YouTube stars James Marriott and Will Lenney (aka Willne) have launched an iced coffee brand called Rodd’s.
Three dairy-free SKUs – Waffle Oat Latte, Oat Latte and Matcha Latte with Vanilla – will roll into Sainsbury’s stores on 30 April (rsp: £2.20/250ml).
Aimed at a Gen Z audience, Rodd’s would tap into social media-led demand for “dessert-flavoured coffee” and appeal to shoppers “seeking brands that align with their values around sourcing, sustainability, and authenticity”, according to the content creator duo.
Each variant is made with 100% arabica beans from Colombia, ethically sourced through the National Federation of Colombian Coffee Growers.
The sourcing model sees 100% of profits sent back to farmers and was “chosen by the team for its integrity and direct impact”, said the brand.
“This isn’t a vanity project,” said Lenney. “James and I have worked on every part of this, the sourcing, the flavours, the brand. Unlike others, it isn’t rammed with sugar and it actually stays chilled every step of the way – from the moment we make it, to the moment you buy it.
“We’re seriously proud of what we’ve built. Quite simply, Rodd’s is the iced coffee we always wished existed.”
Marriott added: “Will and I drink iced coffee constantly but we were bored of brands that look great but don’t deliver on taste. We wanted to make something that tastes the way you expect it to, taking flavours like Waffle that we’re seeing Stateside, with straightforward, quality ingredients you don’t have to Google.”
Marriott and Lenney share a combined 10 million followers across social media. They frequently appear in YouTube videos together in which they review products.
Marriott is also a musician. His debut album was released in November 2023 and charted at number 17 in the UK albums chart.
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