Timothy’s World Coffee created a new blend of “presidential” coffee to welcome Barack Obama to Canada for the U.S. president’s first visit to Ottawa yesterday.
“Timothy’s Presidential Blend No. 44,” includes beans from Kenya, Hawaii and Indonesia to reflect Obama’s family heritage, explained Bob Huitema, director of marketing for Timothy’s World Coffee. Obama is the 44th U.S. president.
“We sourced some of the best beans from those three regions. We came up with a blend that we think really reflects some of his strengths, character and robustness,” said Huitema. “Our president [George Michel] was quite inspired by the diversity that he recognized in President Obama, and the blend reflects that.”
Obama was born in Hawaii and spent some time in Indonesia as a child when his family lived there. His biological father was from Kenya.
The launch of the Presidential blend was supported through an integrated media relations campaign conducted by Veritas Communications, through in-store material developed by M2000 and online at Timothys.com.
Timothy’s locations in Ottawa and Toronto were designated as the Canadian Blogger headquarters yesterday, providing complimentary Wi-Fi and coffee to those blogging about Obama’s visit.
Packages of the blend were sent to the Prime Minister’s Office and the White House, and will be available at Timothy’s locations across Canada over the next month.
A 10-ounce bag is $10.49, while a small brewed coffee is $1.67.
