‘Julius Caesar drank here’

Bottled water makers use stories to set their products apart

Want a little drama to go with your drink? I read this story off a bottle of Blenheim water:

“Within the majestic setting of Blenheim palace, an ancient spring has been supplying natural mineral water to king, queen, duke and duchess for centuries. The superior quality of the water was discovered by King Henry when he hid his secret love at Blenheim and built her a pleasure pool by the lake. To this day Rosamund’s well remains as a poignant reminder of this fatal love — for the jealous queen discovered the king’s lover in her bower and stabbed her to death!”

Must be in the water. Perrier also tells its interesting history, including these highlights:

• “In 218 B.C., Hannibal’s army camped out by a carbonated spring in what is now Provence in southern France.
• “In 58 B.C., Julius Caesar’s soldiers built a stone basin at the site. They drank the water and bathed in it for its healing powers.
• “In 1863, Napoleon signed a decree acknowledging that the spring contained natural mineral water. Health-seekers flocked to the spa.”

“Today, the spring is the source of Perrier, the most popular bottled water in history.”

Almost makes your feel sorry for Dasani, Coca-Cola’s filtered tap water.

Read Perrier’s timeline

Facts tell; stories sell. How can you use amazing stories from your product’s history to set it apart?