Pepsi-HLL to fizz with iced tea

Looking to expand its portfolio before the start of the big summer season, cola major Pepsi said on Monday it would come out with Lipton iced tea, in partnership with HLL, in the next few months, even as it eyes a 20 per cent revenue growth of its carbonated drinks this year.

"We will be launching Lipton iced tea in three cities to begin with, from where we would gradually expand," Pepsi India chief Rajiv Bakshi said.

He said they would be offering the drink in glass bottled version, adding that "plastic version may or may not come soon."

In 2003, Pepsi and HLL had signed an agreement for selling hot beverages, including Lipton tea and other flavoured drinks. The plan to sell Lipton iced tea was part of an international agreement signed last year between Pepsi and HLL parent Unilever.

Speaking on the carbonated soft drink segment segment, the Pepsi India chief said the company had a 17-18 growth last year.

The company has recently gone in for a hike in prices of its various offerings and Bakshi expected a 20 per cent jump in terms of value this year.

The company, which launched a new campaign for its 7UP drink featuring model Yana Gupta as well as an Indianised version of its animated brand ambassador 'Fido', said its advertising and market budget will be up 15-20 per cent this year.

Among other things, the company is the title sponsor for one-day part of the forthcoming India-Pakistan cricket series.