In today's world, the name Red Bull and the slogan "Red Bull Gives You Wings has been inscribed into the minds of consumers around the globe. The popular energy drink, which seems to have sky-rocketed in US as well as world-wide sales is no miracle drug, although it does seem that way by the overflowing demand. Known to many as a coffee substitute, Red Bull is able to give its buyers that extra push or burst of energy to keep their day going due to its increased amounts of caffeine, without the nasty aftertaste of coffee. No doubt its marketing strategies have made a massive impact on its increased sales, but at its start, it is no lie to call Red Bull a self-made success. In a time where everyone is craving a few extra hours of sleep or that boost to get them through the day, the advent of the Red Bull trend has sparked well founded controversies about its effects on its clients as well as the economy. But despite all the arguments surrounding the popular energy drink, it is obvious that this craze will remain intact for many years to come.
Corporate legend has it that in the early 1980s, while traveling to Asia on business, Austrian Dietrich Mateschiz came across some very popular "energy drinks". While in Thailand, he saw that the rickshaw drivers drank a substance to keep them energized throughout the day known to the Thai as Krating Daeng', a popular health tonic which roughly translated, means the Red Bull, in English. After some alterations to the recipe, and a flavor modification for the public, Red Bull was born. With his "uncanny instinct for successful product innovations", Mateschiz brought a small sample of energy beverages back to Europe along with a big idea. Then, with a clear vision and a lot of scientific knowledge, Dietrich and several other unnamed food scientists gave birth to the Red Bull Energy Drink which first hit shelves in Austria and the rest of Europe in 1987 (Wikipedia Online).
In 1997, when
Cited: "Red Bull." Everything 2. 18 Feb. 2001. [Online] 30 May 2006. < http://everything2.com/index.pl?node_id=61783>