I remember back in junior high school when the rumors circulated that Coca-Cola was actually laced with cocaine. Any one else remember that one? Well, those rumors are back, but they involve Red Bull Cola this time.

Red Bull Cola is roughly a year old and is supposed to supply the same "kick" that Red Bull gives -- but officials in Germany believe the kick comes from cocaine.

Here's the problem: the Austrian-based company, Red Bull GmbH, boasts that its cola is 100% natural and it uses the coca leaf. The use of the coca-leaf extract led to positive tests for cocaine when German officials scrutinized Red Bull Cola.

Actually, the head of the food safety department in Germany's federal ministry for consumer protection stated that it "examined Red Bull Cola in an elaborate chemical process and found traces of cocaine."

Continue reading Red Bull Cola, now with a refreshing kick of ... cocaine?

Red Bull Cola, now with a refreshing kick of ... cocaine? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 26 May 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Earlier this morning, I was looking through some news items from the past several days when I came across one at Brandweek that both interested and delighted me. The article concerned an online survey done at teen social networking site Habbo. Teenagers between the ages of 11 and 18 named some of their favorite brands. Companies like McDonald's (NYSE: MCD) and Nike (NYSE: NKE) did very well in the poll. But the company that delighted me that also was a winner in the survey was Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO).

One of the reasons why I was so happy can be found in the disclosure at the bottom of this piece -- I own shares of the beverage icon in my long-term portfolio. I suppose that would be the top reason, but here's the thing -- it's been my experience that the youth of America don't like Coca-Cola that much. Well, I should state that the youth that I know don't respect Coke (and they should, it's a delicious, refreshing experience that has no equal!). When it comes to soda, PepsiCo (NYSE: PEP) unfortunately seems to be the brand of choice among the younger folk in my area (don't take this as any sort of statistically scientific statement, please). Come to think of it, even older people that I know seem to prefer Pepsi. It really is a disconcerting situation. Coca-Cola stockholders realize that young people must be marketed to in a powerful manner so that future returns on invested capital in Coke's flagship brands can help drive value. And let's not forget that Red Bull wants to enter the cola wars -- see Zac Bissonnette's post about this bubbly new development.

Of course, as the article implies, the survey results don't necessarily translate into buying trends -- the survey, simply put, was checking on how well-known certain brands are among this specific demographic. Nevertheless, it's important for Coca-Cola to be known -- that's winning a big part of the battle for future perpetual customer loyalty. Coca-Cola still has a long way to go, in my opinion, in terms of instilling a "cool factor" into its famous trademark sodas. Like I say, it's been my perception that the younger a beverage consumer is, the more likely said beverage consumer is to prefer Pepsi. I don't like that, certainly (I did, however, like this survey!).

Disclosure: I own shares in Coca-Cola; positions can change at any time.

Do young people like Coca-Cola anymore? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 10 Apr 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

State attorneys general investigate energy drink companies originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 21 Feb 2008 12:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Energy drinks? Coffee, please

Energy drinks? Coffee, please originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 07 Aug 2007 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

If mere athletic talent sold product, kids would be lining up for Tim Duncan's shoes, since he is the best player in the NBA. But it doesn't. It takes a combination of extraordinary athletic accomplishment and charisma to push a brand over the top. Three such athletes, Amanda Beard, LeBron James and Tiger Woods, are front and center in this week's news.

Two are at the peak of their pulling power. LeBron James (Nike, NYSE: NKE, Coca-Cola's (NYSE: KO) Powerade) fresh from an astonishing game five of the NBA Eastern conference playoffs, is dominating the sports page, if not the San Antonio Spurs. The Cleveland franchise has gained $185 million in value since his signing, and the $90 million he received from Nike seems like a bargain now. When his contract expires in 2008, he could demand -- $250 million? $500 million? It is possible, by the end of the career, he could be the first $1 billion athlete?

If Tiger doesn't beat him to it. Beginning tomorrow, Tiger Woods (Nike, Buick, General Motors, NYSE:GM) starts his pursuit of the 2007 U.S. Open. He's inked a 5-year, $40 million deal with Nike, and $25 million from Buick. Unlike LeBron, Tiger can look forward to another 30 years of playing, with lots of green jackets and green cash to come.

Continue reading Amanda Beard: Olympic sized...endorsement potential

Amanda Beard: Olympic sized...endorsement potential originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 13 Jun 2007 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

New York's Major League Soccer team is owned - and named after - Red Bull. Xyience is the drink of choice at the UFC. Gatorade, a unit of PepsiCo (NYSE: PEP) is an official sponsor of the NFL.

Earlier today, Jones Soda Co (NASDAQ: JSDA) said it would be a sponsor of the NFL's Seattle Seahawks on CNBC. The Seahawk organization granted Jones the exclusive soft-drink and certain non-alcoholic beverage availability rights at Qwest and Events Center as well as other sponsorship and trademark rights regarding the use of the Seahawks trademarks through 2012.

The world of alternative beverages continues to gain notoriety and Jones' deal with the Seattle Seahawks is a big step not only for the company but for the sector. Shares of Jones Soda closed up 8.25%, to $21.64 today.

I wonder if Jones would make an exclusive drink to promote the deal. They could call it Seattle Sludge, perhaps? How about Football Fudge?

Seahawks fans will soon enjoy Jones' Turkey and Gravy Soda at Qwest Field originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 23 May 2007 16:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Gallery: Amanda Beard Playboy photos unpacked

Amanda Beard drops duds for Playboy originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 16 May 2007 12:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.