Behind the scenes
We're on TV!
by Aurel Stevens
Balitea star Simon: "My rhinestone swimming trunks will be used soon"
16.6.2023
Translation: machine translated
After the party and the buzz comes the hangover. Our Balitea rapper Simon Balissat learnt this lesson this summer. His iced tea was a firework in our range. Emphasis on "was". I met him for a chat.
His cents shirt hangs a little askew on the wall. Simon Balissat, short-term rapper in the summer of 2022, has long since had to earn his living as an editor at Galaxus. The iced tea he created and sang about is no longer available at Galaxus - and nowhere else either. The supermarket shelves have long been stocked with other flavours. Young people with purchasing power and a willingness to experiment are pouring the new releases in the iced tea game down their throats.
Simon, aren't you feeling a little nostalgic right now?
Simon: Wistful? Why?
Well, it's summer outside, people are thirsty - but they can't drink the Balitea.
Oh, that's what you mean! Yes, nice crap ...
The hype only lasted one summer. Thousands of bottles were added to carts at Galaxus. But in the end, it was decided that there would be no new production. A few pallets are said to be gathering dust in a corner of the warehouse in Wohlen, close to their expiry date. Simon, does failure hurt?
What, why failure? ... We've made quite a splash, haven't we?
Obviously not enough ...
I already realised that it's difficult to build something from scratch. I had a business plan for Balitea. An investment of around 35 million francs would have been enough, and today nobody would talk about Migros iced tea anymore, only about Balitea.
Do you think you made any mistakes yourself?
No.
Would more sugar have been a solution?
No, I would have sold my soul. Others do that, sure. But they are also closely linked to the dentists' lobby and the pharmaceutical industry, which sells diabetes medication.
Have you actually heard from Lil Bruzy again?
(Simon swallows) That's a difficult question ... I think Bruzy wasn't interested in my iced tea from the start, but in money. I even bumped into him on the way out recently with a can of Bratee in his hand. Bratee!
You really gave it your all when shooting the music video. People always ask me if you still have your rhinestone-studded swimming trunks. Did you?
Of course! I'm close to my summer beach-and-lake figure. The trousers will be used again.
Back to the pallets of iced tea that are still sitting around ...
Simon: Yeah, man, we'll just burn them now ...
Iced tea doesn't burn.
You bloody smart arse! Then we'll just pour it away ... And the people will have to drink the other cents' booze. I don't care.
Unfortunately, it was only shortly after the interview with Simon that we received the news that the "Balitea" project had been recognised as a "Winner" in two categories of the "German Brand Award" competition. Well, to be honest, these are also prizes for good marketing. We were not told whether the jury also drank the brew.
Martin Jungfer
Head of Content
Martin.Jungfer@digitecgalaxus.chJournalist since 1997. Stopovers in Franconia (or the Franken region), Lake Constance, Obwalden, Nidwalden and Zurich. Father since 2014. Expert in editorial organisation and motivation. Focus on sustainability, home office tools, beautiful things for the home, creative toys and sports equipment.
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