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Um Bongo

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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 207.67.82.250 (talk) at 16:05, 21 November 2011 (→Formula change). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

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Um Bongo is a mixed tropical fruit juice drink sold in the United Kingdom, manufactured by Gerber Juice Company Limited under the name Libby's.

History

Um Bongo was first created in 1983[1][2], and originally in Milnthorpe, Cumbria, but is currently produced at Gerber's plant in Somerset. Um Bongo contains a blend of 9 different types of fruit, and was sold in either 250ml (x9) cartons or 1 little carton.

Formula change

File:UmBongoMeal.jpg
100% Juice from 2007

In the late 90's parents complained about the amount of sugar and artificial flavourings in many children fruits drinks,[3] which resulted in new regulations coming into operation. This resulted in Um Bongo having its Formula changed around 2003/2004 to comply with the new rules. The end result was most of the original ingredients being removed and being re-branded as "Um Bongo-100% juice" which only contains 3 fruits: bananas, oranges and pineapples. New packaging for the product was also introduced by 2007, on which much reference to the Congo has been removed[4].

Return of Original Um Bongo

Original 2011 version

From the time Libby's changed the formula, the company received many complaints. This resulted in their deciding to bring back the original Um Bongo formula in 2009. "Classic" Um Bongo was originally renamed "Um Bongo Tropical" and was also repackaged in new plastic 500ml bottles and placed in the chilled section of supermarkets/consumer shops. Libby's set up a website along with Facebook and YouTube accounts, to help gather additional support.

Since May 2011, Original version is now back in the shops, with 500ml bottle and 200ml carton, which can be bought from Asda stores. 100% Topical juice version has since been discontinue and replace with Original.

Europe

Gerber Foods Soft Drinks Limited only exports and produces its products to Europe, originally under the Libby's. Um Bongo is also produced in Portugal and Spain along with a different version of the recipe and of the advert.[5][6]

It was believed it was unlikely that Um Bongo is drunk in either the Republic of the Congo or the Democratic Republic of the Congo, but the Portuguese version has been spotted for sale in a 'Jambo mart'[7] in Lubumbashi in Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Um Bongo is particularly famous for its long running (sung) slogan of "Um Bongo Um Bongo They Drink It In The Congo", used with the accompanying animated television advert since 1985[8].

The song was sung by the late Tony Jackson, who at the time was a backing vocalist for Paul Young and Billy Ocean, but later became a member of the urban dance band 'Rage', best known for their cover version of Bryan Adams' Run to You which reached #3 in the UK Singles Chart in 1992. The music and lyrics were composed by Andy Blackford, now creative partner in the advertising agency KB49,[9] and are available here: Um Bongo Website. The jingle was produced by Andre Jacquemin, musical composer, arranger and producer to Monty Python[citation needed].

The advert itself was created by Oscar Grillo at Klacto Animations. Their earlier 1984 Kia-Or advert established a new trend and led to them being commissioned to make the Umbongo for Leo Burnett.[10].

Other versions

Libby's have created two other types of fruit drink since 1980's:

Libby's - Moonshine, which lasted until 1992, contained more domestic fruits such as strawberries, raspberries, apples, blackberries and cherries.[11] The animated adverts contained the slogan "Moonshine, looks pretty weird but it tastes just fine".

In 1999, Um Bongo gained a sister drink called "Um Ognob", where Bongo was spelled backwards,[12] The new flavour, Contain a blend of apple, banana, apricot, orange and passion fruit juice, but it was removed around 2002.

References

  1. ^ http://www.animatormag.com/video/entertaining/um-bongo-oscar-grillo/
  2. ^ http://www.simplyeighties.com/um-bongo-advert.php
  3. ^ http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/detox-the-kids-the-bogeyman-is-in-your-fridge-1112354.html
  4. ^ http://www.talkingretail.com/products/product-news/um-bongo-adds-new-juice-and-smoothie-variants
  5. ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTMfeCnlnZo&feature=related
  6. ^ http://www.edwud.com/2010/05/24/um-bongo-cartoons/
  7. ^ Gabriel in the Congo 20th of July 2011
  8. ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGdPkJGMZj0&
  9. ^ Andy Blackford's Official website
  10. ^ http://www.animatormag.com/video/entertaining/um-bongo-oscar-grillo/
  11. ^ [1] moonshine advert
  12. ^ "P&P packs and promotions". Grocer. William Reed Business Media. 1999-07-03. Retrieved 2008-10-06.
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