Lenovo taps Coke to boost China laptop sales

<P>The Coca-Cola Company and computer manufacturer Lenovo have taken one of the first steps in their recently-formed strategic marketing partnership by releasing a limited-edition co-branded laptop computer for Chinese customers. </P> <P>The Lenovo F20 iCoke Notebook features a red casing emblazoned with the Coca-Cola logo. It is part of a retail licensing agreement announced in March that authorises Lenovo to develop, manufacture and distribute Coca-Cola-branded notebooks, starting this month.</P> <P>According to Lenovo Greater China head of brand communications Li Lan, only 2,000 of the high-tech notebooks are available.</P> <P>The launch of the notebook comes during Lenovo's summer promotions season, but both companies hope it will have a lasting impact on the market. "We hope this will set a new standard for mobile computing that combines innovative technologies and lifestyle choices," Lan said.</P> <P>It is also the first Lenovo co-branded notebook to feature the Lenovo Olympic composite logo. Both companies are Olympic worldwide partners and hope to pool their strengths to contribute to the 2008 Beijing Games.</P> <P>The joint-venture is part of a push to build on the growing partnership between the two companies, and Coca-Cola also sees it as a platform to expand the reach of the iCoke programme in China. The notebook will have a special hot button that will allow direct access to the iCoke China website.</P> <P>The co-branded computer isn't a first for Lenovo - last year, the company released a series of notebooks branded with popular Walt Disney characters.<BR></P>