ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Red Bull is probably one of the most interesting brands ever created. Since its launch in Austria in 1986 and the launch in South Africa in November 1997, Red Bull has caused a stir. Dietrich Mateschitz created Red Bull after visiting Thailand and seeing the taxi drivers drinking syrup called Kraling Daeng. He took this mixture to his home country and started to develop something more acceptable to the Western taste. The Red Bull brand was developed and built by firstly developing the taste, then designing the can and lastly designing the famous cartoons. Only thereafter the rollout started. Red Bull created a new drinks category called energy drinks. This research will take a close look at and discuss how Red Bull used the strategic marketing process to decide whether to enter the South African market, and from a marketing point of view, how the brand was and still is managed, focusing specifically on the first ten years since its launch in South Africa. Red Bull hit the South African shops in November 1997. Thishappened after a local distributor, THUMB Trading and later J Melnick & Company, did some analysis about the market. This industry, political, economic, social, technical and environmental analysis showed that the brand could be successful in the country. The volatile and ever changing exchange rate and import duties would however be the biggest external factors affecting the pricing in South Africa. Red Bull Head Office together with the local distributor investigated the market size and market potential, concluding that there was huge potential to launch the product in South Africa. The distributor at the time, THUMB Trading, was a consumer goods importer with good knowledge of the market. Their distribution and penetration into the retail market was solid although they lacked in the newly identified on-premise market. A new team was established to service this on-premise market, which was Red Bull 's focus when entering the market, supported by consumer sampling. The first phase, getting the silver and blue can into all the trendy and well-known on-premise outlets, was very successful but soon the next phase of rolling the brand out to the retail and convenience stores needed to commence. This coincided with even more consumerawareness programs across the country. The marketing activities soon followed, not in the traditional 4 Ps style of price, product, placeand promotion, but something quite different. Red Bull introduced their methodology looking at the brand based on five pillars - media, sport and events sponsoring, consumer collecting, trade and retail promotions, and market research. These pillars each have their specific goals closelyinteracted to form an integrated marketing approach. Red Bull has unique brand events such as Boxcart and "Flugtag" (Flying day) to create theawareness and fun around the brand. These events are held in popular and spectacular locations, which attract tens of thousands of spectators to witness the brand at first hand. The Red Bull sponsored and supported athletes help to promote the functionality of the brand by helpingathletes (and other consumers) with endurance, recovery, concentration and focus in time when they need it most. The marketing mix also consists of trade and retail promotions where Red Bull has developed specific point-of-sale items for the different channels. The category management and "global score" projects further enhance the Red Bull visibility, resulting in increased sales. Red Bull looks at the marketing spend on a monthly basis making sure it is progressing according to the budget. Any deviations found in the control process are carefully analysed and the adjustments are made accordingly. The local marketing team has to submit a revision at theend of each quarter making sure they stay on track according to the Annual Business Plan approved in December of the previous year. Monthly feedback is given to the country manager or Quarterback and Area Manager in the marketing and sales report on all development according to a predefined set of targets.The Red Bull sales and marketing efforts in South Africa are not only supported by local marketing efforts but also by Red Bull Head Office's international marketing strategies. These include Red Bull projects such as the channel crossing, the Jesus statue jump and world record speed skiing attempts to name but a few. The Red Bull companies with the well-known Red Bull Racing and Torro Rosso respectively competing in the Formula One Grand Prix series, Hangar 7 housing the Flying Bulls or the Red Bull Air Race, also contributes to keep the brand in consumers minds. Red Bull is truly a different brand with unique ways of doing business. The planning and thinking integrate not only the different pillars but also the head office projects, and Red Bull companies make the marketing effort something special to watch. This integrated marketing approach comprising of so many different angles sets new marketing standards, and also makes it easier to understand why the brand is so strong globally. The Red Bull success can be attributed to a small number of things, which include their people,the passion for the brand, a drive to succeed, and their detailed planning methodology. The way of doing is consistent throughout the world, speaking the same language with the same message everywhere - a unique brand with strong brand values, focus and strategies, which thinks as a number two to be the number one ...... "Red Bull gives you wiiings!"