• Los Angeles Times , Tuesday, July 15, 2008 9:45 AM

Starbucks is taking the wraps off of two new Vivanno smoothies today -- Orange Mango Banana Blend and Banana Chocolate Blend -- that are part of its effort to expand into healthier fare. They will be available nationally and are billed as "nourishing blends" that can include fruit and bittersweet cocoa, whey and fiber. Both are less than 300 calories.

The chain is also unveiling two icy blends exclusively at selected Starbucks in Los Angeles and Orange County. Starbucks locations selling the new drinks will be visibly "branded" out front; sales will determine whether the drink rolls out to additional stores.

In contrast to the roll-out for the Vivanno, Starbuck is unleashing an advertising blitz to make sure that the sun doesn't go down tonight without making Angelinos aware of the new icy beverages. There will be skywriting. There will be murals. Marquee signs at the likes of The Roxy and House of Blues also will trumpet its coming.

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