Australian-owned energy drink Kanguru has announced it will launch into South Korea later this year alongside the appointment of Mr David Westall to the key position of President for the Asia Pacific Region.

Kanguru is a high performance clean smart energy plus vitality drink that is better for you, created by Australian medical specialist, Dr David Kitchen.

Dr Kitchen, Chairman and CEO of Red Kangaroo Beverages Australia Pty Ltd that produces Kanguru, said he was delighted to officially welcome Westall to the team.

“We started exploring overseas opportunities and chose South Korea as our first country to launch into,” he said. “Since December 2018 we’ve had the privilege of working with David as an advisor and board member. His breadth of knowledge and experience within the category, and across both the Australian and Asian marketplace, is unsurpassed.”

“We started exploring overseas opportunities and chose South Korea as our first country to launch into,” he said. “Since December 2018 we’ve had the privilege of working with David as an advisor and board member. His breadth of knowledge and experience within the category, and across both the Australian and Asian marketplace, is unsurpassed.”

“His experience includes the development and introduction of numerous innovative new brands, across many regions in multiple beverage and food categories including Energy Drinks, Soft Drinks, Water, Fruit Juice, Sports Drinks, Confectionery, Dairy Products, Snacks and Tea. I’m excited by how his experience will help facilitate the continued growth and development for Kanguru,” Kitchen said.

Westall said he was excited to join the team and that he believed this product was extremely unique, delivered on its promise, and would redefine the category.

“I’m confident Kanguru will rewrite what is ‘acceptable’ for people to consume as a real energy drink,” he said.

“I’ve studied and tested the science that has gone into the creation of Kanguru and quite simply it does what it says – it doesn’t cause harm, but enhances your mind and body, enabling you to get more out of life. It has a substantial amount of evidence-based ingredients and it has a wonderful citrus taste. This product will redefine energy drinks and functional beverages.”

Westall said that Kanguru’s Korean launch date was marked for early September.

“There are more than 10,000 convenience stores ready to take their first shelf stock of Kanguru,” he said. “The Korean team are busy signing listings with many other retail sales channels including supermarkets, cafes, gyms, universities, highway petrol stations and online markets.”

Westall said his first priority would be growing distribution and consumer marketing in regards to the unique and high-quality innovative formula of Kanguru.

“We firstly need to ensure that our clients and customers are educated, understand and believe in our product,” he said. “My focus in the short term will be Australia and South Korea, followed by plans to expand throughout Asia and onto the rest of the world.

“I am very motivated to leverage my experience, knowledge, skills and global network to ensure Kanguru, the first and only Australian energy drink, is available to all consumers who are looking for a clean solution to their daily energy and vitality needs. I look forward to working with our Australian and international teams and can’t wait to get started.”

Westall’s stellar career in food and beverage includes: Managing Director Coca Cola Amatil New Zealand and Fiji (2000-2003), President Coca Cola Korea Bottling Company (2003-2005), and more recently, Executive Chairman of RG Brands – the Pepsi/Lipton bottling partner and leading food and beverage manufacturer in Kazakhstan, Central Asia (2009-2015).

Westall starts in his new position with Red Kangaroo Beverages Australia Pty Ltd this week.

Kanguru launched in Australia in April 2018 and today is stocked in outlets across all states of Australia. For more information visit: www.kanguruenergy.com.au.