The Longest Drink In Town
The Longest Drink In Town is a brand of New Zealand milkshake cup. It features a red and blue giraffe, named Toby.[1] Milkshake syrups are also sold under the brand name.[2] Ice-cream parlours, fast-food chains, and dairies sell milkshakes in The Longest Drink In Town containers, but sales have declined since the introduction to New Zealand of McDonald's and other global outlets.[3] Over 120 million cups have been sold with The Longest Drink In Town branding,[1] with current annual sales of 3.5 million units. Almost every New Zealander has used one. It is owned by Huhtamäki.[2]
History
The giraffe cup was designed in 1968[2] by Murray Smith as a free-lance designer. His favourite animal was the giraffe. Originally the colours were orange and purple, compared to the white, red and blue currently used. He also designed a summer version of the cup with the slogan "The Coolest Drink In Town" with the giraffe wearing sunglasses. Smith does not earn royalties from the design.[1] In about 2007, inspired by a love for Kiwiana, Angela Bink approached the owners of the brand who agreed to the design of a plastic cup and a range of other products including children's height charts, baby and adult clothing, tea towels, magnets and badges, and a souvenir set, all incorporating Toby the giraffe.[2][4]
References
- Smith, Jeremy (21 May 2020). "The tallest tale in Waipā". Cambridge News. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
- "The longest summer drink". FMCG. Vol. 18, no. 10. November 2012. pp. 50–51. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
- Beverland, Michael (December 2020). "How Brands Craft National Identity". Journal of Consumer Research. doi:10.1093/jcr/ucaa062. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
- McCall, Claire (28 June 2012). "Crafty people who are hard to ignore". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 26 September 2023.