The case describes the story of Sri Lanka-based Dilmah Ceylon Tea. Founded in 1988 by the current CEO’s father, the company pioneered the concept of ‘single-origin tea picked, perfected and packed’ in Sri Lanka, with a brand based on taste, goodness and purpose. Present in over 105 countries, it is one of the most well-known Sri Lankan brands worldwide.

Four years after acquiring the business, 3G Capital had managed to put Burger King back in growth mode. However, the Burger King brand itself was still lacking momentum and it was unclear if its celebrity-heavy ad campaign would work.

In the non-alcoholic beverage industry, barriers to entry are low as production is relatively easy. Although thousands of new drinks flood the market each year, the non-alcoholic segment provides fertile ground for innovative start-ups. In a mass-market dominated by big players, branding is key.

The case decribes Johnnie Walker’s efforts to move from a multi-local product-focused brand to a global master brand, underlining that the switch is a strategic business decision. It begins by understanding and addressing a global customer need, then managing the standardization of marketing activities across markets, with significant internal changes required to existing structure and process.