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LAW AND POLICY
The rising cost of corn and oil have shaken PepsiCo so much that CEO Indra
Nooyi said last week that she would like the federal government to step in a
temper the inflationary pressures that are battering her company. Read more here. • Three Ann Arbor restaurants signed on to a national program aimed ultimately
at stopping the use of bottled water.
NEW SKUs
Circle K and Boo Koo Holdings, Inc.
jointly created an extension to the Circle K proprietary energy drink brand, GazZu -- the GazZu Shooter. The two-ounce GazZu Shooter is available in
appealing cherry, orange-mango and grape flavors.
MISCELLANEOUS
“The best stuff on earth” no longer includes high-fructose corn syrup – at
least according to Snapple, who will
reportedly abandon the embattled sweetener in favor of pure cane sugar in early
2009. Beverage Business Insights
reported that sources at the Dr Pepper
Snapple Group said the company will begin the changeover in late Fall,
while updating their glass bottles to a slightly slimmer and taller look.
PEOPLE
Purple Beverage Company, Inc.
announced that former Fuze executive,
Michael McKee, has agreed to join the company as Vice President of Operations
and Logistics. • Boo Koo Holdings, Inc.
appointed Gil Cassagne, formerly Chief Executive Officer of Cadbury Schweppes
Americas Beverages, to the position of Chairman. Mr. Cassagne had recently
joined the Company's Board of Directors and replaces Steven B. Solomon, who
will remain a director. • Rudy
Nutrition, Inc. announced the hiring of Ron Scharf as Executive
Vice-President of Sales. Scharf brings more than 30 years of experience,
including 14 years in management for Pepsi-Cola in Southern California. • NutriPure Beverages, Inc. named
Kenyatto Jones as its CEO and Chairman of the Board. Luke Zouvas, who had been
serving as NutriPure's interim CEO and Chairman, resigned those posts and
resumed his position as the company's legal counsel. • The Gatorade Company announced Sarah Robb O'Hagan as its new chief
marketing officer. O'Hagan joins PepsiCo after nearly six years at Nike. • The FRS Company announced the
appointment of Han R. Delin to the position of Chief Marketing Officer. • Bossa Nova: the superfruit company announced
the addition of Jana Branch to its executive team as vice president of brand
communication. • Coca-Cola Enterprises
appointed John Parker, Jr as senior vice president and general counsel. Parker
has 21-years experience in the Coca-Cola system and has previously served as
general counsel to Coca-Cola Enterprises and Coca-Cola Enterprises' Europe
Group.
DISTRIBUTION
Billy Casper Golf announced Pepsi as
its "National Beverage Provider."
BCG-owned and operated golf courses will now serve the following PepsiCo
beverages: Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Mug Root Beer, Mountain Dew, Sierra Mist, Lipton
Brisk Iced Tea, Aquafina, Gatorade, SoBe, Dole and Tropicana juices and Propel
Fitness Water. • Jana, European
artesian water will be available in the metro NY area as of June 1, 2008
through Manhattan Beer Distributors. The product is also now available now
available in Western Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia and Maryland through the
Giant Eagle Chain, and New England at Shaw’s supermarkets. • Hall of Fame Beverages, Inc. announced
that they are in final negotiations with Pilot Travel Centers to supply Hydro
Power Functional Water to all their locations. • Vital Lifestyle Water announced it is available in Super Target
Centers across the U.S. • The Marcus
Corporation announced that it has extended its 17-year relationship with PepsiCo Foodservice. Marcus Theatres
and Marcus Hotels and Resorts will continue to serve Pepsi beverages in
fountain and bottle format. • Skinny
Nutritional Corp. signed new agreements with Minnesota distributors Capitol Beverage Sales, Thorpe Distributing Company and College City Beverage. Each will carry
all five Skinny Water flavors. • Purple Beverage Company, Inc.
announced that the Duane Reade drug store chain in
metropolitan New York is currently stocking the product. • MUUD Coffee is now sold through the following distributors: Saccani Distributing Sacramento, Cali.;
Haralambos Beverage Co Los Angeles,
Cali.; B & E Juices Bridgeport,
Conn. and Baker Distributing in Vermont
PROMOTIONS /
APPEARANCES
Jones Soda is popping into the candy
aisle with Jones Soda Carbonated Candy. • Bossa
Nova: the superfruit company, is teaming up with Saks Fifth Avenue and
Havaianas, makers of Brazilian sandals, to debut its new Superfruit Juices at
the store’s “Beauty Splash” events. • Apple Rush distributor Garden
Beverage sponsored dinner event for its Retail Customers. The event was
co-sponsored by Atomic Dogg, Extenze Dietary Supplement Drink, Pump Fitness Vitamin Waters, Apple Rush
Sparkling Juices and e water. • The
Gatorade Company, in partnership
with RISE Magazine, announced junior pitcher Kenzie Fowler of Canyon del Oro
High School (Oro Valley, Ariz.) as its 2007-08 Gatorade National Softball
Player of the Year. • On June 28-29, BAWLS
will fuel the games of thirsty players at the Low Country Paintball
"Revenge of the Nerds Tournament" in Miami, Fla. • EXPN.com and
ESPN360.com , will collaborate with Red
Bull to be the exclusive webcast provider for the next two Red Bull
Experiments. • The Red Bull Art of Can exhibit opens July 12-25 in Houston,
showcasing a wide variety of art made from recycled materials. Red Bull Art of Can
challenges artists to construct pieces created with Red Bull cans or inspired
by the energy drink. • Dr Pepper,
the official beverage sponsor for the 2008 Major League Gaming (MLG) Pro
Circuit, has signed the professional gaming team of Str8 Rippin to a
sponsorship. • LiveElated.com , a new online health and lifestyle website
launched to encourage adults 40 and older to continue to pursue their favorite
activities. The site also promotes Elations
joint health beverage. • Fyxx Hybrid Energy Drink co-sponsored an album release party
featuring the launch of Donna Summer's new album entitled Crayons. • Neways
donated more than 10,000 bottles of Neways
Athletic Super Water to the Utah Summer Games, an
Olympic-style sports festival for athletes of all ages and abilities. • BAWLS Guarana announced the launch of
the 2008 Ultimate Fashion Experience Contest. The company will send one grand prize
winner on a trip for two to New York for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.
Source: BevNET.com Staff