Rondo (soft drink)

Rondo (Soft Drink)

Rondo was a citrus-flavored soft drink available in limited U.S. markets in the late 1970s and early 1980s, one of many introduced to compete with the successful PepsiCo product, Mountain Dew.

History

Rondo was marketed as a "thirst quencher" that was "blended from fine essences" and "lightly carbonated". It is mostly known for its slogan - "Rondo---The Thirst Crusher" - as well as its commercials, featuring people crushing the cans in various ways. The drink was available in 12-ounce cans and 2-liter bottles, it was distributed by The Seven-Up Company.

Flavor

Rondo's flavor was described as a light, somewhat tart citrus flavor, not as sweet or as heavy in consistency as Mountain Dew or Mello Yello. It was yellow-green in color and somewhat cloudy in appearance.

Marketing

Rondo's marketing strategy was aggressive, with its slogan "Rondo - The Thirst Crusher" and its commercials showing people doing tough jobs and then crushing the can. The idea was to appeal to the "macho" men who did physical labor and needed a thirst quencher. The commercials and the can design were done by the advertising agency Leo Burnett.

Discontinuation

Rondo was discontinued in the early 1980s. The exact reasons for its discontinuation are not known, but it is speculated that it was due to competition from other similar drinks and a lack of distinctiveness in the market.

Legacy

Despite its short lifespan, Rondo has left a lasting impression on those who remember it. It is often mentioned in discussions of discontinued beverages and "retro" products. It has even been featured in a segment on the Food Network show, "Unwrapped".

See Also

• List of defunct consumer brands
• List of soft drinks by country

External Links

• Rondo at Soda-Machines.Com
• X-Entertainment article on Rondo