Campaign loses its animal magnetism
Inter Rhône, the body representing producers and negociants in the Côtes du Rhône, is dropping the hippo and hedgehog from its ad campaign over fears they appeal to children.
The two illustrated characters
have starred in its ads
for the past 10 years . A new campaign
will launch in October.
Inter Rhône marketing export manager Olivier Legrand said advisers at the Advertising Standards Agency believed the ads may cause complaints because of tougher regulations
on alcohol promotion .
He said: "They told us there could be a problem, so we thought
if we continued to use this campaign we could get into trouble.
I t is time for a change, but it is sad to lose them." The strapline from the current campaign - Think Red. Think Côtes du Rhône - will remain .
Inter Rhône said it was also increasing its marketing budget by £150,000 in the UK this year to retain its position in the market.