Launching “Nada Chelada” Brand Collaboration Between Arriba and Athletic Brewing Co.
A BRAND COLLABORATION CASE STUDY
We architected a high-impact brand collaboration between Arriba and Athletic Brewing Company to extend Arriba into a culturally relevant, credibility-driven product drop. The partnership leveraged Athletic’s leadership in non-alcoholic beer and Arriba’s brand momentum to create a limited-time collaboration engineered for scarcity and demand. The launch became Arriba’s fastest-selling LTO ever, selling through 90 days of online inventory in just two weeks and moving over 50,000 retail cases in a single limited drop, reinforcing the power of strategic licensing and the right collaboration partners.
CHALLENGE
Arriba Chelada, a better-for-you michelada mix brand, was undergoing a full rebrand when a collaboration opportunity arose with Athletic Brewing Company. The goal was to co-create a non-alcoholic, ready-to-drink michelada—a category yet to be defined in the beverage space. The challenge lay in balancing two independent brand identities while designing a product that looked authentic, modern, and instantly craveable. Both brands needed equal billing without overshadowing one another, while still creating something visually distinct from the loud, flashy competition.
RESULTS
The final design balanced heritage and innovation, achieving a co-branded visual identity that felt natural and premium. The black background allowed the vibrant rim and logo to pop on-shelf, instantly communicating refreshment and culture. Every design detail was intentional — the gradient flames from Arriba’s mark, the minimalist Athletic typography, and the cohesive color flow that unified both brands. Ajnci’s campaign created not just a beverage, but a lifestyle narrative — positioning Chelada Nada as the first true non-alcoholic michelada experience in a can.
Launched in late 2023, Chelada Nada sold out within weeks of release. A second production run quickly followed — and sold out again. The collaboration gained organic social traction, resonating with both Athletic Brewing’s NA beer audience and Arriba’s Hispanic-inspired flavor fans. The limited-edition drop validated a new category opportunity for both partners, proving that co-branded, culturally rooted RTDs can perform on par with mainstream beverage launches — while authentically representing both brand stories.
2023 / Miami, FL
Packaging
Graphic Design
Retail Activation
Promotion
Digital Marketing
Social Media
Photography
Strategy
Chelada Nada became Arriba’s fastest-selling LTO ever, selling through 90 days of online inventory in just two weeks and moving over 50,000 retail cases in a single limited drop
PACKAGING DESIGN APPROACH
Ajnci analyzed market examples and developed a visual language rooted in Arriba’s Aztec-inspired heritage and Athletic Brewing’s clean, modern aesthetic. Key design exploration focused on textures, color cues, and cultural authenticity — from Mexican-inspired patterns to the iconic Tajín-style lime rim that adorns the top of every michelada glass. Ajnci translated this into the can design, creating the recognizable reddish-orange “rim” accent across a sleek black can featuring a bold gradient logo.
