Socko Energy Climbs into the Ring with Rocky Balboa for His Final Fight

29/12/06 Continuing the brand’s move toward gaining increased exposure throughout the U.S., Socko Energy will be featured prominently throughout Rocky Balboa, the sixth and final film in the Rocky franchise, which hits theatres this week. Proving that life often imitates art, Socko’s exposure throughout the film will put the fastest growing independent energy drink in the same heavyweight class as its competitors.

Responsible for the company’s deal with MGM are Eric Bischoff and Jason Hervey, partners in Socko’s parent company, Bliss Beverage and co-founders of entertainment and marketing company Bischoff-Hervey Entertainment (BHE TV, LLC). For more than a year, Bischoff and partner Jason Hervey have sought out opportunities to brand Socko on a global level through non-traditional, entertainment-based marketing initiatives.

As part of the company’s agreement and relationship with MGM, Socko receives significant placement in the film, including:

* Socko Energy bright green logo receives more than 20 minutes of exposure in the final fight scene as the logo is prominently featured on the four corners of the ring’s mat.

* Rocky opponent Mason “The Line” Dixon’s corner men display the Socko Energy logo on each of their uniforms in the opening fight scene as well as the final fight scene between Rocky Balboa and Mason Dixon.

* Rocky’s son, Rocky Jr., and friends enjoy a Socko and Socko Slim in multiple bar scenes throughout the film.

“Socko is the Rocky of energy drinks,” said Mike Jannicelli, vice president Bliss Beverage. “This project sparked our interest because we saw a lot of parallels between our story and the underdog Rocky saga. As a small, independent beverage company, we’re constantly going up against the big guys, but with exposure like this, we now have an edge against our competitors.”

“We’re thrilled with the very prominent placement that Socko has throughout the film,” said Bischoff, a 20-year veteran of the sports entertainment industry. “To be part of the timeless, classic Rocky franchise and have the Socko footage live on in film history makes this one of the most exciting branded entertainment opportunities we could deliver.” Hervey added, “It was a true honor to work on this project and we are more than grateful for the significant exposure that Socko received.”

The announcement of Socko’s exposure in Rocky Balboa is just one of many branded entertainment and non-traditional marketing initiatives brought to Socko by BHE. Earlier this year, Socko Energy gained increased exposure throughout the U.S. for its partnership with Hulk Hogan to develop “Hogan Energy powered by Socko.” The energy drink made its television debut in May 2006 with a guest appearance on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” while VH1’s reality show “Hogan Knows Best” has chronicled the drink’s development throughout the last year.

Most recently, Bischoff-Hervey Entertainment and Socko Energy formed a multi-year licensing and promotions partnership with World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. The deal will yield new products including a limited edition “RAW Attitude Powered By Socko” as well as quarterly collectors’ edition promotional cans featuring WWE pay-per-view branded names including “SummerSlam Energy Powered By Socko” and “WrestleMania Energy Powered By Socko,” among others.

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