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Cult US cartoon The Simpsons is being extended on to a range of

soft drink products to be rolled out across the UK.

The launch of six flavoured soft drinks this week is the result of a

deal between Twentieth Century Fox Licensing and Merchandising and

brewer and soft drinks manufacturer Hall & Woodhouse.

It is the first time a product range has been created based around the

Simpsons characters since the short-lived Duff Beer, which launched in

Australia in 1995. The beer, drunk by Homer in the series, was available

for five months until the US entertainment firm won a court case against

the brewer claiming copyright to the name.

The officially sanctioned soft drinks aim to strengthen Simpsons brand

awareness and are targeted primarily at adults. A food range is also

thought to be planned.

Products include D’oh Bad Apple Krush, a carbonated water and apple

juice drink and Blues, carbonated spring water with 10% red grape and

cherry juice. Other drinks include Krusty Kola, a yellow cola, and

Cherry Bomb cola. All are available in single can, multi-pack and 50cl

PET format.

Drinks aimed at the Simpsons’ secondary audience of eight- to

15-year-olds are mini-can versions of Manic Mallow, a marshmallow

flavoured cream soda, and Itchy and Scratchy, a cherry drink.

The range launches in supermarkets and independent retailers in April,

supported by PR activity and trade press advertising.

’The brand is backed by the power of pounds 130m of annual TV exposure

on Sky and BBC, so has an unparalleled momentum that we have yet to

discover,’ said Graham Jacobs, marketing manager of Hall & Woodhouse,

which also produces the Rio range and Badger Golden Champion ale.

The Simpsons characters have previously appeared on a range of

merchandise, including T-shirts and videos as well as FMCG products.

Previous licensing deals have seen Walkers using Homer Simpson to

promote its Doritos brand and Nestle using the characters in a Kit-Kat

on-pack promotion.