View source for SoBe

{{Short description|American drink brand}}
{{For|the area of Miami Beach known as "SoBe"|South Beach}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2021}}
{{Infobox company
| name = South Beach Beverage Company
| logo = Current SoBe logo.svg
| logo_size = 200px
| type = [[Subsidiary]]
| foundation = [[Norwalk, Connecticut]], U.S. ({{Start date and age|1996|mf=y}})
| founder = [[John Bello]], Tom Schwalm
| location_city = [[Purchase, New York]]
| location_country = U.S.
| key_people =
| industry = [[Beverage]]s
| products = [[Drinking water|Enhanced water]]<br>[[Juice|Fruit juice drinks]]<br>[[Tea]]
| parent = [[PepsiCo]]
| homepage = [http://www.sobe.com SoBe.com]
}}
'''SoBe''' (stylized as '''{{Smallcaps|SoBe}}''') is an American brand of [[tea]]s, fruit-juice blends and enhanced water beverages owned by [[PepsiCo]]. The name SoBe is an abbreviation of [[South Beach]], named after the upscale area located in [[Miami Beach, Florida]]. In the past, the SoBe name has also been licensed for [[chewing gum|gum]] and [[chocolate]] products. SoBe switched from glass bottles to plastic bottles for all of its beverages in 2010.
==Company history==
SoBe began as the '''South Beach Beverage Company''', a drink manufacturer based in [[Norwalk, Connecticut]] from 1996 to 2001. It was founded by Kevin McGovern, and co-founded by [[John Bello]] and Tom Schwalm in 1995. Their first product was ''SoBe Black Tea 3G'' which contained [[ginseng]], [[guarana]], and [[ginkgo biloba|ginkgo]].<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Olson |first1=Jorge S. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dkMsPdXn8JMC&dq=SoBe+Black+Tea+3G&pg=PA67 |title=Build Your Beverage Empire |last2=Lopez |first2=Carlos |date=February 13, 2009 |publisher=Jorge Olson |isbn=978-0-9821425-1-6 |pages=67 |language=en}}</ref> It proved to be popular and led to the introduction of other flavors. The company was bought by [[PepsiCo]] in October 2000.<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 30, 2000 |title=Pepsi buys SoBe drink brand - Oct. 30, 2000 |url=https://money.cnn.com/2000/10/30/deals/sobe/index.htm |access-date=2022-08-08}}</ref>
==Products==
[[Image:SoBes.jpg|thumb|SoBe glass bottled drinks]]
* SoBe Lifewater / SoBe Water - A vitamin-infused beverage. Most of the flavors are non-caloric and use [[steviol glycoside]]s for natural sweetening.
* SoBe Elixirs - A line of fully sweetened (with [[sucrose]] and in some cases a mix of sucrose and [[Stevia]]) beverages with herbal extracts and some vitamins.
* SoBe Tea - A line of [[iced tea]] beverages with herbal extracts.
* SoBe Pure Rush - A line of [[energy drink]]s, no longer available in the United States.
===Discontinued products===
* SoBe Qi
* SoBe Adrenaline Rush
* SoBe [[No Fear]]
* SoBe Elixirs 3C
* SoBe Eros
* Power Line
* [[File:Original line of glass bottles..jpg|thumb]]SoBe Synergy
* SoBe Nirvana
* SoBe Special Recipes
* SoBe Essential Energy
* SoBe Ice
* SoBe Zen Blend
* Sobe Wisdom
* SoBe SuperMan
* SoBe Good
* SoBe Dragon
* SoBe Love Bus Brew
* SoBe Oolong tea
* SoBe Lizard Lava
* SoBe Lizard Fuel
* SoBe Lizard Lighting
* SoBe Black and Blue Berry Brew
* SoBe Long John Lizard's Grape Grog
====SoBe Mr. Green====
{{Infobox Beverage
|name = Mr. Green (SoBe)
|image = [[Image:Sobe Mr Green 20 oz bottle.jpg|85px]]<br />A 20 oz bottle of SoBe Mr. Green
|type = [[Soft drink]]
|manufacturer = SoBe (division of [[PepsiCo]])
|origin = United States
|introduced = 2002
|discontinued = 2003
|color = Green-tinted<ref name=Pepsi>{{cite web|url=http://www.pepsico.com/Company/Our-History/2002.html |title=2002 Milestones |publisher=[[PepsiCo]] |access-date=2 October 2013 |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130813224345/http://www.pepsico.com/Company/Our-History/2002.html |archive-date=August 13, 2013 }}</ref>
|flavor = Pepper-style carbonated energy soft drink
|related = [[Moxie]]<br /> [[Dr Pepper]]<br /> [[Pibb Xtra]]<br /> [[Dr. Wells]]
}}
'''Mr. Green''' was a short-lived carbonated [[soft drink|soda]] offered by SoBe, widely released in the United States as a tie in with the release of the hit movie ''[[How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000 film)|How the Grinch Stole Christmas]]'' starring Jim Carrey.  Shipping in April 2002 and first available to consumers in May, it was produced in 12 oz cans, 20 oz bottles, and 1- and 2-liter bottles.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://business.highbeam.com/392330/article-1P2-1436474/first-carbonated-drink-sobe |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004234116/http://business.highbeam.com/392330/article-1P2-1436474/first-carbonated-drink-sobe |url-status=dead |archive-date=4 October 2013 |title=First carbonated drink from SoBe |author=Lewis Lazare |publisher=[[Chicago Sun-Times]] |date=4 April 2002 |access-date=2 October 2013}}</ref>  It was a rare carbonated beverage offered by SoBe.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/soda-brands-that-failed-2012-6?op=1 |title=16 Failed Soda Brands You'll Never See Again |author=Kim Bhasin |publisher=[[Business Insider]] |date=5 June 2012 |access-date=2 October 2013}}</ref>
The soda's mascot of the same name was described as a "cyber lizard" in SoBe's press release.  This character was a modernized version of the lizard found on other SoBe products.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=78265&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=424060&highlight= |title=Cyber Lizard Invades Soft Drink Market |publisher=SoBe (press release) |date=27 March 2002 |access-date=2 October 2013}}</ref>
Mr. Green was tinted green, and included [[ginseng]] for flavor and added energy.<ref name=Pepsi/>
==Marketing campaigns==
* ''Lizard Tales'' is a monthly digital newsletter published by SoBe for their fans.  The newsletter provides consumers with product updates, promotions and cultural trends.
* In 2000, SoBe launched ''Adrenaline Rush'' which was marketed toward action sports.<ref name="Pepsi gets the lizard">{{cite web |last1=Khan |first1=Kim |title=Pepsi gets the lizard |url=https://money.cnn.com/2000/10/30/deals/sobe/index.htm |website=CNN Money |publisher=CNN |access-date=25 July 2023}}</ref>
* ''Heads or Tails'' was the name of the SoBe under-the-cap promotion where consumers could instantly win prizes, including SoBe apparel, [[Apple iPod]]s, [[Apple MacBook Pro]]s, or product coupons for future purchases.
* The 2001 game ''[[Oddworld: Munch's Oddysee]]'' features vending machines in the game that dispense SoBe drinks. This was only available in the North American version of the game.
* The 2004 game [[Driver 3|''Driv3r'']] also features vending machines (which don't work), along with [[Bus advertising|bus ads]] and a SoBe themed truck in game.
* In the 2006 film [[Employee of the Month (2006 film)|''Employee of the Month'']], Vince Downey (played by [[Dax Shepard]]) drinks Sobe Nirvana with a [[Gatorade]] twist cap.
* Starting in 2007, SoBe sponsored the [[Chicago Rush]] cheerleaders of the [[Arena Football League]]. The Rush dance team was called the SoBe Adrenalin Rush Dancers.
* In 2008 & 2009, SoBe had Super Bowl ads in support of SoBe Lifewater.
* In 2010, SoBe Lifewater partnered with ''[[FanHouse|AOL FanHouse]]'' to bring college basketball fans a bracket challenge where they could play their [[bracket (tournament)|bracket]] against the brackets of celebrities, including [[Kendra Wilkinson]], [[Brooklyn Decker]], [[Jerry Rice]] and [[Kenny Smith|Kenny "The Jet" Smith]]. Those fans whose bracket beat a celebrity bracket had a chance to meet them. If a fan had a perfect bracket, they could win up to $10,000,000.
*From 2010 to 2012, SoBe Lifewater partnered annually with actresses for their 'Skinsuits' campaign, Starting with [[Ashley Greene]]<ref>{{cite press release |date=2010-01-08 |title=Actress Ashley Greene Models First-Ever SoBe 'Skinsuits' to Launch Newest 0 Calorie Flavors for SoBe Lifewater |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/actress-ashley-greene-models-first-ever-sobe-skinsuits-to-launch-newest-0-calorie-flavors-for-sobe-lifewater-80784917.html |publisher=PRNewswire |agency=PepsiCo |access-date=2022-12-21}}</ref> in 2010, [[Jessica Szohr]]<ref>{{cite press release |date=2011-01-05 |title='Gossip Girl' Jessica Szohr and Her SoBe® Lifewater® Skinsuits Heat Up Costa Rica's Jungles to Launch New SoBe Lifewater With Electrolytes  |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/gossip-girl-jessica-szohr-and-her-sobe-lifewater-skinsuits-heat-up-costa-ricas-jungles-to-launch-new-sobe-lifewater-with-electrolytes-112931874.html |publisher=PRNewswire |agency=PepsiCo |access-date=2022-12-21}}</ref> in 2011, and ending the campaign in 2012 with [[Yvonne Strahovski]]<ref>{{cite press release |date=2012-01-17 |title=Painted in Palms, Covered in Coconuts, "Chuck" Actress Yvonne Strahovski Wears a Signature SoBe® Skinsuit to Launch Three New SoBe Lifewater® with Coconut Water Flavors  |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/painted-in-palms-covered-in-coconuts-chuck-actress-yvonne-strahovski-wears-a-signature-sobe-skinsuit-to-launch-three-new-sobe-lifewater-with-coconut-water-flavors-136658998.html |publisher=PRNewswire |agency=PepsiCo |access-date=2022-12-21}}</ref>
* In 2011, [[Ellie Goulding]] was announced as the UK face of SoBe. As part of the campaign she spent time in South Beach, Miami interviewing locals and traveling to South Beach hot-spots.
* In July 2011 SoBe partnered with [[Mike Tyson: Main Event]] in launching a mobile gaming campaign for the brand's teas, fruit juice blends, and enhanced waters.<ref name="ADWEEK">{{cite web |url = http://www.adweek.com/news/advertising-branding/sobe-launches-mike-tyson-gaming-pitch-133684 |title = SoBe Launches Mike Tyson Gaming Pitch| date=July 26, 2011 }}</ref>
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
* {{official website}}
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* [https://www.bevnet.com/brands/mrgreen/allproducts Sobe Mr. Green Soda overview] on BevNet
{{Pepper sodas}}
{{PepsiCo}}
{{Authority control}}
[[Category:PepsiCo brands]]
[[Category:Juice brands]]
[[Category:Tea brands in the United States]]
[[Category:Companies based in New York (state)]]
[[Category:Companies based in Norwalk, Connecticut]]
[[Category:Food and drink companies established in 1996]]
[[Category:1990s fads and trends]]
[[Category:2000s fads and trends]]
[[Category:1996 establishments in Connecticut]]
[[Category:2000 mergers and acquisitions]]