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Don't you just hate it when one of the companies in your portfolio finds itself the subject of litigation? Especially when it's a lawsuit not so much for money but to generate a little bad publicity? I know, lawsuits are part of the game of any business. They are nothing more than another cost on the income statement. But I hate it when it has to do with an acquisition that is still young. I'm talking about Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO) and a lawsuit brought against its VitaminWater asset.
According to this source, The Center for Science in the Public Interest doesn't like the way that Coke publicizes the health benefits of VitaminWater and is suing to make its point.
Words on the label of the bottles of the product irk the group, words like "defense" and "rescue." For those who have never ingested one of these drinks, these are the names of the drinks and are supposed to help consumers know which beverage to use in case you are feeling sick, or are feeling fatigued, etc.
There also is a complaint about the amount of sugar in VitaminWater. The advocacy group believes that the excessive quantity of sugar present may in fact offset any health benefits. Okay, I'll concede one thing as a VitaminWater drinker myself: they are a bit sweet, and I do wish the company would offer lower-sugar versions. Why Coke doesn't is beyond me, it would be a great marketing move. But, for the most part, I think you have to take the funny little write-ups that you find on the bottles of VitaminWater, the ones that sort of build the health claims that the Center is currently fighting, with a grain of salt. As far as I'm concerned, I enjoy drinking VitaminWater and I do think it is healthier than soda.
As a shareholder of Coke, this does bother me, and I think it's a big deal. That's because Coke paid billions for VitaminWater in the spring of 2007 and is still building the brand. I don't think Coke has unlocked the full potential of the acquisition yet, and I'm not pleased about this development. The best thing for Coke to do would be to fight the claims vigorously and highlight the need for vitamins. But, it should take heed of the sugar issue and do something about the caloric content of the beverages. The Center is correct on this count. It would be smart strategy for management to address this, there's no value in saving face by denying everything in the complaint. Coke needs VitaminWater to be the strongest asset possible so that it can compete against PepsiCo (NYSE: PEP) and its healthy-drink portfolio. Bad publicity won't help case-volume growth, I can tell you that.
Disclosure: I own Coke; positions can change at any time.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
1-15-2009 @ 10:10PM
Jared said...
There is where the buyer has to take responsibility to what they spend their money on. People complain companies "brainwash" them constantly, but the companies are really doing the same thing a two year old does when it wants something. It just repeats the same thing over and over until someone bites. Same thing with companies. If you buy it, don't complain it's unhealty. If you where that concern about your health, you'd only drink water, milk, and 100% fruit juices anyways. not products filled with High Fructose and sugars and preservatives.
1-17-2009 @ 1:12AM
carlettamoore said...
AS FOR COKE'S VITAMIN WATER IT IS NOT WHAT IT SAYS IT IS . THERE ARE NO VITAMINS JUST SUGAR WATER AND FLAVORING. I AM APPLAPPED AT THIS . I HAVE EVEN QUIT DRINKING COKE PRODUCTS WHEN BACK TO MY FIRST SODA PEPSI.I HOPE YOU DECIDE TO GET BACK TO THE BASICS OF LIFE BECAUSE YOU REALLY MESSED UP WITH THIS DRINK. CARLETTA MOORE
2-08-2009 @ 7:53PM
Taking A Gossip Break said...
The never ending Pepsi-Coke is good for America, because it keeps them both on their toes. No that anyone cares, but I never really drank a lot of Pepsi or Coke until I moved to Southeast Fla where we start to get frostbite when the temp hits 70. I always thought Pepsi had a bolder taste, but they seem to be too low on carbonation lately and I've switched back to Coke for the first time since childhood. I love vitamin water. I have no weight problem, and certainly don't want to get diabetes, but I like soft drinks with real sugar. Vitamin water tastes good to me, I drink it daily, and it DOES infuse your body with vitamins in a pleasant way. I don't think I have had so much Vitamin C in my life. Buy it - you'll like it, and feel healthier too (even if its only in your mind - remember, if you look at things differently, they become different)