Financials
The Coca-Cola Co. is looking to expand its facility in Tennessee’s Bradley County with projects that could top $17 million. Link • PepsiAmericas, Inc. announced that its first quarter 2009 earnings conference call will be webcast live over the internet on Wednesday, April 29 at 10 a.m. CDT (11 a.m. EDT). PepsiAmericas will issue its financial results before the market opens that morning. The live webcast and a copy of the company’s earnings release will be accessible at www.pepsiamericas.com. • Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Inc. will issue its first quarter 2009 financial results on Wednesday, May 13, before the market opens. Larry Young, DPS president and CEO, and John Stewart, chief financial officer, will discuss the results during an earnings conference call for financial analysts and investors at 10 a.m. CDT that day. The conference call and slide presentation will be accessible live through the DPS website at http://www.drpeppersnapple.com. • Reuters reports that Dr Pepper Snapple Group Inc. is boosting its marketing budget, in the face of the economic downturn. Link
Law, Policy and Advocacy
Just in time for tax day, Xyience founder Russell Pike has been indicted on tax evasion charges.The Federal Grand Jury indicted Pike for allegedly not paying taxes on nearly $7 million in income. If convicted, Pike could face up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Link • A study published in the January/February 2009 issue of General Dentistry expresses concern that people are not getting enough flouride due to increased bottled water consumption. Link • USA Today ran an article summing up the increase in state-based bottled water deposits. Link
New SKUs
Sunny Delight Beverages Co. is test marketing a new fruit smoothie in the Buffalo Niagara region as well as several other Upstate cities. Link
People
Thomas Kemper Soda Company announced the addition of Steve Smith, Founder of Tazo Tea, as a new member to their Board of Directors. Link
Miscellaneous
Gee… Kyle Petty sure went on a rant about the new ad campaign of a “certain sports drink” on a NASCAR.com video clip. Link • China Huiyuan Juice Group Ltd. said it has been approached by other suitors after Beijing quashed Coca- Cola Co.’s takeover. Link • Branding Strategy Insider published further commentary on the Tropicana redesign and its ensuing fallout. Link • A new study showed that cyclists recorded significantly faster times if they periodically rinsed their mouths with a sports drink. Link • A Coca-Cola Canada spokesman said said global economics won’t affect Coke’s Olympic sponsorship in Vancouver. Link • A Yakees ticket giveaway in Times Square got messy when Pepsi employees showed up with only a fraction of the tickets the crowd expected, and for a different game. Link • PepsiCo, Inc. announced that it has acquired leading Peruvian snack business Karinto S.A.C. Link • PepsiCo named Sunsweet Growers, Inc. as its 2008 Hot Fill Co-packer of the Year. This marks the second consecutive year Sunsweet has received the award. Link
Distribution
DNA Beverage Corporation announced it has begun expansion beginning with the State of Louisiana. Distribution in the southern portion of the State is being performed by the company’s subsidiary. Distribution for Northern Louisiana will be the responsibility of Red River Beverage Corporation. Link • Fever added a distribution deal with Polar Beverages, launched three new flavors and introduced new packaging. Link
Promotions/Appearances
PepsiCo launched an Indy 500 tie-in promotion with Dollar General stores. Link • The California Milk Processor Board’s “White Gold” campaign to get teens to drink milk is going digital with a video game. Link • The Hispanic Got Milk? campaign visited Atlanta promoting the Drink Well. Live Well. Tour. Link • On March 11, 2009 SoBe Lifewater celebrated the brand’s first-ever National Sampling Day for its Zero Calorie SoBe Lifewater line. Over one million bottles were distributed to consumers in 48 states at over 2,000 events. • Race fans at NASCAR’s Daytona 500 got plenty of AMP Energy branding and sampling despite Coca-Cola‘s sponsorship and pouring rights at the race, according to Vivid Marketing. • Pepsi Max was on hand at the Women’s and Men’s ACC Basketball Tournaments in Greensboro, NC , and Atlanta, GA to offer product samples and entertain fans. • ROCKSTAR Energy atheletes gathered for the 2009 ROCKSTAR/Pepsi Rally at the Fairplex in Pomona, California. Link • Dr. Pepper released its new Dr. Pepper Cherry commercial with Dr. Love, A.K.A., Gene Simmons. Link • Snapple released two new commercials for its new formula. Link. Link. • Nestle Juicy Juice announced the launch of Talleres Mas de Juicy Juice, a series of classes and activities that promote good nutrition and physical activity among Hispanic children and their families. Link • The Wall Street Journal reported on Sprite‘s “Green Eyed World” web promotion. Link • BusinessWeek ran a profile of PepsiCo North America CEO, Massimo d’Amore, Link and Rediff News ran a profile of PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi. Link • State of Mind Water‘s new oxo-biodegradable PET bottles will be infused with Planet Green’s REVERTE additive which biodegrades over time. Link • Naked Juice announced a collaboration with the Rainforest Alliance, a nonprofit working to ensure sustainable livelihoods while protecting wildlife and the environment. Link • Cheerwine launched a new Web site and campaign. Link • BAWLS is teaming up with schools to show support to those serving in the armed forces through a letter-writing campaign. Link • Fanta Orange will now feature 100 percent natural flavors and the entire line will be given a new look. Link