Frito-Lay is about to launch a new line of its Cracker Jacks snacks, Cracker Jack’d, which will include a caffeinated variety called Power Bites. The new product has already generated much buzz among American health-advocacy activists, who are worried that the snacks with such an addictive stimulant might affect kids by making them too hyper. The new “energy” variety comes soon after two other products appeared in the Kraft Foods Group portfolio, the Mio drink flavoring enhancers and Jelly Belly’s “Extreme Sport Beans.”

The 2012 presidential election in the USA was definitely the first social media political election across the globe. Now, with the rapid development of the web and technology, when digital sources help people sharing their choices in all fields, the winner is the one who manages to establish its strong presence on the web, be it a consumer brand or a president.

H&M is launching two new campaigns to promote underwear Christmas collections, one featuring the world’s hottest and most stylish footballer David Beckham, and the other fronted by celebrated actress and model Laetitia Casta. The retailer also unveils behind-the-scenes video from David’s photo shoot, which is as stunning as the images from the campaign.

Starbucks is always among the first to tap into the Christmas frenzy. Annually, the coffee and tea brand introduces its holiday items with the bright and creative design, along with holiday activities, giveaways and apps. This year, the brand is keeping up to the tradition and launches its Starbucks Rekindle page, “Holiday Village,” in the USA, which offers tons of gifts to the local consumers.

The Dewar’s blended Scotch whisky brand has collaborated with Freemans Sporting Club to create a special holiday kit, which embodies the brands’ style and attitude to true of male symbols. The whisky brand approached FSC to create a kit just for upcoming winter holidays 2012—the finished product is a great 6-pocket bag, handmade in NYC, which includes a range of travel essentials.

The cosmetics brand with a 77-year history, L’Oréal’s Lancôme, taps a legendary, now 80-year old, animated character Betty Boop for its advertising. The sweet female character with giant eyes, created as a caricature of singer Helen Kane, will make its appearance in the Hypnôse Star print advertising and store displays this season. The screen celebrity from the 30s, created by Max Fleischer, will get featured on the ads leaning up against a container of the standing mascara, next to the model Daria Werbowy.

Сoca-Cola is reorganizing its prime hub, www.thecoca-colacompany.com, to make it fit into the modern digital environment, shifting from the corporate website image to an online magazine positioning. According to The New York Times, the update is described by the company’s executives “as the most ambitious digital project they have undertaken.” The scope of subjects to be covered on the reimagined platform is ranging from entertainment, the environment, health and sports to corporate announcements, the website will also feature press releases as well as opinion columns, interviews, video, audio and photo content.