KINGSTON, Jamaica—Twenty-eight-year-old events and social media professional Catherine Reid is celebrating an unexpected $250,000 windfall after being named the winner of Red Stripe Flavours’ Pick Your Flavour promotion.

Reid, who entered the competition after seeing it shared on a friend’s Instagram Stories, said she had no idea that participating in the campaign could earn her a prize.

“I was sitting in traffic when an unfamiliar number flashed across my phone. Unknown callers usually make me suspicious, so for a second, I considered letting it ring out,” she recalled.

After deciding to answer, Reid learnt that she had been randomly selected from 1,244 eligible entries and could choose between a three-day local getaway, an iPhone 17 Pro Max or $250,000 in cash.

“I was in disbelief. I did not even realise there was a prize attached to voting. I just thought we would eventually hear which flavour won. I called my mom right away, and she was just as shocked because it truly came out of nowhere for me,” she said.

Reid opted for the cash prize, which she intends to invest rather than spend immediately.

The unexpected victory also stirred emotional memories of her late father, with whom she often joked about her supposed luck in winning competitions.

“I really do wish he was here to share this with me, but who knows, maybe he helped engineer this from above to make our inside joke a little more real,” she shared.

Launched on August 17, 2026, the Pick Your Flavour campaign invited consumers to help select the fifth addition to Red Stripe Flavours’ existing portfolio of four flavours.

Participants were encouraged to vote for their preferred option, with choices including kiwi, pink grapefruit, strawberry, lychee, pineapple and passionfruit.

For Reid, lychee, pineapple and passionfruit stood out among the selections.

“Lychee stood out to me because it sounded refreshing. Pineapple was an easy pick because I am loyal to the fruit, while passion fruit was the flavour I thought would bring something bold and different,” she explained.

Junior Brand Manager for Red Stripe Flavours Laurice Griffiths said the campaign generated encouraging consumer participation and provided valuable insight into customers’ preferences.

“This campaign reminded us that some of the best ideas come from listening to consumers. The response exceeded our expectations and
showed just how invested people are in the future of Red Stripe Flavours. We’re excited to take the winning flavour from concept to shelf and share that journey with them,” Griffiths said.

With voting now closed, the company is preparing to announce the winning flavour, which will eventually join its product lineup.

Reid, who counts mango among her favourites, said she is looking forward to trying the new addition.

Reflecting on her unexpected win, she described the experience as a reminder that good fortune can arrive without warning.

“My experience has been the epitome of expecting the unexpected!” she said.