Danone’s Water Sales Up Significantly

Danone CEO Emmanuel Faber said several factors contributed to a three percent rise in the company’s share price and signified continued growth. Among the factors were the premiumization of Danone’s offering in early childhood nutrition in China, broad-based growth in waters, and gradual improvement in essential dairy and plant-based activities. The water business, which includes the Evian brand, experienced a four percent rise in sales, but dairy sales in Europe, though improving, still dropped 0.3 percent in the first quarter compared to the same period last year. Faber said demand for baby formulas in China – fed by a sharp rise in birth rates – helped boost like-for-like sales by almost five percent. 

"China’s baby boom lifts French dairy group Danone", Financial Times, April 18, 2018

Bisleri Unveils Ad Campaign For Sparkling Mango Drink

Indian beverage company Bisleri International has launched a nationwide multimedia advertising campaign to promote the sparkling mango drink Fonzo, especially among younger consumers looking for more healthful beverages. Ads will be shown on Indian Premier League cricket TV broadcasts and on social media, supported by outdoor and radio ads. According to the company, mango is “the favorite fruit and flavor of most Indians,” so the launch of a fizzy mango drink will “grab consumer interest.”

"Bisleri Launches Nation-Wide Integrated Campaign For Fizzy Mango Drink, Fonzo ", Exchange4Media, April 17, 2018

Wahaha To Expand Into Health Products, Invest In High-Tech Companies

The founder and chairman of China’s Hangzhou Wahaha Group says he wants to “ramp up efforts on health products” to battle problems such as diabetes, obesity, and insomnia. The Chinese health product market was valued at $64 billion in 2017; more than 16,000 products are registered and approved for production. Zong Qinghou said Wahaha invest in high-tech and advanced manufacturing companies by partnering with experienced industry leaders. Wahaha is the largest beverage producer in China.

"Nutrition to be top focus for Wahaha", China Daily, April 13, 2018

Coca-Cola Makes Smartwater Available To Uber, Lyft Passengers Via Cargo Platform

Start-up in-car commerce company Cargo has partnered with Coca-Cola to offer Smartwater along with an array of snacks, gum, premium electronics, cosmetics, and personal care items for purchase using smartphones in Lyft and Uber rideshare vehicles. The Cargo partnership with Coca-Cola launched in Coke hometown Atlanta, Ga., recently in a nationwide expansion that began in New York, Boston, Chicago, Minneapolis, Washington, D.C., and Baltimore. Rideshare drivers can earn up to $500 a month extra in commissions, referrals, and performance bonuses by adopting the Cargo platform.

"US Uber users can now buy Coca-Cola snacks and drinks from their smartphones as car-commerce accelerates", InternetRetailing, April 18, 2018

Raw Pressery Juices Are Now Being Sold By Subscription In India

Indian beverage company Rakyan Beverages, maker of the Raw Pressery cold-pressed juice brand, is among a handful of juice marketers in the country that are turning at least partly to a subscription-based sales and delivery model. According to Euromonitor, selling fresh juice via subscriptions to health-conscious consumers is gaining traction because plans can be customized to fit individual buyers. Rakyan offers juice subscriptions of one to three months.

"Parched this summer? Online juice delivery startups are here to save the day", YourStory, April 17, 2018

Nestlé Waters UK Hopes New “Emoji” Pure Life Bottles Will Attract Kids

Nestlé Waters UK’s new limited edition “emoji” bottles for its Pure Life purified water line are designed to appeal to family shoppers and especially to children. According to the company, 65 percent of British children (ages five to 16) do not drink enough water. Four “water buddy” designs will be included on the 33 cl bottles, which will be released intermittently throughout the year. The company says bottled water is the fastest growing segment within the $10.4 billion U.K. soft drinks category. It believes the new bottle designs will help retailers drive sales and “appeal to new shoppers.”

"Nestlé Waters UK creates ’emoji’ inspired water bottles", FoodBev, April 18, 2018

Monster Energy’s “Camo” Can Isn’t A Political Statement

Monster Energy, known for the bizarre terminology and descriptions on its beverage cans, has created an Internet sensation with its Assault energy drink can. Besides the rant on the back – “We’re not for ‘the War,’ against ‘the War,’ or any war for that matter” – the can sports a military-style “camo” pattern. The $32 billion company – Coca-Cola owns 16.7 percent – has been a huge success despite its strange packaging, at a time when major competitors are struggling to boost sales. The camo can is not a political statement, the company says. It’s more of a motivational tool that “helps fire us up to fight the big multinational companies who dominate the beverage business." And: “We think it looks cool.”

"'We're not for 'the War', against 'the War'': Monster Energy goes viral for a convoluted apolitical rant on 'Assault' can", Business Insider, April 16, 2018

Dr Pepper Uses Sponsorships To Penetrate The eSports Gaming World

Multi-player video game competition – known as eSports – is increasingly supported at the professional level by corporate sponsorships. About 60 percent of the revenue generated in 2018 will come from sponsorships, some of which are more successful than others. Team SoloMid recently announced that Dr Pepper Snapple Group has become a sponsor for all its competitive teams, joining other non-endemic (i.e., non-gaming related) brands Gillette and Geico. Another team, FlyQuest, recently announced that its squad would wear the logos of Snickers and 5-Hour Energy. The idea behind the sponsorships is target marketing. Dr Pepper’s media VP recently said the company has a clear goal: to reach a younger audience in a way that “felt authentic.” ...  More

"What Brands can Learn From the Dr Pepper/Team SoloMid Sponsorship", Esports Business Solutions UG , April 10, 2018