Dollar sales for carbonated beverages in U.S. retail stores increased by 1.9 percent in 2012 compared with the prior year; however, volume decreased by 1.6 percent, according to Euromonitor International, Chicago.

Purchase, N.Y.-based PepsiCo’s Pepsi brand is calling on its fans to “Dance for a Chance” to win exclusive prizes and opportunities as part of the brand’s Iconic Summer promotion. Starting July 4, fans who submit a 10-second dance video clip themed after Pepsi's latest TV commercial, “Mirrors,” featuring R&B artist Beyoncé, may be eligible to win the chance to appear in a unique "super fan" music video choreographed by Beyoncé's choreographer, Chris Grant.

After launching a line of all-natural, certified organic sodas sweetened with agave nectar in 2001, Oogavé recently introduced a low-calorie line of naturally sweetened sodas called Loca.

The Coca-Cola Co.’s latest digital campaign seeks to entice teens on the platform they know and love best — their cell phones, tablets, computers and other digital devices.

Jones Soda Co. launched Natural Jones Sodas, which are sweetened with a proprietary blend of pure cane sugar, organic agave syrup and stevia.

Zevia, a zero-calorie soda, released its Cola, Cherry Cola, Cream Soda, Ginger Ale, Ginger Root Beer and Grape varieties in four-packs of 12-ounce glass bottles in the natural channel.

PepsiCo introduced a new bottle structure and label for its Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Pepsi Next and Pepsi Max brands.

Within the last five years, global launches of carbonated drinks have grown significantly, according to a December 2012 report by the Netherlands-based Innova Market Insights titled “Carving New Niches for Carbonates.”

For the second consecutive year, Pepsi Max, a brand of Purchase, N.Y.-based PepsiCo, will host a gathering of Major League Baseball (MLB) legends at the 2013 Pepsi Max MLB Field of Dreams Game. This year's game will take place May 18 at Frontier Field in Rochester, N.Y., featuring an American League (AL) vs. National League (NL) match-up with MLB legends and the consumer winners from the Pepsi Max MLB Field of Dreams promotion.

 

The Coca-Cola Co., Atlanta, plans to host events for fans of all ages in the company’s hometown during the 2013 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Men’s Final Four weekend, which also is taking place in Atlanta. Coke Zero, the official fan refreshment of the NCAA, and Powerade, the official sports drink of the NCAA, will be the dominant players in the company’s celebrations, it says.