Coca-Cola
Beating analyst expectations, Coca-Cola’s latest quarterly earnings show the positive impact of buoyant demand and positive pricing. Fourth quarter unit case volumes were up 2 percent and pricing contributed 9 percentage points to nominal sales growth. However, the company expects positive pricing will soon begin to wane. It forecasts 6-7 percent organic revenue growth in Fiscal 2024, down from 12 percent in 2023.
Healthy soda brand Poppi is reportedly in the sights of Coca-Cola and others, according to commentators. Coca-Cola refused to comment on acquisition rumors, as did Cavu Venture Partners, which handles Poppi’s brand communications. Poppi doesn’t disclose sales data but says it sells its sodas on Amazon and in stores like Target, Costco, Kroger and Whole Foods. It claims its sodas are healthier than traditional options and uses fruit juice and apple cider vinegar. A can contains around 25 calories versus 140 or so for a can of Coke Classic.
Coca-Cola Happy Tears Zero Sugar is a variant of its flagship drink and will be exclusive to TikTok from this month in the US and UK. Oana Vlad, global senior brand director of Coca-Cola Zero Sugar and Coke Creations, said Coke Creations engages young consumers on average twice as much as other Coke initiatives. Shakir Moin, the company’s North America marketing chief, said Coca-Cola aims to develop products faster and more frequently. In 2023, it launched Coca Cola Y3000 under Coke’s Creations arm using insights from data collected during consumer interactions with the company’s media platforms.
Other Companies
G FUEL Cadenza is the result of a collaboration between G FUEL Energy Formula and game developer ATLUS to celebrate Persona 3 Reload™. Shoppers can pre-order a limited-edition Collector's Box. G FUEL Cadenza is inspired by Persona 3 Reload's Cadenza in-game spell, which restores hit points by 50 percent and increases their accuracy and evasion rates. The Collector's Box includes a 40-serving Tub of G FUEL Cadenza, a 24 oz fully wrapped G FUEL Shaker Cup and a G FUEL x Persona 3 Reload sticker. G FUEL Cadenza Energy Formula contains antioxidants from 18 different fruit extracts and zero sugar, as well 15 calories and 140 mg of caffeine per serving.
US functional energy drink brand Odyssey has closed a $6 million funding round, which will provide a “pivotal moment” for the brand and demonstrates endorsement of the brand’s “distinctive blend of vitality and cognitive enhancement”. Odyssey beverages are based on adaptogenic ingredients such as lions mane and cordyceps mushrooms, L-Theanine, Ginseng and green tea caffeine to provide energy, focus, mood benefits and cognitive clarity. The investment will fund sales, marketing and inventory to support brand expansion. There are three lines – the original Odyssey Mushroom Elixir; Odyssey 222, with 222mg of caffeine; and Odyssey Revive with electrolytes, magnesium, zinc and vitamin C. Each has no sugar, preservatives, artificial flavors or sweeteners and is suitable for vegan, non-GMO and kosher diets.
Ghost, a lifestyle sports nutrition brand, is adding a ready-to-drink fruity hydration beverage line. Ingredients include 996mg total electrolytes (potassium, magnesium, chloride, calcium and sodium), the recommended daily allowance of vitamins B6, B12 and vitamin C. There’s also 500mg of Aquamin calcium citrate malate from seaweed and 50mg of Senactiv Panax notoginseng and Rosa roxburghii extracts. Ghost’s new drinks can be bought online at drinkghost.com, Amazon, GNC and The Vitamin Shoppe in 12-packs as well as in convenience and grocery stores such as 7-Eleven, Kroger, Walmart and Target. Flavors are Orange Squeeze, Lemon Lime, Kiwi Strawberry and Sour Patch Kids “Redberry” flavors.
The Sparkling Ice®, a brand owned by Talking Rain Beverage Company®, is launching Sparkling Ice® STARBURST™, a range of flavors based on STARBURST® original fruit chew candy with zero sugar. The sparkling water collaboration aims to appeal to new consumers looking for zero-sugar drinks. Influencers have so far accumulated over half-million views on TikTok. It’s the brand’s first major initiative since Sparkling Ice introduced its "Anything But Subtle" campaign at the start of 2024, alongside actress Annie Murphy as its "Chief Flavor Officer". STARBURST flavors included in the lineup are the four original flavors: cherry, lemon, orange and strawberry. They can be purchased on Amazon from March 4 and are already available in select retailers with further rollout nationally in the spring.