Most Clicked ABA SmartBrief Stories
1. Pepsi marketing chief to retire
ABA SmartBrief | Feb 09, 2012
Massimo d'Amore, who joined PepsiCo in 1995 and overhauled packaging and marketing, is retiring at age 56. D'Amore helped turn around Gatorade, develop new products, champion a more global view and integrate the company's largest bottlers. Advertising Age (tiered subscription model) (02/09)
2. Coke and Pepsi make list of top Super Bowl ads
ABA SmartBrief | Feb 08, 2012
Coca-Cola ranked third and PepsiCo came in ninth in an Ace Metrix ranking of the most-effective ads during the Super Bowl, which measures reactions to the ads from randomly selected viewers. "Coca-Cola's polar bear ads were quite effective with consumers -- two ranked within the Top 5 overall ads, trumping Pepsi’s star-studded 'King’s Court' ad, which was quite effective in its own right," said Ace Metrix CEO Peter Daboll. BevIndustry.com (02/07)
3. PepsiCo beverages and snacks will stay together, CEO says
ABA SmartBrief | Feb 10, 2012
PepsiCo CEO and Chairman Indra Nooyi said there are no plans to split the company into a snack business and a beverage business, despite pressure from analysts who say two companies would be more valuable than one. An internal analysis found "shareholder value is maximized with PepsiCo as one company because, especially in emerging and developing markets, the two businesses depend on each other to grow,” she said. CNBC (02/09)
4. Coconut-water market ready to crack wide open
ABA SmartBrief | Feb 13, 2012
Coconut water, touted as a natural sports drinks, is moving into the mainstream, having doubled revenue every year since 2005. The leading brand, Vita Coco, is more than doubling distribution to some 55,000 stores through an agreement with Dr Pepper Snapple Group; No. 2 brand Zico is expected to sell a majority stake to Coca-Cola; and PepsiCo is launching national distribution of the third-ranked brand, O.N.E. Wall Street Journal, The (02/11)
5. Convenience stores next for Coca-Cola Freestyle fountains
ABA SmartBrief | Feb 10, 2012
Early results indicate convenience stores that add Coca-Cola Freestyle fountain machines see a boost in dispensed beverage sales, with no loss in packaged drinks. The Freestyle machines, which offer as many as 100 drink choices, are already gaining popularity in quickservice restaurants, and Coca-Cola is now testing them in convenience stores. Convenience Store News (02/09)
6. Study: Coconut water matches sports drinks for rehydration
ABA SmartBrief | Feb 08, 2012
A study published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition finds VitaCoco coconut water provides hydration benefits similar to those of water and of sports drinks with carbohydrates and electrolytes. The study involved 12 men who exercised for an hour and were then given either water, a sports drink or VitaCoco. NutraIngredients (02/06)
7. Consumers pay more for coffee-pod convenience
ABA SmartBrief | Feb 08, 2012
The coffee in single-serve pods can sometimes cost more than $50 a pound, making it more expensive than artisanal brews sold in cafes. Consumers tend to pay attention to price per serving, but the pods dispense just 7 or 8 ounces of coffee, while coffee shops sell larger portions. New York Times (tiered subscription model), The (02/07)
8. CPG companies share packaging insights
ABA SmartBrief | Feb 10, 2012
Representatives of Heinz, PepsiCo and other companies shared insights on packaging innovations during the Packaging Conference in Las Vegas this week. Heinz has launched Dip and Squeeze ketchup packs that serve as dipping trays; PepsiCo has rebranded Gatorade as the Gatorade G series. "When someone touches the package, it is a great opportunity to connect with the consumer," said a PepsiCo official. PlasticsToday.com (02/09)
9. Dunkin' is tops in coffee loyalty, again
ABA SmartBrief | Feb 09, 2012
For the sixth year in a row, Dunkin' Donuts has taken the top spot in a Brand Keys' ranking of customer loyalty to coffee brands. "This recognition speaks both to the renowned quality of our Dunkin' Donuts coffee and to the incredible dedication of our franchisees who work to provide our guests with an outstanding experience every day of the year," said a company executive. QSRMagazine.com (02/08)
10. PepsiCo-Tata joint venture to launch Tata Water Plus
ABA SmartBrief | Feb 09, 2012
NourishCo Beverages, a joint venture between PepsiCo India and Tata Global Beverages, plans to introduce a nutrient-enriched water called Tata Water Plus in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. "There is a growing trend towards health and wellness in the beverages category,” said a NourishCo executive. “We believe there is immense potential, which will evolve over a period of time." BusinessWeek.com (02/09)
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