Financials
• Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated today announced that the Board of Directors has declared a dividend for the Second Quarter of 2009 of $.25 per share on shares of the Company’s Common Stock.
• Two pension funds have filed suits to block PepsiCo Inc’s planned acquisition of Pepsi Bottling Group Inc. Both want to prevent the management of PBG from pursuing a deal unless steps are taken to secure a higher price. Link
• Glacier Water Services, Inc. recorded first quarter 2009 revenues of $22,839,000, up 9.4% over the first quarter of last year. Link
• Coca-Cola Enterprises reported first-quarter 2009 net income of $61 million. Net income totaled $97 million. Link
Law, Policy and Advocacy
• The Post-Standard of Syracuse, N.Y., assessed what the state’s “Bigger Better Bottle Bill” will mean to residents. Link
• Nestle announced three new company initiatives aimed at creating new partnerships with governments, NGOs and small enterprises. The announcement came as Nestle launched a forum on Creating Shared Value in New York in collaboration with the United Nations Office for Partnerships and the Mission of Switzerland to the United Nations. Link
New SKUs
• Maine’s Mount Desert Spring Water introduced a new H-2-Obama SKU. Link
• nuun announced a new flavor, BANANANUUN. Link
• Rockin’ Products LLC announced its kids’ beverage line, ROCKIN’ WATER. Link
• AriZona Beverages announced the launch of a new line of USDA certified organic iced teas. Link
• Ocean Spray announced a new pomegranate juice drink line. Link
Miscellaneous
• Coca-Cola shareholders voted down four motions last week – two of which were sponsored by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters General Fund. Link
• FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller said the agency found no sign of tampering in Aquafina bottles from a vending machine that apparently led a dozen students at a junior high school in Santa Clarita to complain of feeling sick. Link
• The Atlanta Journal Constitution ran a profile on departing Coca-Cola chairman, Neville Isdell. Link
• Summit Spring water announced a new, modernized packaging to hit shelves this month.
• UK bottled water brands have united to fight back against public criticism through a new advertising campaign that promotes the health benefits of water and hydration, using the line “you ought to drink more water” to show the various physical and mental benefits consumers achieve when they are well hydrated. Link
• Boston’s Channel 5 news station aired a story exploring the differences between regular bottled waters and “smartwater.” Link
• Fourteen children at Graham Elementary School in Graham, Wash. reported getting sick after drinking a powder-based energy drink. Link
• A new study suggests supplementing with probiotics may ease anxiety. Link
• WILD Flavors announced a naturally-derived, acid-stable blue color. Link
• Tahitian Noni International recently began re-shipping its healthy joint extract, Tahitian Noni Smart Extracts Healthy Joint. Link
Distribution
• CRUNK!!! Energy Drink announced it will be distributed by Stein Distributing in Southern Washington and Fisher Distribution in South Dakota.
• Cyclone Energy Shot has made an agreement to add S. Styles Beverages, Inc. for distribution in North and South Carolina, as well as many c-stores and fitness centers nationwide.
• The Coca-Cola Company announced a ‘refreshed’ line-up of beverages for McDonald’s U.S. restaurants. Link
• Dr Pepper Snapple Group announced it has reached a multi-year agreement with McDonald’s USA that will expand availability of Dr Pepper and Diet Dr Pepper in its U.S. restaurants. Link
Promotions/Appearances
• Brava-Italia and Sexy-Italia beverages have been appearing in on-campus refrigerators at YouTube’s headquarters. Link
• Nestle USA announced the winners of the 2009 Nestle Very Best In Youth competition. Hailing from 18 states, the winners represent a driving force for change in their respective local community and won donations of $1,000 for the charity of their choice. Link