New Energy Drink Causes Controversy

[Jazzy]

A new U.K. energy drink called 'Pussy' is causing controversy with its name and slogan: Cunningly Delicious.



The ad's tag line says: The drink's pure. It's your mind that's the problem.



Pussy founder Jonnie Shearer says he was inspired by Richard Branson's Virgin brand when he came up with the Pussy name almost ten years ago, reports Standard.co.uk.



At the time, Red Bull was soaring in popularity and Shearer saw energy drinks were a growing market.



Shearer told Standard.co.uk: The existing drinks tasted awful, and I couldn't pronounce half their ingredients. Since people were becoming more interested in healthy eating, I decided to come up with a natural energy drink. I found a flavor company in the Yellow Pages, and they agreed to carry out the testing for nothing in return for future orders.



Shearer gave up his office and moved back to his parents' house to save money: All my friends were working in the city and I was in my old bedroom, launching a drink called Pussy. They thought I was an idiot.



After borrowing $40,000 from family and friends, Shearer manufactured 150,000 cans of Pussy: The business was getting off the ground, but I was still in my old bedroom. Half the time important calls would come in and my mum would pick up and the phone and shout, 'Johnny, it's for you!'



The drink was very slow to catch on because of its controversial name, but has recently grown in popularity since the British grocery chain Tesco began stocking it (the store censored Pussy with an asterisk for the first four months). Tesco now sells 50 cans a week at each store.



Instead of his bedroom, Shearer now operates in a London office and has a staff of 12 to work on sales and marketing.

Source



Are you offended by the name of this new energy drink? Would you try this?

 

[Sinon]

It's not really new... the store I worked in carried it, and I haven't worked there since October. We got it in like...July? I forget. Either way, it's just a name. If anything, it was a fun little talking point between staff and customers, and there were many jokes to be had. I tried it, but honestly it didn't taste that great. Plus it's quite expensive compared to other energy drinks.

 

[Evil Eye]

Never had it, never seen it, did see a picture of a billboard advertising it. Doubt I'd try it.

there were many jokes to be had.

Care to share?

Are you offended by the name of this new energy drink?

What's wrong with cats?

Their ad makes perfect sense really.