Press Clips: Former PepsiCo CEO Roger Enrico Passes Away

RogerEnrico970Former PepsiCo CEO Roger Enrico Passes Away

Former PepsiCo CEO Roger Enrico has passed away. Enrico began his career at PepsiCo in 1971, initially working with snack brands Funyuns, Cheetos and Fritos, before becoming Pepsi-Cola USA CEO in 1983. That same year the company tapped Michael Jackson to become the face of the brand, the first of several major marketing initiatives that would see Pepsi threaten to usurp Coke as the leading cola brand.

The Wall Street Journal reports that Enrico, 71, became unresponsive while snorkeling off Grand Cayman island, where he owned a home. In a statement, PepsiCo chairman and CEO Indra Nooyi called Enrico “one of the most creative marketers of his or any generation.”

“He was a risk-taker, never afraid to challenge the status quo,” Nooyi added.

Red Bull Partnership Sees GoPro Stock Surge

High-definition camera maker GoPro saw its stock price surge by 7 percent following an announcement that the company partnered with Red Bull. CNN Money reports that GoPro, whose share price has plummeted by 45 percent this year, is giving Red Bull stock in the company in exchange for becoming the energy drink giant’s exclusive camera provider. GoPro CEO Nick Woodman called alliance “very strategic,” saying the companies share a vision to “inspire the world to live a bigger live.” Meanwhile Red Bull founder and CEO Dietrich Mateschvitz said the partnership “will amplify our collective international reach, the power of our content and ability to fascinate.”

Inc. Profiles Harmless Harvest

Harmless Harvest has graced the pages of Inc. in a feature story entitled “Sustainability in a Bottle.” The piece profiles company co-founders Justin Guilbert and Douglas Riboud — the two men responsible for ushering in the super premium coconut water category — and Harmless Harvest’s seven-year rise to $100 million in sales and a company that now employs over 300 employees. Along with telling Harmless Harvest’s origin story, the publication also noted the most recent high profile happenings at the San Francisco-based business, including the hire of former Coca-Cola executive Gianella Alvarez, a $50 million capital raise, and the decision to move away from high pressure processing.

Starbucks Announces Nitro Cold Brew

Starbucks will soon be serving nitrogen-infused cold brew coffee. Wired has reported on the coffee giant’s foray into nitro coffee, which Starbucks spokeswoman Holly Shafer said came out of consumers “latching on to cold coffees.”

“This is a natural next step for us,” Shafer said.

Wired also explored the logistical aspects and inherent complications of installing nitro systems in 500 of its U.S. locations in addition to shining a light on other players in the nitro coffee space including Highwire Coffee Roasters in San Francisco and Philadelphia-based La Colombe.

Music Celebs’ Unhealthy Endorsements

A recently published study out of NYU’s Langone Medical Center has found that nearly all food and beverage products endorsed by music industry celebrities are of the unhealthy variety. CNN has explored the researchers’ analysis, which found that 79 percent of beverages promoted by such stars were sugary drinks while 80 percent of foods were lacking in nutrients.

Study co-author Alysa N. Miller of the NYU’s College of Global Public Health pointed to the influence artists such as Justin Timberlake, Maroon 5, and will.I.am had on adolescent’s food and beverage choices.

“The popularity of music celebrities among adolescents makes them uniquely poised to serve as positive role models,” said Miller. “Celebrities should be aware that their endorsements could exacerbate society’s struggle with obesity, and they should endorse healthy products instead.”

LA Specialty Soda Store Featured in “One-Thing Shops”

The New York Times has shined a light on specialty soda shop Galco’s Old World Grocery as part of its recurring “One-Thing Shops” feature, which profiles stores across the globe specializing in one product. Originally an Italian neighborhood grocer, Galco’s now sells soda exclusively, offering 750 different varieties of carbonated soft drinks from around the world, including England’s Fentiman’s, Bermuda ginger beer brand Barrit’s and cult classic Faygo.