Bundy Rum growls at rumours

THERE is no sign of a last drinks call in the Bundy Bear’s future, despite what you may have heard.

As the much-loved Bundaberg Rum brand announced a change to the Bundaberg Distilling Company’s logo, rumours began flying that Bundy R Bear was getting the axe from his home of more than 50 years.

However Bundy Rum’s mother company, Diageo, yesterday has assured us the popular polar bear would be staying put, both on the bottle and in advertising campaigns.

“Bundaberg rum’s mascot, Bundy R Bear is still featured on the product range,” the company said.

Bundaberg Rum marketing manager Matt Bruhn added the rum brand would also continue to use Bundy R Bear in future advertising.

The only changes to the brand will be a redesign of the Bundaberg Distilling Company’s logo, which does not feature on the spirit bottle.

The new logo shows the faces of Bundaberg Rum’s founding fathers, Frederic Buss, AP Barton, and FL Nott.

Together, they rescued the now famous Bundaberg Distillery from liquidation in 1894.

“This is the first redesign for the brand since 2004,” Mr Bruhn said.

“Bundaberg Rum’s new iconography and packaging enhances the brand’s strong credentials, whilst highlighting its origins and reputation as quality rum.”

Just hours after the announcement, a Facebook page, Save the Bundaberg Rum Bear, was established.

However media and marketing website MuMbrella has slammed the page, saying the whole process was one big publicity stunt.

Writer Tim Burrowes investigated the page and claims he found “a remarkable coincidence” — that employees of a publicity company were some of the first to join the page, which had only 59 members on Thursday afternoon.

“Here’s another coincidence,” Mr Burrowes said.

“Via Facebook, I was invited to ‘like’ the group this morning. The person who invited me works at digital agency Amnesia Razorfish. Guess who’s on Amnesia’s client list on their website? Diageo, owner of Bundaberg Rum,” he wrote.

Misunderstanding or media stunt?