Big spend on UBUK brands

United Biscuits has revealed a raft of activity for its bagged snacks brands for 2010, including a new addition to the McCoy's range.

United Biscuits has revealed a raft of activity for its bagged snacks brands for 2010.

The producer plans to introduce a new addition to the McCoy's range, plus various new Phileas Fogg products and a charity on-pack promotion for Hula Hoops. Reformulations will also form part of the activity.

A new Bacon Sizzler flavour will join the McCoy's handy pack range next year, priced at 55p. The new variant is designed to sit alongside other "man crisp" flavours such as Sizzling King Prawn, which is a recent addition that has been a success so far, according to the producer. The company will also once again reduce the saturated fat content for McCoy's by a further 30%.

UBUK plans to introduce two new sharing lines for its Phileas Fogg brand. Salt & Mexican Lime Tortillas and Mediterranean Sea Salt Crisps will be launched next year, supported by a £2m TV campaign, which airs in February.

"The bagged snacks category has proved to be extremely recession-proof over the past year, with sales worth £2.1bn and growing by 7%," said marketing director for bagged snacks Helen Warren-Piper.

"Our new launches and promotional campaigns for 2010 have been designed to sustain this growth."

Meanwhile, for its Hula Hoops brand UBUK has partnered with Sport Relief to set a new World Record for the most people hula-hooping in different locations at the same time. The partnership intends to create 16 Hula Hoops Hoopathons across the UK at the flagship Sainsbury's Sport Relief Mile Events on 21 March 2010.

The charity partnership will include an on-pack donation mechanic whereby UBUK donates £1 every time consumers donate to the campaign via text or online.

The campaign will be supported by a £1m spend. PoS packs will be available for licensees from the middle of January.