SOUTH Pacific (SP) Lager had been a brand name enjoyed by consumers all over Papua New Guinea (PNG) and the visitors too since 1952 when the brand went on public sale in the country for the first time on November 26.
The brand’s 70th anniversary was officially launched on Monday, April 4, marking a milestone for SP Lager, a brand that also seen as a national icon, as it is referred to as the national beer of PNG.
South Pacific Brewery (SPB) Managing Director Ed Weggemans said that in a diverse country like PNG, only few national brands can actually bring Papua New Guineans together from all walks of life and SP Lager is one of them.
“From the first pour, the brand has journeyed with the nation, marking many milestone occasions that have fostered the feeling of national pride and togetherness,” said Weggemans.
“Through SP Lager’s current slogan ‘Bungim Yumi’, we continue to build on the value of Brewing the Joy of True Togetherness, both as a brand and Company. This is what makes us uniquely PNG,” he said.
Weggemans said SP Lager brand had also been journeying in the local sporting arena.
“From the first locally hosted South Pacific Games in 1969, which SP co-sponsored to celebrating the raising of the national flag for the first time in 1975 as an independent state,” said Weggemans.
“From the first SP Intercity Cup in 1990 to one of our biggest highlights in PNG rugby league, when the SP Hunters entered the Queensland Intrust Super Cup and then winning the 2017 grand final,” he said.
Weggemans added that as a registered PNG company, SP Brewery through its SP Lager brand has also been playing an important role in contributing to the PNG economy and the Government’s national purse.
“This journey demonstrates how the brand has been able to withstand the test of time whilst remaining relevant in an evolving market. The brand continues to maintain the same great quality it was back then and is still the beer of choice we all come together to enjoy, regardless of status, region or gender,” he said.
SP Brewery designed a special logo for the SP Lager brand to commemorate its 70th anniversary.
This logo will be incorporated into all of the brand’s activities in the market, including television advertising, radio, social media and billboards.
The logo had also been featured on the Company’s fleet, at the two breweries on-site and on cooling equipment out in trade.
SP Brewery would also release a special limited-edition collectable packaging design on both SP Lager bottles and cans towards the second half of the year.
