Pussy (energy drink)

Last updated
Pussy (or amina)
Type Energy drink
ManufacturerPussy Drinks Ltd
Country of origin  United Kingdom
Introduced2006
Ingredients Carbonated water,
fruit juice, herbs
Website pussynaturalenergy.com

Pussy is a carbonated energy drink produced by Pussy Drinks Ltd in the UK. [1] The drink and brand were created by Jonnie Shearer around Christmas 2004. [2] In April 2013, part of the advertising campaign for Pussy was banned in the UK by the Advertising Standards Authority for being sexually explicit. [3] [4]

Contents

Ingredients

Pussy is made from carbonated water, sugar, grape juice, and a mixture of herbs and other fruit. Its caffeine content comes from guarana. [5] Pussy is advertised as "100% natural" as it does not contain artificial additives. [6]

History

Shearer came up with the idea of a natural energy drink after leaving university in 2004. Inspired by the Virgin brand name of Virgin Group, Shearer decided to name his drink Pussy. [2]

Shearer launched the company in 2006, and started marketing Pussy in 2007. Initially Shearer ran the company from his bedroom, and delivered the drinks to clubs and bars himself. By the summer of 2011 Pussy was sold in 3000 shops in the UK, including Tesco and Selfridges, and exported to 18 countries, with sales of up to 200,000 cans per month. [7] By April 2012, Pussy sales had increased to 500,000 a month. [8]

As of 2023, the company has 2 employees. [9]

Advertising

In the winter of 2012 Pussy Drinks Ltd started a UK advertising campaign with two styles of posters used on billboards and trailers. The first advert features the word "Pussy" in large lower-case letters above the phrase "The drink's pure, it's your mind that's the problem." with a picture of a can to the right. The second advert featured the word "Outrageous." in large letters above the phrase "An energy drink that actually tastes good." with a picture of a can to the left.

The ASA received 156 complaints about the posters of which six issues were considered. The ASA accepted that people would see the word pussy as a slang term for vagina. The ASA suggested that Pussy Drinks Ltd were aware of the double meaning and played upon it in the first poster, referring to secondary meaning which was not "pure" and was a "problem". As such the poster was deemed sexually explicit and offensive. The ASA also ruled that older children would be aware of the double meaning, the poster was unsuitable to be placed where children might see it. Similar complaints about the second poster were disallowed, as were complaints that the first poster was offensive to religious people. Two of the issues were upheld, and the ASA banned the first poster. [10]

In response, Pussy Drinks Ltd questioned why people would assume a vulgar meaning of the word "pussy" and asked if it was offensive that the ancient Egyptians worshipped cats. [11] Richard Branson compared the ASA's banning of one Pussy advert to the banning of the Sex Pistols in the 1970s, saying that the ban would increase brand exposure and sales, a process known as the Streisand effect. [12]

Since 2009 Pussy has been endorsed by two-time World Superbike champion Troy Corser, who sometimes promotes the drink on his headgear. [13]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Irn-Bru</span> Scottish carbonated soft drink

Irn-Bru is a Scottish carbonated soft drink, often described as "Scotland's other national drink". Introduced in 1901, the drink is produced in Westfield, Cumbernauld, North Lanarkshire, by A.G. Barr of Glasgow. As well as being sold throughout the United Kingdom, Irn-Bru is available throughout the world and can usually be bought where there is a significant community of people from Scotland. The brand also has its own tartan. It has been the top-selling soft drink in Scotland for over a century, competing directly with global brands such as Coca-Cola.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Virgin Group</span> British multinational conglomerate

Virgin Group Limited is a British multinational venture capital conglomerate founded by Richard Branson and Nik Powell in February 1970.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tango (drink)</span> British fruit-flavoured soft drink brand

Tango is a carbonated soft drink originating in the United Kingdom, primarily sold in the UK and Ireland. It was first launched by Corona in 1950. Corona was purchased by the Beecham Group in 1958, and Corona Soft Drinks by Britvic in 1987.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Schweppes</span> Soft drink brand used by companies such as Coca-Cola, Suntory, etc

Schweppes is a soft drink brand that originated in the Republic of Geneva; it is made, bottled and distributed worldwide by multiple international conglomerates, depending on licensing and region, that manufacture and sell soft drinks. Schweppes was one of the earliest forms of a soft drink, originally being regular soda water created in 1783. Today, various drinks other than soda water bear the Schweppes brand name, including various types of lemonade and ginger ales.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Virgin Cola</span> Discontinued carbonated cola soft drink

Virgin Cola was a carbonated cola soft drink, launched in 1994. In 2009, it was discontinued in the United Kingdom, and in 2014 it was stopped being made by its final licensee, in Bangladesh.

"Feck" is a word that has several vernacular meanings and variations in Irish English, Scots, and Middle English.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Calpis</span> Japanese uncarbonated soft drink

Calpis, also sold as Calpico, is a Japanese non-carbonated soft drink manufactured by Calpis Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Asahi Breweries headquartered in Shibuya, Tokyo. The beverage has a light, somewhat milky, and slightly acidic flavour, similar to plain or vanilla-flavoured yogurt or Yakult. Its ingredients include water, dry milk, and lactic acid, and it is produced by lactic acid fermentation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ann Summers</span> British multinational retailer of sex toys and lingerie

Ann Summers is a British multinational retailer company specialising in sex toys and lingerie, with 80 high street stores in the UK, Ireland, and the Channel Islands. In 2000, Ann Summers acquired the Knickerbox brand, a label with an emphasis on more comfortable and feminine underwear, while the Ann Summers-labelled products tend to be more erotic in style. The chain had an annual turnover of £117.3 million in 2007–2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Solo (Australian soft drink)</span> Australian lemon-flavoured soft drink

Solo is an Australian, lemon-flavoured, carbonated soft drink currently manufactured under license by Asahi Breweries. First launched by Tarax in 1968 and fell to Cadbury after a takeover in 1974 its lemon flavour is inspired by Australian pubs' traditional and popular non alcoholic 'pub squash' beverage. The drink's recognition amongst the Australian population has been attributed to the brand's long lasting "Solo Man" marketing campaign, featuring numerous Australian actors. Solo and Asahi Holdings operates in the soft drink manufacturing industry along with various other brands such as Coca-Cola. The usual 375mL can of Solo contains 43.1 grams of sugar. There are and have been in the past, various versions of Solo available. These include Solo Zero, which uses artificial sweetener instead of sugar and there has also been a lemon and lime flavoured variant of the original recipe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Committee of Advertising Practice</span> Advertising regulation authority in the United Kingdom

The Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) is a British organisation responsible for the UK Code of Non-Broadcast Advertising, Sales Promotion and Direct Marketing, which is the main code of practice for self-regulation of the non-broadcast advertising industry in the UK.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yorkie (chocolate bar)</span> Chocolate bar in the United Kingdom made by Nestlé

Yorkie is a chocolate bar made by Nestlé. It was originally made by York-based company Rowntree's, hence the name.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BurgerFuel</span> New Zealand burger restaurant

BurgerFuel is a New Zealand burger restaurant and franchise with 72 locations in three countries, including 60 locations in New Zealand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Phones 4u</span> Mobile phone company

Phones 4u was a large independent mobile phone retailer in the United Kingdom. It was part of the 4u Group based in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire. Opening in 1996, it expanded to over 600 stores. On 14 September 2014, EE and Vodafone, the company's final remaining suppliers, ended their contracts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oasis (drink)</span> Non-carbonated fruit drinks product

Oasis is a non-carbonated bottled soft drink, a product of Orangina Schweppes. In the UK it is manufactured by the Coca-Cola EuroPacific Partners in conjunction with Coca-Cola Company subsidiary Atlantic Industries and in the Republic of Ireland it is distributed by Coca-Cola HBC Ireland. It originated in France by Volvic in 1966 and was initially distributed under the name 'Pulse', until flagging sales led to a rebrand and its current name 'Oasis' being introduced. The drink is described as a "fruit juice drink - with sugar and sweeteners". In May 2013, Oasis was imported to stores and supermarkets around the Ivory Coast, and by the end of 2013, Oasis was imported to stores and supermarkets around Madagascar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Advertising Standards Authority (United Kingdom)</span> Advertising regulation authority in the United Kingdom

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) is the self-regulatory organisation of the advertising industry in the United Kingdom. The ASA is a non-statutory organisation and so cannot interpret or enforce legislation. However, its code of advertising practice broadly reflects legislation in many instances. The ASA is not funded by the British government, but by a levy on the advertising industry.

giffgaff British mobile virtual network operator

GiffgaffLimited is an MVNO, marketed as a budget service provider and flanker brand of Telefónica UK. The stylised 'giffgaff' brand was founded by Gav Thompson a former marketing executive for Telefónica UK and was launched online only, on 25 November 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Payday loans in the United Kingdom</span>

Payday loans in the United Kingdom are typically small value and for short periods. Payday loans are often used as a term by members of the public generically to refer to all forms of High-cost Short-term credit (HCSTC) including instalment loans, e.g. 3-9 month products, rather than just loans provided until the next pay day.

Pipes is a television advertisement in the United Kingdom for Tango Orange, which first aired in October 2004.

Money Gap Ltd is UK-based financial services company and a short-term loan broker operating in London, England. Founded in 2008, Money Gap works with various payday and short-term loan providers, matching applicants with lenders. MGG acts as an intermediary in this capacity.

Black Cow is a brand of vodka manufactured in West Dorset, United Kingdom. It was created by Jason Barber, a dairy farmer from West Dorset. The vodka is made using whey, a byproduct of cheesemaking.

References

  1. ↑ "About Us". Pussy Drinks Ltd. Retrieved 26 April 2013.
  2. 1 2 Tobin, Lucy (9 January 2012). "A soft drink named Pussy is born from can-do approach". The Evening Standard. Retrieved 29 April 2013.
  3. ↑ Sweney, Mark (24 April 2013). "News Media Advertising Pussy energy drink ads banned over 'sexually explicit reference'". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 April 2013.
  4. ↑ "Pussy energy drink advert banned by watchdog". Metro. 24 April 2013. Retrieved 26 April 2013.
  5. ↑ "Product". Pussy Drinks Ltd. Retrieved 1 May 2013.
  6. ↑ "Pussy – 100% Natural Energy Drink". riwine.com. Retrieved 30 April 2013.
  7. ↑ Rebecca, Hobson. "Jonnie Shearer: the new king of pussy". London loves Business. Retrieved 26 April 2013.
  8. ↑ Burn-Callander, Rebecca (5 April 2012). "My Week: Jonnie Shearer of Pussy Drinks" . Retrieved 26 April 2013.
  9. ↑ "Companies House records for JMS Drinks Limited, previously known as Pussy Drinks Limited" . Retrieved 2023-02-21.
  10. ↑ "ASA Adjudication on Pussy Drinks Ltd". Advertising standards authority. Retrieved 27 April 2013.
  11. ↑ Gill, Martha (24 April 2013). "Pussy Drinks Ltd pretends not to know why people complained about its adverts". The New Statesman. Retrieved 28 April 2013.
  12. ↑ Branson, Richard. "Bans and censors: the best advertising money can't buy". virgin.com. Archived from the original on 28 April 2013. Retrieved 26 April 2013.
  13. ↑ Corser, Troy. "Pussy energy drink". troycorser.com. Archived from the original on 5 March 2014. Retrieved 26 April 2013.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.