Olly Wehring's beverage industry blog - from just-drinks.comOlly Wehring's beverage industry blog - from just-drinks.comCoca-Cola invests in Euro 2008 effect- June 26, 2008 just-drinks has touched down in Vienna for the Euro 2008 semi-final between Spain and Russia tonight, courtesy of tournament sponsor Coca-Cola. The company boasts a "close relationship" with football, having sponsored these championships since 1988 and the World Cup for 30 years. Coke's closest player affiliations, with Wayne Rooney and Ruud van Nistelrooy, have run their course in the tournament with Holland out and England failing to even clear the first hurdle. However, the brand has...http://www.just-drinks.com/blogdetail.aspx?ID=1409 Grupo Modelo - what gives- June 20, 2008 Startling news to end the week on came in earlier this afternoon. The CEO of Grupo Modelo has quit his post on the board of Anheuser-Busch. So, what's going on there, then Neither side will say any more, but could it be, as one analyst reckons, that "Grupo Modelo doesn't want to get in the middle of the negotiations between InBev and A-B" Or has there been a falling-out between Carlos Fernandez and A-B The US brewer has been rumoured to be looking to bid for the Mexican company, with A-B...http://www.just-drinks.com/blogdetail.aspx?ID=1408 For sale: One historic vodka brand, ownership disputed- June 16, 2008 The production line of M&A deals being churned out by the drinks world looks set to continue with the news today that SPI may be about to hang a for sale sign around the neck of its Stolichnaya vodka brand. It is the logical step for the long-term health of the brand. SPI currently owns the brand outside of Russia with the Russian government the owner at home. Pernod Ricard has a deal with SPI for the distribution rights on the global market, but, following its successful bid for Absolut,...http://www.just-drinks.com/blogdetail.aspx?ID=1407 "This is about more than beer: it's about our jobs and our nation."- June 12, 2008 As we've discussed in detail on just-drinks today (12 June), the approach by InBev to acquire Anheuser-Busch was always going to be about more than just money. While much has been made about the cultural differences between the two brewers, a rather unpleasant nationalist sentiment has reared its head. Click here, then, to see some of the hyperbole coming out of the US on the matter. Some of you may remember the storm that erupted when PepsiCo was rumoured to be sniffing round Groupe...http://www.just-drinks.com/blogdetail.aspx?ID=1406 Coke and Pepsi - where are they not number one- June 11, 2008 Back into London town again yesterday (10 June) to attend the British Soft Drinks Association's annual industry lunch. A most entertaining affair, made all the more pleasant by my table partners from AG Barr. The UK-based company is the proud owner of the soft drink brand Irn Bru, which, I found out at lunch, sells a staggering 12 cans a second to the 6m Scots. Indeed, Scotland is one of only three soft drinks markets around the world in which neither Coca-Cola nor Pepsi holds the top brand, I..http://www.just-drinks.com/blogdetail.aspx?ID=1405 Down and out in ... well, just London- June 5, 2008 Despite the jet-setting coming to an end - Brazil and Russia sandwiching the London International Wine Fair last month - we've still managed to keep ourselves in trouble with plenty of fun on the home front. Last week, we were on a wet and windy boat on the Thames in London, to witness the launch of Carlsberg's Draughtmaster Professional System in the UK. This week, we've already had a marvellous dinner, courtesy of Pernod Ricard, to celebrate the UK release of the Jameson Premium...http://www.just-drinks.com/blogdetail.aspx?ID=1404 |