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New Zealand company Charlie's Group Limited has successfully launched its brand into the Australian market, and is being rolled out through its Phoenix Organics distribution network.

“This has been a long time coming and marks a significant milestone and opportunity for Charlie’s Group” said CEO Stefan Lepionka. “We’re one of the few juice brands in Australia with our production facility located on an orange orchard, so we know we can keep supplying high-quality products for years to come.”

Charlie’s has been available in most Australian states since October and has already opened 480 accounts in three weeks. “Through our Phoenix distributors, we have relationships with 4,500 accounts, so this gives us the potential for rapid penetration into the Australian market,” Lepionka added.

Charlie's is also set to add Vitamin Water to its brand portfolio – a first foray into the enhanced water category for the New Zealand-based beverage company.

The launch of 'Defence', 'Antioxidant', 'Multivitamin' and 'Energy' is set for December 2008.

Banned advert At the beginning of 2008, Charlie's Group courted controversy with an animated marketing campaign for its range of fruit sodas.