Essay on The Mighty Red Bull in the World of Marketing

• The Red Bull energy drink is a functional product developed especially for periods of increased mental and physical exertion.

In today's world, the name Red Bull and the slogan "Red Bull Gives You Wings has been inscribed into the minds of consumers around the globe. The popular energy drink, which seems to have sky-rocketed in US as well as world-wide sales is no miracle drug, although it does seem that way by the overflowing demand. Known to many as a coffee substitute, Red Bull is able to give its buyers that extra push or burst of energy to keep their day going due to its increased amounts of caffeine, without the nasty aftertaste of coffee. No doubt its marketing strategies have made a massive impact on its increased sales, but at its start, it is no lie to call Red Bull a self-made success. In a time where everyone is

Red Bull is the pioneer in the energy drink category worldwide. Founded in 1984 by Dietrich Mateschitz in Austria, the product was formally launched in 1987. Mateschitz originally became aware of products called “tonic drinks”, which enjoyed wide popularity in Asia. He brought this effective product in Austria and developed a unique marketing strategy. The drink mainly targets young students and urban professionals. It is exclusively produced in Austria and then distributed around the world via a network of local subsidiaries and external importers and distributors.

In 1982, Dietrich Mateschitz got an idea of functional drinks. He joined with Chaleo Yoovidhya, Thai businessman, in 1984 and founded the Red Bull, which today is 49 percent owned by Mateschitz, other 49 percent by Yoovidhya and 2 percent by his son Chalerm. Red Bull was first released into the Austrian market in 1987, which was the completely new product category, energy drink. (Red Bull, 2011)

If one has to analyze the profitability scheme of Red Bull Energy Drink, perhaps it can be safely said that it is in a very uncompromising situation. First and foremost, the stiff competition have paved the way for the emergence of many small time players (Helm 2005). With every bottled drink that aims to steal the limelight nowadays, Red Bull should capitalize more on its creativity and ingenuity—this is of course, in relation to advertising and marketing. The company should never disregard that Coca Cola and Pepsi are still top competitors (Helm 2005). More so, even if the two share equally different components as with Red Bull, still, it is evident that the two continue to partake into the market share. Meanwhile, the notion that energy drinks offers no variety in taste is an important marketing aspect that the company should take into full consideration (Laing 2005). In 2001, Pepsi had already released AMP Energy Drink (“Amp Energy Drink” n.d). It is the company’s maidens venture into the energy drink arena. Evidently, AMP’s raison d’ etre is to capitalize on Mountain Dew’s established image. The concept would be to introduce something new, yet very familiar (“Amp Energy Drink” n.d).

Market share and strategy - RedBull had dominated the market of energy drinks all over the world. Its main mission is to provide an energy drink made with natural ingredients which provide energy to man, women or children in their day to day life. It provides instant energy which helps college students or working people to maintain their energy and keep doing their work with full enthusiastic way.The Red Bull brand had created a great impact on the mind of its customers by its product results and pricing strategies which make it a larger energy drink on the market.("The Top 15 Energy Drink Brands.")

Red Bull is a privately owned company, producing and distributing the Red Bull energy drink to more than 165 countries worldwide. The company was founded by Dietrich Mateschitz in Austria in 1984 and launched Red Bull onto the Austrian market in 1987. Since then more than 35 billion cans of Red Bull have been consumed. Red Bull employs over 8,900 people throughout the world, its corporate headquarters are located in Fuschi am See, Austria. (N/A, 2012).

After seeing the success that Red Bull has got in the energy drinks market, new brands are entering this market. Hence, it is essential for Red Bull to make certain changes in its marketing, production and

Red Bull have used crazy sounding and subversive names to build excitement around events before you’ve even heard of them to and to indelibly stamp them as “Red Bull”.

Initially the Red Bull’s slogan was “Red Bull gives you wings”. Later on as the taste changed with the change of its ingredients. Earlier it was an energy drink and later it was functional energy drink. Mateschitz devised the brand positioning that Red Bull “Revitalizes Body and Mind” This phrase conveyed the tangible benefit of the product in an easy grasping manner. It meant that Red Bull can be drunk any time whether it was morning, noon, or night. Thus Red Bulls consumption was not limited to any occasion or activities.

Red Bull is not differentiated by gender, race or income, but does position itself as young, sporty and dynamic. It is also perceived as the market leader. The brand is not associated with a type of distribution channel, but does insist on usage situations – anytime, anywhere, for any situation (see advertisement A in Appendix 1).

Red Bull has been able to create and sustain a competitive advantage in the sports drink industry by setting a goal and expanding from it. Red Bull was launched in hopes of capitalizing on extreme sports such as snowboarding and

Red Bull have adopted a segmentation base strategy relating to market demographics. In particular the company has targeted young active people aged 16 – 29 years. Red Bull also use geography, identifying mainly university students and urban professionals who needed an ‘energy boost’ throughout their busy schedules and activities. Mateschitz’ strategy aimed to target opinion leaders, believing that “the authority of one alpha bee can influence the buying habits of hundreds”. The Red Bull segmentation

Red Bull has a large market share in the energy drink market and it is one of the most popular energy drinks in the world, this may help us to increase the demand for the product and maybe develop a new product within the same brand.

Their slogans, “Red Bull Gives You Wings” and “No Red Bull, No Wings” have also proven to be a staple in their brand presentation for many years (Red Bull). While Red Bull is still dominating the industry, they may have some untapped resources in their marketing strategy and product presentation. While the brand is known throughout society they have the ability to reach a larger audience without losing the identity that the brand was built on. In the United States specifically, Red Bull could appeal to American athletes and consumers by sponsoring well-known athletes outside the extreme sports industry.