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Rockstar (drink)

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Rockstar
500 ml can of Original Rockstar Energy Drink as sold in Germany
Product typeEnergy drink
OwnerPepsiCo
CountryUnited States
Introduced2001; 24 years ago (2001)
Websiterockstarenergy.com

Rockstar (stylized as ROCKST★R or ЯR) is a brand of energy drinks created in 2001,[1] which had a 10% market share of the global energy drink market in 2020, the third-highest after Red Bull and Monster Energy.[2] Rockstar is based in Purchase, New York. As of January 2013, Rockstar Energy Drink is available in more than 20 flavors and in more than 30 countries. In 2020 the Rockstar brand and company were purchased by PepsiCo.

History

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Founded in 2001 by Russell Weiner,[1] the son of right-wing radio show host Michael Savage,[3] Rockstar launched into what was the fastest-growing segment of the U.S. beverage market at the time, energy drinks.[4] In addition to featuring different ingredients, which it claimed were "scientifically formulated to speed the recovery time of those who lead active and exhausting lifestyles—from athletes to rock stars",[5] Rockstar sought to differentiate itself from the market leader, Red Bull, by using a 16 US fluid ounces (470 ml) can size as opposed to Red Bull's 8 US fluid ounces (240 ml) can, and drawing attention to this fact with the slogan "twice the size of Red Bull for the same price".[4]

By 2007, Rockstar was one of the top three energy drink brands in North America, with a 155% growth in sales in 2004,[6] reaching $48 million,[7] and had sold over a billion cans.[8] It had 14% of the US energy drink market in 2008,[9] and as of 2009 was available in over 20 countries. Among those countries the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, Spain, Japan, Hong Kong, Australia, Mexico, Malta, New Zealand, Argentina, the Netherlands, Finland, South Africa, Morocco and Colombia. Rockstar switched distributors from the Coca-Cola Company to PepsiCo in the summer of 2009.[10]

Production and distribution for the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland was franchised to Irn Bru owners A.G. Barr,[11] This contract was terminated in 2020, following the acquisition by PepsiCo.[12]

In 2020 PepsiCo acquired Rockstar Energy for $3.85 billion.[13][14]

In 2021, PepsiCo altered the flavor of the "Original" version and can styling underwent a re-design as part of a new marketing campaign.[15]

Contents

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Original Rockstar Energy Drink includes sugar, caffeine, and a variety of herbs, like panax ginseng, ginkgo biloba, milk thistle extract, and guarana-seed extract. The amount of guarana used to be higher, but "after being criticized for including guarana once health concerns about the herb were publicized, the amount in the drink was significantly reduced".[16] It also includes 1000 mg of taurine.[17]

Rockstar products in the US have two levels of caffeine content: either 10 mg of caffeine per ounce, or 15 mg of caffeine per ounce. Rockstar Energy Drink Original contains 160 mg of caffeine per 16 ounce can, while the Rockstar Punched and Pure Zero energy drinks contain 240 mg of caffeine per 16 ounce can.

Several alcoholic versions of Rockstar are available in Canada; an alcoholic version in the US was discontinued in 2007, possibly in response to criticism that young people were confusing the alcoholic version with the regular one.[18]

Criticism

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Health issues

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Rockstar Original was named Worst Energy Drink by Men's Health magazine for having 280 calories due to 67.5 grams of sugar. Monster Energy Lo-Carb, with 20 calories, was suggested as a replacement.[19]

In general, energy drinks can cause jitteriness and anxiety. If mixed with alcohol, they may also mask the level of alcohol intoxication.[20][21]

Corporate governance

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Members of the LGBT community have spoken out against Rockstar because the company's founder and chief executive officer, Russell Weiner, is the son of right-wing radio personality Michael Savage and because its former chief financial officer, Janet Weiner, is Savage's wife and CFO of his production company.[22][23][24] In May 2009, then San Francisco mayor Gavin Newsom returned a $25,000 donation which Russell Weiner had made to his 2010 re-election campaign.[23][25]

Janet Weiner stepped down from her role as CFO of Savage Productions "as an apparent statement of solidarity with equality advocates" which had not been requested as part of the agreement.[26]

Sponsorship

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Two examples of Rockstar racing cars sponsorship

Like its competitors Red Bull and Monster Energy, Rockstar has sponsored a range of action sports and music events.

The sponsorships included the Mayhem Festival, a metal and rock festival touring the United States in July and August, the Uproar Festival, a rock festival touring the United States in September and October, and the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series.[27] Both the Mayhem and Uproar events were discontinued in 2015. The Lucas racing events were discontinued in 2020.

Rockstar also sponsored various action sports competitors, such as the Husqvarna factory motorcycle riders Gautier Paulin, Graham Jarvis and Pablo Quintanilla, motorcycle road racer Jorge Lorenzo (2011–2012), flat track rider Bryan Smith, rallycross drivers Tanner Foust and Scott Speed, off-road truck driver Rob MacCachren, and drifters Fredric Aasbø and Ryan Tuerck.[citation needed]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Russ Weiner". Forbes. Retrieved June 20, 2025.
  2. ^ "Energy Drink Market Share | T4". www.t4.ai. Retrieved April 22, 2023.
  3. ^ "Neo-Conservative Host Once Embraced the Counterculture". San Jose Mercury News. July 25, 2003. Archived from the original on December 3, 2003. Retrieved October 21, 2012.
  4. ^ a b Day, Sherri (April 4, 2004). "Business; Energy Drinks Charm the Young and Caffeinated". The New York Times. Retrieved January 11, 2025.
  5. ^ Grimes, William (May 23, 2004). "Just Browsing; Opening 13 Cans of Whoop". The New York Times. Retrieved January 11, 2025.
  6. ^ Leith, Scott (May 29, 2005) "Coke gets in on hot energy drink market
  7. ^ Martinex, Arlene (April 17, 2004). "Red Bull Is Determined to Defend Its Territory". Los Angeles Times.
  8. ^ Caffell, Paul (May 22, 2008) "Rockstar the 5 million can brand in the UK.... and counting...." Fluidtrade
  9. ^ Reuters, February 20, 2009, PepsiCo sees $650 million in snacks for women
  10. ^ Casey, Matt (February 19, 2009). "PepsiCo signs deal to distribute Rockstar via Pepsi bottlers". Bevnet.com. Retrieved May 7, 2009.
  11. ^ "Barr renews US energy drink deal". BBC News. June 26, 2012.
  12. ^ "Rockstar terminates contract with AG Barr". June 24, 2020 – via www.talkingretail.com.
  13. ^ Lucas, Amelia; Eisen, Sara (March 11, 2020). "PepsiCo to acquire energy drink maker Rockstar Energy in a $3.85 billion deal". CNBC. Retrieved March 11, 2020.
  14. ^ Lucas, Amelia (January 28, 2021). "Rockstar Energy to air its first-ever Super Bowl ad to introduce new branding under PepsiCo". CNBC. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
  15. ^ "PepsiCo repositions Rockstar as it looks to shake off its 'immature' image". April 27, 2021 – via www.marketingweek.com.
  16. ^ Sanders, Monica. "The Story behind Rock Star Energy Drink". legalzoom.com. Archived from the original on June 14, 2009.
  17. ^ "Original Rockstar Ingredients". rockstar69.com. n.d. Archived from the original on December 20, 2008.
  18. ^ "Study finds dangers in energy drinks with booze, Golden gate X-press, 6 December 2007". Archived from the original on January 31, 2008.
  19. ^ "The Worst Drinks in America". eatthis.menshealth.com. Archived from the original on September 24, 2009. Retrieved September 28, 2009.
  20. ^ "Golden Gate [X]press : Energy Drinks More Dangerous than Efficient". sfsu.edu. Archived from the original on June 26, 2009. Retrieved June 17, 2009.
  21. ^ "Caffeine and Energy Boosting Drugs: Energy Drinks". Brown University. Archived from the original on June 16, 2009.
  22. ^ Edge, June 11, 2009, Should You Boycott Rockstar?
  23. ^ a b Gaywired Staff (June 4, 2009). "Rockstar Demands Retraction from Gaywired". gaywired.com. Archived from the original on June 12, 2009.
  24. ^ Glover, Katherine (July 22, 2009). "Rockstar Exec, Son of Michael Savage, Disavows Homophobia". CBS News. Retrieved March 3, 2024.
  25. ^ San Diego Union-Tribune (May 23, 2009). "Newsom campaign to return Rockstar CEO's donation". San Diego Union-Tribune. Oakland Tribune. Retrieved January 11, 2025.
  26. ^ "Rockstar Energy Drink CFO breaks ties with Savage Productions | The Bilerico Project". Bilerico.com. July 17, 2009. Retrieved October 21, 2012.
  27. ^ "FMQB: Radio Industry News, Music Industry Updates, Nielsen Ratings, Music News and more!". fmqb.com.
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