4 ms·

There is an extremely similar drink in the UK (and probably elsewhere) called Ovaltine which is marketed as an energy drink. I always thought it was odd that t

by sealjam 10y ago

There is an extremely similar drink in the UK (and probably elsewhere) called Ovaltine which is marketed as an energy drink. I always thought it was odd that two such similar drinks were marketed in such contrary ways. Horlicks to make your sleep and Ovaltine to give you energy. Perhaps that was the point at which I realised marketeers weren't always scientific in their advice :(

JauntTrooper 10y ago
Interesting, Ovaltine is marketed as an energy drink in the U.K.? Growing up in the US in the 1990s it was marketed as chocolate milk with vitamins (so therefore good for your kids).
- sealjam 10y ago
  Had to double check but seems so! (link to image of ovaltine jar) https://www.catchthedeal.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/2-x-Ovaltine-energy-drink-300x300.jpg https://www.catchthedeal.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/2...
  - lumisota 10y ago
    This appears to be an Australian version. UK: http://www.ovaltine.co.uk/media/22661/ovaltine-original-addmilk-product-small.png http://www.ovaltine.co.uk/media/22661/ovaltine-original-addm...
    - sealjam 10y ago
      There was similar marketing in the UK too. http://www.just-drinks.com/news/ovaltine-reinvents-itself-with-energy-tag_id77071.aspx http://www.just-drinks.com/news/ovaltine-reinvents-itself-wi...
williamgb 10y ago
Interesting! I cannot recall any such marketing materials for Ovaltine. The only reference I can find regarding this strategy is from 2000[0]. Both the drink and the brand, in my experience at least, have always been associated with comfort, family, pajamas and bedtime. I seem to recall "Ovalteeney" being a mild pejoritve to describe those of a quiet/calm nature. [0] http://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/ovaltine-target-younger-drinkers-energy-ads/57013 http://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/ovaltine-target-younge...
sonabinu 10y ago
oh the amount of Ovaltine my mother made me drink as a kid !!!
gotrecruit 10y ago
if you ever see Ovaltine cookies or biscuits, get them because they're delicious. there are 2 types - the normal kind and the sandwich type, both are equally good.
dTal 10y ago
Why do they call it Ovaltine? Mug is round... Jar is round... They should call it Round-tine!
- gattilorenz 10y ago
  Ba-dum-tsssss... However it brings up a funny story: the original name is Ovomaltine, not Ovaltine, referring to the egg (ovum) and malt ingredients (I think there's no eggs inside anymore). But there was a typo in the trademark application for UK early on, and the name stood like that. It's still Ovomaltine in Italy, for example. Now, on Wikipedia there is no source for this story, and it might be possible that they decided to change the name for easier pronunciation in English, or because the connection ovum->egg was difficult anyway, or other unknown reasons, but I want to believe the first version anyway.

by sealjam 10y ago

JauntTrooper 10y ago

Interesting, Ovaltine is marketed as an energy drink in the U.K.? Growing up in the US in the 1990s it was marketed as chocolate milk with vitamins (so therefore good for your kids).

sealjam 10y ago
Had to double check but seems so! (link to image of ovaltine jar) https://www.catchthedeal.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/2-x-Ovaltine-energy-drink-300x300.jpg https://www.catchthedeal.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/2...
- lumisota 10y ago
  This appears to be an Australian version. UK: http://www.ovaltine.co.uk/media/22661/ovaltine-original-addmilk-product-small.png http://www.ovaltine.co.uk/media/22661/ovaltine-original-addm...
  - sealjam 10y ago
    There was similar marketing in the UK too. http://www.just-drinks.com/news/ovaltine-reinvents-itself-with-energy-tag_id77071.aspx http://www.just-drinks.com/news/ovaltine-reinvents-itself-wi...

williamgb 10y ago

Interesting! I cannot recall any such marketing materials for Ovaltine. The only reference I can find regarding this strategy is from 2000[0]. Both the drink and the brand, in my experience at least, have always been associated with comfort, family, pajamas and bedtime. I seem to recall "Ovalteeney" being a mild pejoritve to describe those of a quiet/calm nature. [0] http://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/ovaltine-target-younger-drinkers-energy-ads/57013 http://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/ovaltine-target-younge...

sonabinu 10y ago

oh the amount of Ovaltine my mother made me drink as a kid !!!

gotrecruit 10y ago

if you ever see Ovaltine cookies or biscuits, get them because they're delicious. there are 2 types - the normal kind and the sandwich type, both are equally good.

dTal 10y ago

Why do they call it Ovaltine? Mug is round... Jar is round... They should call it Round-tine!

gattilorenz 10y ago
Ba-dum-tsssss... However it brings up a funny story: the original name is Ovomaltine, not Ovaltine, referring to the egg (ovum) and malt ingredients (I think there's no eggs inside anymore). But there was a typo in the trademark application for UK early on, and the name stood like that. It's still Ovomaltine in Italy, for example. Now, on Wikipedia there is no source for this story, and it might be possible that they decided to change the name for easier pronunciation in English, or because the connection ovum->egg was difficult anyway, or other unknown reasons, but I want to believe the first version anyway.