Dunkin' Takes Battle Against Starbucks to Grocery Stores

Dunkin' has been running a marketing campaign that goes after Starbucks stores on taste, boasting that it beat the java giant in an "independent taste test." Now, J.M. Smucker Co., which owns Dunkin's supermarket-distributed coffee brand, is mounting an online sampling program for the brew-at-home version, DunkinAtHome.com. The site offers samples of Dunkin's original blend, as well as Dunkin' Dark.

AdAge

Gatorade Changes Up Its Game

New iterations of Gatorade Thirst Quencher, the flagship Gatorade brand, will sport a large letter G next to the brand's iconic bolt. "For Gatorade, G represents the heart, hustle and soul of athleticism and will become a badge of pride for anyone who sweats," according to a company press release. (Reps from The Gatorade Co., a unit of PepsiCo, could not be reached at press time.)

BrandWeek

2009 Will Be Year Of Comfort Food, Cocktails

Chicago-based market research firm Mintel, which says that 54% of people who dined out regularly were cutting back on restaurant spending because of the economy, argues that the recession could still be a boon for those who know what consumers want. One of those things is comfort food, based on slow baking and grilling. Braising and poaching will become au courant, says the firm.

MediaPost

Work off that Holiday Weight at the Office

Did you have too many sweets and a little too much egg nog? Have to go back to work? Well, your prayers have been answered, you can work off that holiday weight with the greatest invention known to man . . .


Thanks Emily C. for the link

Eating Healthy, Even at Your Desk

FreshDirect is also introducing a line of vending machines for corporate offices that dispense “4-Minute Meals” developed in conjunction with popular New York restaurants, like chicken tikka masala from Tabla, and beef short rib enchiladas from Rosa Mexicano.

New York Times

General Mills, ConAgra Report Good Quarters

While factors such as the lingering effects of recent high commodities prices and consumer resistance to value-priced brands had some impact, both General Mills and ConAgra reported solid financial performance for their latest quarters on Wednesday.

Marketing Daily

Makes you wanna drink . . .

Check out this new packaging from Francis Ford Coppola's wine “Encycolpedia”

http://www.thedieline.com/blog/2008/12/very-cool-post.html

While it's not edible. . . .

. . . when anyone ever finds a talking Barbie head it must be posted to the web whenever possible. You MUST GO HERE TO VIEW VIDEO.


Thanks RP, you know the internet backwards and forwards

Store Brands Lift Grocers in Troubled Times

As the economy plunges into a deep recession, grocery stores are one of the few sectors doing well. That is because cash-short consumers are eating out less and stocking up at the supermarket. And store brand products, which tend to be cheaper than national brands and more profitable for grocers, are doing especially well.

New York Times

Coke Set to Unveil Natural Diet Drink

Coca-Cola Co. is expected to launch a drink in the U.S. this week containing a natural, calorie-free sweetener, intensifying a race with PepsiCo Inc. to dominate a new generation of noncarbonated beverages. Coke is pushing ahead even though the Food and Drug Administration as of Sunday hadn't issued a formal blessing of the ingredient.

Coke plans to market three flavors of a juice drink in its Odwalla line that contain the sweetener, derived from the herb stevia, according to people familiar with Coke's plans.

Wall Street Journal

Sara Lee cutting 700 jobs in outsourcing plans

NEW YORK (Associated Press) - Sara Lee Corp. said Thursday it will cut 700 jobs as it outsources parts of its business to bring between $200 million and $250 million in savings in the next three years.

via cnn money

CEO Forum: Irene Rosenfeld says innovation is key for Kraft

We're certainly seeing (strength in) products that provide obvious value: powdered beverages like Kool-Aid and Crystal Light, for example, in comparison to ready-to-drink alternatives. We're finding that people are eating grilled cheese a lot more.

We're seeing products like DiGiorno pizza, in contrast to pizzeria pizza or restaurant pizza, are performing quite well. Even products like Oscar Mayer meats are having a resurgence. People are eating hot dogs more for dinner.

USA Today

Dunkin's new CEO set to expand

"It's all about growth," Travis said. "We've got a lot of contacts between us and we can take the two strong brands out to these contacts and expand across the world."

boston.com

Dunkin' CEO Replaced by Papa John's CEO

An executive at one of the investment companies that owns Dunkin' stated, "We wanted someone with a strong consumer background and someone who has an ability to bring strong managerial experience to bear on a company that continues to have a strong growth trajectory even in this difficult environment." He said Travis met those two requirements and they were very excited about the opportunity to work with him.

Blue MauMau

Waste Company Thinks Outside the Can For The Holidays

Company holiday gifts these days tend to be as exciting as branded chotchkees. This year Grupo Hera took a different approach and commissioned Ciclus, a Spanish design firm to create a gift that turned waste into resources. The end result... a wine case that turns into a lamp that turns into recyclable waste!

The Dieline

Smucker Cuts Folgers, Dunkin' Coffee Prices

Smucker is cutting Folgers Ground prices by 3.5% (10 cents per 10.3-11.5 ounce can); Folgers Gourmet varieties by 7.8% (10 cents per 10 to 12 ounces); and Folgers instant by 4.4%.

MediaPost

Health Claims Help Fuel Premium Chocolate Growth

U.S. sales of conventional, lower-priced chocolate grew just 1.5% last year to $13.5 billion, while premium products saw growth of 20% to $3 billion, according to a new Packaged Facts report, "Premium Chocolate in the U.S.: Mass, Gourmet, Prestige and Super Premium."

MediaPost

Kraft Brings Crackers to Life in Holiday Push

Kraft today unveiled a print and online campaign that tells the story of three ginormous crackers: Ritz, Triscuit and Wheat Thins—all of which are part of Kraft's Nabisco division. The push comes as U.S. consumers prepare for another season of eat-at-home entertaining.