Orbit (Wrigley's Orbit), referred to as Extra in the United Kingdom and Freedent in Europe, is a brand of sugarless chewing gum from the Wrigley Company. In the United States, where it was re-launched in 2001, Wrigley press release, wrigley.com. Retrieved 2006-06-15. it is sold in cardboard boxes with 14 individually wrapped pieces per package. In the UK, where it was launched in 1899 Wrigley press release, wrigley.co.uk. Article retrieved 2006-06-15. it was originally sold as a traditional long-stick gum, later replaced by the same format as the US.
Orbit White, packaged in blister packs of 20 pieces, was released to compete with Cadbury' Trident White gum in 2001. "Category Wars: Wrigley Returns To Orbit In Whitening Showdown" by Mike Beirne, Brandweek, 5/17/2004, Vol. 45 Issue 20, p11.
The gum was reintroduced 30 years later in 1976, when it was introduced in Germany, Switzerland and The Netherlands. This marked the first time that a sugar-free gum was marketed under the Wrigley name. The brand was later introduced in other countries, including Canada, Australia, the UK, Norway, Poland, Israel and Serbia.
The gum returned to American shelves in the late 1970s, but was removed from the shelves in the 1980s due to a suspicion that the sweetener might cause cancer. The gum was relaunched in the US in 2001.
Orbit gum is now sold in the UK as Wrigleys Extra, alongside the 'real', hard shell Extra gum.
In 2014, Orbit moved to a more global approach to marketing, replacing the Orbit Girl, and with a new commercial with Sarah Silverman to kick off its new campaign: "Eat. Drink. Chew Orbit." to emphasize the benefits of chewing gum after eating and drinking.
In the UK and Ireland the Orbit name was replaced by Extra in 2015, with the same 14-piece package. In 2019 the replacement was applied in Germany as well.
Excel Mist in Canada had "micro-bursts" which are small polka dot chips filled with a flavor contrast to the rest of the stick. The "micro-bursts" were meant to create "a hydrating sensation", as claimed on the box. Orbit discontinued the Orbit Mist subline in 2013.
|
|