Babycham
Babycham is the trade name of a light, sparkling perry invented by Francis Edwin Showering (1912-1995), a brewer in Shepton Mallet in Somerset, England; the name is now owned by Accolade Wines. Launched in the United Kingdom in 1953,[1] the drink was marketed with pioneering television advertisements. It was the first alcoholic product to be advertised on UK television, the campaign being launched in 1957, and was originally marketed as a "genuine champagne perry".[2]
Popular throughout the 1960s and 1970s, the brand's appeal waned with the rise of cheaply available alternatives and a tightening up of the regulations governing alcohol advertising on television. 1996 saw a major relaunch of the brand and the reintroduction of the fawn mascot, a giant model of which can be seen outside the Shepton Mallet factory where the drink is produced. 1997 saw the reintroduction of Babycham Babe beauty contests that had been popular in the 1960s. The iconic 'Babycham' logo was designed and created by John Emperor of CDP (Collett Dickenson Pearce) who were a well known advertising company in London.
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Merchandise [edit]
In the first decade of the 21st century, the Babycham brand gained popularity outside the alcoholic beverage industry through authorized clothing and apparel featuring the fawn trademark and colourful, characteristically playful designs.
During 2011 sales were reported to be increasing, with approximately 15 million bottles sold each year.[3][4]
Trademark disputes [edit]
In 1978, the Babycham company was sued by French Champagne producers for abuse of their trade name. The case (H P Bulmer Ltd v J Bollinger SA [1978] RPC 79) hinged on the fact that Babycham had been described in advertising as ‘champagne perry’ or ‘champagne cider’. Champagne producers were litigating to protect their goodwill but because there would not actually be confusion, they were unsuccessful.[5]
In 2013 a trademark dispute between Accolade Wines and the Cath Kidston home furnishings company was taken to the High Court.[6][7][8]
In Popular Culture [edit]
In the movie Prizzi's Honor when Presto Ciglione asks Maerose Prizzi if she'd care to have a drink, she says, "I'll have Babycham".
In Tana French's book "Faithful Place," Carmel tells her siblings she wants a Babycham and they make fun of her for not being able to handle stronger drinks.
References [edit]
- ^ "Babycham Collectables". Miller's antiques and collectables. Retrieved 27 February 2013.
- ^ Norman, Philip (May 2004). Babycham Night: A Boyhood at the End of the Pier (Extract: The Way We Drank — Babycham). Pan Books. ISBN 0-330-48056-1.
- ^ Beckett, Fiona. "Why is Babycham popular again?". Guardian. Retrieved 27 February 2013.
- ^ Kerslake, Ross. "Blast from the perry past: Babycham". The Drinks Business. Retrieved 27 February 2013.
- ^ See for example [1] or [2]
- ^ "Babycham In Cath Kidston Logo Legal Battle". Sky News. Retrieved 27 February 2013.
- ^ "Babycham sues Cath Kidston over leaping baby deer logo". Telegraph. 13 February 2013. Retrieved 27 February 2013.
- ^ "Babycham logo row could cost fashion firm Cath Kidston deer". Western Daily Press. 15 February 2013. Retrieved 27 February 2013.
