Dates for your diary

Jun 8, 2018

Global Cider Forum 2018 Speakers Announced

Jun 8, 2018

GAME, SET & MATCH FOR MORTIMER’S ORCHARD

Jun 4, 2018

Westons Cider has announced an exciting partnership between its On-Trade Mortimer’s Orchard brand and the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), the National Governing Body for tennis in Great Britain.

The premium cider brand’s first large-scale partnership will give Mortimer’s Orchard exclusive pouring rights at a series of high-profile tournaments including the Fever-Tree Championships held at The Queen’s Club, Birmingham Classic, Eastbourne International and Nottingham Open.

Taking to the court from April, the partnership with the LTA will drive further awareness and trial of Mortimer’s Orchard amongst tens of thousands of tennis fans at tournaments throughout the summer.

It will also feature the launch of the inaugural Mortimer’s Orchard Cider Bar at the Fever-Tree Championships, where tournament-goers will be able to enjoy the brand’s Original and English Berry offerings, both of which provide lasting refreshment with a light, sparkling finish.

“The quintessentially British nature of the LTA brand strongly reflects the Mortimer’s Orchard positioning as an expertly balanced, premium cider made with 100% fresh English apple juice,” explains Sally McKinnon, Head of Brands at Westons Cider.

“Summer sports and a cold pint of cider go hand-in-hand and, as such a well-established symbol of British summer time, the LTA is a clear fit with the Mortimer’s Orchard brand. The partnership is the ideal platform to reach even more Mortimer’s Orchard target consumers as they enjoy a day of sport.”

“We’re thrilled to be embarking on a partnership with Mortimer’s Orchard this summer,” adds James Mercer, Commercial Director at the LTA. “For many of our fans, come rain or shine a day out at the tennis just isn’t complete without a refreshing beverage in hand. With such a strong British heritage, Mortimer’s Orchard is the perfect cider for us.”

The LTA partnership will add to a raft of sponsorships and activations for Mortimer’s Orchard across the summer, to coincide with the key cider-drinking season, whilst the partnership will be supported with a digital campaign incorporating social media and blogger activation.

NACM Technical Day at Ledbury Rugby Club

Jun 4, 2018

The agenda has been published for the National Association of Cider Makers Technical Day on 12th July. The day will focus on sharing knowledge and expertise in a relaxed environment to drive best practice across our industry.

For more information, please contact Rebecca Mussell or Amalka Woodall.

STOWFORD PRESS CELEBRATES ‘THE WONDERFULNESS OF LOCAL’

May 31, 2018

Westons Cider is to launch new TV advertising for Stowford Press as part of a major marketing push for the brand.

‘The Wonderfulness of Local’ campaign highlights the premium quality of Stowford Press cider, exemplified by the locally-sourced apples used to create every pint. It features comedian Ellie Taylor and adventurer Alastair Humphreys exploring the glorious countryside around Westons’ cider mill in Much Marcle, Herefordshire.

“The key objective of our TV creative was to tap into a brand truth that had the ability to engage consumers emotionally,” explains brand manager Holly Chadwick. “Within this, we know our consumers value premium, local ingredients and provenance, and are actively seeking out experiences over material things.”

“This drove our thinking around the new TV advert. Through the new creative we wanted to find an entertaining and engaging way to communicate the fact that unlike some other ciders, all of the apples used in Stowford Press are grown within just 50 miles of our cider mill.”

“Although Stowford Press is a major national brand in both the on and off-trades, we will always stay true to the local heart of our brand and celebrate the wonderfulness of local.”

The TV ad, which has been produced in 60”, 30” and 10” edits, will premier during Channel 4 and ITV’s prime time Friday night schedules, to be followed by a 10-week campaign which adds further channels including Sky Media and BT Sport and will deliver significant national coverage for the brand.

TV advertising will be supported by a programme of high-profile sponsorships, consumer PR, on-trade and in-store customer marketing, blogger activation and social media activity, all celebrating the wonderfulness of local and adding up to the biggest marketing package ever put behind Stowford Press.

The new TV commercials were created and produced by Red Bee and directed by Ollie Parsons. Alongside the main Stowford Press apple variant, they also feature Stowford Press Mixed Berries cider which was launched in the on-trade in March this year.

“As we predicted at the time,” says Chadwick, “Stowford Press Mixed Berries has had a rapturous reception from the trade and consumers alike. This new campaign will highlight the quality of our cider and will bring the Stowford Press brand to even more people’s attention.”