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Pepsi is Expected to Launch New Drink this Summer

The number 2 soft drink company in the world, Pepsi, is expected to issue a new brand of sort drink this summer. The new drink will be a fruit-flavored diet cola drink and will be called "Jazz." This new move is intended to add more excitement to the Pepsi`s cola line, as one industry expert said.

John Sicher, editor of industry trade publication Beverage Digest, said possible flavors would include strawberries, cream, and cherry-vanilla. The brand would belong to the Pepsi trademark although it is not certain whether it will also carry the Pepsi name. The product is expected to launch some time in the summer, Sicher said. "The diet cola category is still growing and both Coke and Pepsi already have flavored cola offerings which have done well," Sicher said. "This new product should create some excitement for Pepsi because fruity-flavored drinks right now are popular with consumers."

Sicher said it was also unclear whether "Jazz" will become a permanent addition to Pepsi`s portfolio but that as the new products are launched, Pepsi will discontinue production of regular and diet Pepsi Twist and regular Pepsi Vanilla. Coca-Cola Co. already has a black cherry vanilla version of Diet Coke, which it launched in January. Pepsi spokesperson Nicole Bradley declined to comment on the story other than to say that the company is "always looking for new ways to grow our portfolio and innovation is very important to us."