Thursday Life (TL): How did you land this job?

Rojah Thomas (RT): Well, the story isn’t very interesting, sadly. I saw the advertisement in the newspaper and, having been an admirer of the brand for a number of years, decided to apply. Three interviews later I landed the job. The final interview was a little unorthodox, I must confess. I went in, clad in a Tru-Juice designer shirt that I had gotten made. I could see the shock on the interviewers’ faces, my then boss Devene Hunter-Baker, and Managing Director Peter McConnell. I quickly confirmed that I am a very proactive individual and as such have already started looking the part for the job. In addition to the television ad that I produced, starring myself, of course, I think I knew this job was mine. About two hours later, I was contacted by McConnell himself, to confirm that I was selected… I guess the story is a little interesting, after all!

TL: How long have you been in this job?

RT: I have been in this position for 18 months now. I started at Trade Winds Citrus Ltd, but transitioned to Wisynco Group in May of last year, after Wisynco purchased a stake in the company. My functions, however, remain the same.

TL: What’s great about your job?

RT: Where do I start? There are a lot of great things about the job. Firstly, I work with a lot of great people and continually learn, grow and develop. Trade Winds Citrus Ltd (TWCL) is currently at a stage where development is a part of our everyday lives. Flavours, packaging, and brands are continuously being developed and it has been a roller- coaster ride, but admittedly a fun ride. At Wisynco, the processes are a little different, but I also have learnt a great deal from the team here. I honestly have the best of both worlds, where I represent two of the greatest Jamaican companies on the planet and continue to learn from them. No two days are alike: Today I’m tasting a range of juices, to come up with the next great juice mix; tomorrow I’m planning the Tru-Juice 5K Run on June 7, 2015 at the Tru-Juice Orchards, Bog Walk, St Catherine. Register NOW at www.runningeventsja.com, (shameless plug, I know). My job is very interesting and doesn’t allow me to just be a marketer. Distribution, sales analysis, product development, sponsorships and corporate philanthropy are just some of the hats I wear daily.

TL: What attracts consumers to your brand/brands?

RT: Customers have come to know Tru-Juice for its great quality. We also take great pride in the flavour and taste of our brands, whilst maintaining that high quality. Our Tru-Juice freshly squeezed product has recently got a facelift in a new 1.75L screw-cap carton package, and consumers are loving it. Tru-Juice is the number one juice brand in Jamaica, so we are very excited about these package changes and expect only greater things in the future. We have continuously put measures in place to ensure that our products are of the highest standard, and recently have changed gears to ensure that consumers would have a more pleasing package to look at. Consumers can look forward to seeing more package changes and new product development from the Tru-Juice, Squeezz and all other products brought to you by Trade Winds Citrus Ltd and Wisynco.

TL: Where can consumers find out more about your brand?

RT: The Tru-Juice brand can be found in any major supermarket islandwide. We have also added new variations to the Squeezz brand in the form of a new juice box and a plastic bottle and these can be found in supermarkets as well as wholesales, mom and pop stores, and any street-side vendor islandwide, so ask for it and “Release di flava.”

Consumers can also find us in cyberspace

Website: www.trujuice.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/tradewindscitrus

Instagram: trujuice, squeezzja, freshhhja

Twitter: tru_juice

TL: Tell us something we might not know about your brand.

RT: Tru-Juice is now available in a very convenient juice- box packaging. Available in Orange-Pineapple, Apple, Fruit Punch and Guava Pineapple. TWCL also owns over 2,000 acres of citrus orchards and this is where your Freshly Squeezed, Never-Frozen, Never from Concentrate orange juice comes from.

TL: Do you have any additional news you wish to share with your customers?

RT: Consumers can look out for some interesting changes for the Tru-Juice brand in the very near future.

Win! Win! Win!

Answer this easy question:

Tru-Juice is… (See Today’s printed newspaper for question)

The first six Thursday Life readers to send the correct answer by e-mail to marketingpromotion@jamaicaobserver.com by 12:00 noon today Thursday, April 30, 2015 will each win gift packages of 13 Tru-Juice juice box, 1 T-shirt and 1 Tru-Juice Mason Jar.

Please include your name, occupation and contact number.

Prizes will be presented at the Jamaica Observer head office, 40-42 1/2 Beechwood Avenue, Kingston 5.

A valid government identification must be presented in order to collect the prize. Persons must be 18 years and older to enter.

AUTHORISED UNDER THE BETTING. GAMING & LOTTERIES ACT.

The Jamaica Observer reserves the right to use winners’ images in any advertising or promotional activity without compensation.

Employees of the Jamaica Observer, ATL, ATL Automotive, Island Routes, Sandals, Beaches or Grand Pineapple Resorts and their families, ie parents, spouses, siblings and children, are NOT eligible to enter.

(Photos: Bryan Cummings)