On Top
• Australian scientists identified a protein in milk which has been shown to encourage both the growth of extra muscle and the desire to exercise. Link
• Workers at Snapple/Dr Pepper Corp. in Northlake, Ill. have filed two more lawsuits in federal court, charging the beverage company with racial harassment. Link
Product Announcements
• Jones Soda launched four flavors of a Hispanic soda line. Link
• Odwalla introduced new Light Lemonade and Light Limeade. Link
• Sayan Health announced the launch of a calorie-free version of its drink. Link
Distribution
• Coca-Cola‘s contour 2 L bottle hits Philadelphia store shelves this week. Link
• BAWLS Guarana has been approved in two more West Coast Chains: PW Markets and Nella Oil.
• Vida Tea announced that it’s now available for consumer purchase in Whole Foods Markets, Bristol Farms and Sunflower Farmers Markets throughout their Rocky Mountain, Southwest and Southern California stores. Link
Financials
• The Pepsi Bottling Group, Inc. announced that it will webcast its 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders from Somers, N.Y. on Wednesday, May 27 at 10:00 a.m. EDT. The live webcast will be accessible through the company’s website at www.pbg.com.
Law, Policy and Advocacy
• Leaders of the two major dairy industry groups jointly rejected the idea of a suggested federal excise tax on flavored milk drinks, such as chocolate and strawberry, that contain sugar-based sweeteners. Link
Deals and Partnerships
• A unit of PepsiCo Inc. has leased more than 90,000 square feet of office space in Plano, Texas. Link
• XYIENCE announced a partnership with Skram Media, publisher of Urban Climber, Climbing Magazine, and Mountain Gazette, to stage an extreme climbing video contest.
• Jamba Juice announced that it was restaging its RTD line. It also announced the addition of Oregon Ice Cream and Think Wow Toys as new licensees. Link
In the Media
• The New York Times reports that the U.S. is seeing a resurgence in home-made ginger ale. Link
Tooting Their Horn
• Coca-Cola was among the highest ranked companies for sustainability reporting based on analysis by Roberts Environment Center. Link
• The first annual Pollard Award for Innovation in Business Ethics was awarded to The Coca-Cola Company by The Executives Breakfast Club, a Chicago-based non-profit. Link
• Ball Corporation has been selected for inclusion in the FTSE4Good Index Series. The index is designed to facilitate investment in companies that meet globally recognized corporate responsibility standards. Link
Brand Marketing
• Potencia Energy Drink and Piranha Water appeared on the family owned Dillon Oliver ASA Challenge Series car at the Milwaukee Mile Speedway in West Allis, Wisconsin in the Badger land 150. Link
• The Gatorade Company, in partnership with ESPN RISE, announced senior midfielder and defender Rachel Quon of Lake Forest High School (Lake Forest, Ill.) as its 2008-09 Gatorade National Girls Soccer Player of the Year. Link
• Pepsi, MTV, and MTV Games announced a multi-platform “Drink Up, Rock Out” promotion that will give away Rock Band music tracks and games. Link
• The Hispanic got milk? Campaign Visited Denver May 17th – May 20th. Link
• XYIENCE announced that Matt “The Terror” Serra has joined the company’s team of brand ambassadors. Link
• Ski will launch its new package design through its “What’s Next for Ski? YOU Decide.” Campaign. Link
Offbeat
• An artist has taken a satirical stand against Red Bull‘s policy of requiring all artists to sign their rights away who submit art to their upcoming ‘Art of Can Exhibition’ in Washington, D.C. Link
• AdFreak found a long-shelved Coke Zero ad that recently aired only in Brazil. The spot would make Jack Black proud. Link
• From BAWLSCEO Twitter feed: “BAWLS just got a great plug on The Real Housewives of New Jersey…20 seconds of TV glory!!!”