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The View from A Farr - Fighting against the Fat Tax - (20th October 2009)
There's no doubt what's currently exercising the minds of beverage executives in the US - the threat of a Federal CSD tax. Now that President Obama has said the idea is worth investigating the ante has been upped and the industry's leading companies are aggressively fighting their corner – and, argues Annette Farr, with justification.
Preview - Tax Free World Association World Exhibition 2009 - (15th October 2009)
The duty-free industry’s most important annual trade show, the Tax Free World Association (TFWA) World Exhibition, celebrates its 25th anniversary in Cannes next week. This US$37bn global business has always prided itself on knowing how to throw a good party. But few heading to this year’s show will be in the mood to celebrate the silver jubilee, despite the lavish dinner and rock concert which organiser TFWA has planned. Joe Bates reports.
Focus - Any Port in a storm for Portuguese wine - (13th October 2009)
Those who have visited the Douro valley in Portugal will agree that it is a unique place. But scratch beneath the surface of this beautiful region and that uniqueness runs deep. So deep, indeed, that the laws of market forces appear not to apply. Chris Losh takes a look at the beneficio system, and the hornets nest it has stirred up in the Douro.
Spotlight - Alcohol industry advocates face tough crowd in Stockholm - (8th October 2009)
The second conference on alcohol-related harm convened by the Swedish Presidency of the EU included a large representation of NGOs opposed to self-regulation as a way of tackling alcohol-related harm. Ben Cooper asked representatives of the two industry bodies invited to speak whether they received a fair hearing.
Focus - Back to school opens doors for soft drinks, water - (6th October 2009)
Children returning to the classrooms this autumn are able to add to their RDA quotas of vitamins and minerals by drinking a range of school-compliant soft drinks. In response to consumer and government concerns about childhood obesity, health and wellness issues there has been a plethora of new beverage developments for the children's market. All the boxes are ticked: high juice content, use of all-natural ingredients, no artificial flavours, sweeteners or preservatives, and low or zero calories. Annette Farr reports.
The just-drinks interview - Joe Tripodi, CMO, The Coca-Cola Co. - (1st October 2009)
The opportunity to grab some time with the chief marketing officer of a company the size of The Coca-Cola Co. doesn't come along very often. However, when just-drinks was invited to Zurich by the company last week, the chance to grab an audience with Joe Tripodi was the clincher. Olly Wehring puts the questions to Tripodi, and his time starts... now.
Comment - The erosion of brands - (29th September 2009)
How long can a brand hang on to its image while acting in a way that contradicts it? How long before the drink-buying public cotton on that there is a dislocation between the fine words and the grubbier deeds? Chris Losh considers the damage done to a brand when price becomes a selling point.
just the answer – Brian Duffy, Guinness global brand director - (24th September 2009)
With today marking the celebrations of the 250th anniversary of the Guinness stout brand, just-drinks is in Dublin to speak to Guinness' global brand director, Brian Duffy.
The View from A Farr - Soft drinks attackers: Just chill out - (22nd September 2009)
As the attacks on the soft drinks and bottled water industries grow increasingly vocal around the world, companies in the two categories have looked to products offering whatever the consumer wants. Maybe, Annette Farr argues, the detractors ought to look at some of the more relaxing alternatives on offer.
Focus - Alcohol advertising safe in Tory hands - (17th September 2009)
The call last week by the British Medical Association (BMA) for an outright ban on alcohol advertising appeared to have little support in political circles or the media. Most crucially for the industry, it was rejected out of hand by the Conservative Party. With the Tories a racing certainty to take power in the next General Election, Ben Cooper casts an eye over Conservative thinking on alcohol policy.
