

Hello again, Richard! It’s clearly a busy year for Pink Key Licensing this year. Can you talk to us about the latest addition to the portfolio then, what attracted you to the Vimto brand and what does it bring to the Pink Key offering?

Vimto is a brand that I’ve always felt was a good fit for us. Its combination of heritage and contemporary styling as well as the product categories it lends itself to fits brilliantly into the business model we have already developed for our other brands. At the same time it has some unique features that mean that there is little or no conflict with our existing portfolio. 

What does the Vimto brand bring to the licensing space, spanning its 110 year heritage and its contemporary appeal?

While there are a number of brands that have heritage programmes, there are very few who also continue to change and develop the way that Vimto has. This is a unique combination that gives it the broadest possible appeal to the older consumer who will be drawn to the heritage aspects that play into what they remember growing up, but also the younger generation who see it as a brand for them. In addition there is an ‘Englishness’ about the brand that is at the core of its identity. 

So why is now the right time to be bringing the Vimto brand into the consumer products space for the first time? And, what are your plans to make this an impactful launch into the market?

The launch now is because the brand feels that the time is right for them – they have a proven track record of food licensing that they have made a great success of and they can see the value in also leveraging their unique heritage to consumers who have grown up with the brand. Our plan is to identify the categories and products that are the most natural fit for Vimto and build a platform from there for the long term. 

What is the strategy for tapping into both the heritage/vintage style of the brand, as well as its more modern look? 

We are very lucky as we feel like we have two distinct audiences to go after, and while there will be some product overlap it will mean the range of categories and styles will be bigger than it would have been with, for example, just the heritage.

If we know the kind of brands that catch your eye, Vimto will be one with a rich history and story to tell… How will you be telling that story through its licensing programme?

It think that’s going to come down to the licensee execution – the archive is a story in itself, and if the licensees feel that it’s appropriate to support what they do with the story of the development of Vimto, then we have all the tools they need to allow them to do it.

What is it about Vimto that keeps it relevant to audiences today? How big a part will licensing play in maintaining that?

The modern execution of the Vimto brand is very different to its heritage – the product stands for different things today, but it always carries its history with it. Part of the reason why it’s more popular now than it ever was, is because it hasn’t stood still, its adapted to consumer tastes and styles – our programme is going to reflect and re-enforce the brand position. 

What will be the first steps taken in this new partnership for you? What product categories do you think Vimto will perform best within?

It’s important to make sure that we’ve identified the categories that we think are most relevant. Obviously things related to the core product will be key such as drinkware, but the archive is almost an art gallery so that gives us endless possibilities for development into categories where this might work. 

If I know one thing about licensing – whatever you think will happen probably won’t! I could guess that housewares and food gifting will drive this programme but all it take is a retailer to find design they like for a T-shirt and the whole game could change!

How will you guys be pushing the envelope of innovation in licensing as you develop the portfolio?

It’s funny; the words ‘heritage’ and ‘innovation’ would seem to be mutually exclusive, but we’ve seen some great ideas from licensees we’ve worked with that has given a whole new take on the brands we manage that can make a difference. I’ve learnt that the more focus there is on innovation the more longevity there is in a programme. There are products that will be obvious for this programme and driven by the design from the style guides but we are always open to new ideas on any brand.

We want to hear from any licensees who think they can do a great job with this brand – the art we have available is amazing and we can’t wait to hear what licensees could do with it.