Diet Pepsi is preparing a new advertising campaign, which is set to launch in early 2013 under the “Love Every Sip” tagline in the US. In addition, the brand has also quietly started to use a new artificial sweetener, ace-K (acesulfame potassium), to help the taste remain fresh and sweet for a longer time.
PepsiCo
Pepsi is announcing a new brand ambassador, Beyoncé, who actually has been on the brand’s celebrity roster since 2002. As part of the new round of partnership, which is defined as a “true creative and wide-ranging global collaboration,” the brand and the international music icon will be developing “new content and innovative ways to engage fans, consumers and retailers to benefit both brands,” notes Pepsi.
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 massive storm Sandy left the New York along with many parts of the eastern United States devastated these days. The hurricane killed at least 50 people and thousands ended up knocked out of their normal life since the disaster caused floods, blackouts and driving millions of losses for insuring companies. While millions of citizens in the area are trying to get over the disaster, brands are also contributing to the recovery—in their ways.
Brands are already getting ready to one of the biggest sports events in the USA, Super Bowl. The match, which traditionally attracts millions of viewers, has turned into a perfect occasion to promote all kinds of labels during the game. PepsiCo, one of the biggest advertisers of the event, announced yesterday, October 16, that it tapped international pop diva and 16-time Grammy-Award winner Beyoncé to perform during the Pepsi Super Bowl XLVII Halftime Show at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on CBS on February 3, 2013. The game and the music act will be broadcast internationally.
In an attempt to engage consumers, brands have been experimenting with vending machines for the last couple of years. For example, Kenco Millicano installed a talking vending machine in London this August. Now PepsiCo offers Americans to experience vending in a new way. The company has introduced its Pepsi Interactive Vending machine pilot program which lets consumers in select U.S. locations to buy beverages, gift them and play games.
Technology innovations are not a sole prerogative of the Silicon Valley companies today. As it was announced earlier this March, PepsiCO10 incubator has expanded to the so-called emerging markets, and recently —to Brazil to give a chance to young tech startups and digital entrepreneurs to bring their ideas to life and drive IT business (and the whole society) forward.