Seattle’s Best Coffee, part of Starbucks Corp., Seattle, teamed with celebrity chef and “Next Food Network Star” winner Jeff Mauro to launch the Red Cup Showdown, a national search at state fairs and on Facebook to find the most imaginative new coffee drink. The grand prize winner will be awarded $10,000 and the chance to have their coffee drink featured at Seattle’s Best Coffee locations across North America.
The Coca-Cola Co., Atlanta, announced that Powerade, the official sports drink of the London 2012 Olympic Games, is offering athletes from around the world the opportunity to train with professional athletes and coaches at the Powerade Sports Academy during the Olympics.
Purchase, N.Y.-based PepsiCo brand Mountain Dew debuted exclusive content for fans eagerly awaiting the release of Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Legendary Pictures’ “The Dark Knight Rises.” Mountain Dew introduced the website, www.dewgothamcity.com, which features never-before-seen Dark Knight content with unprecedented access to Gotham City, the company says.
Starbucks Coffee Co., Seattle, announced the launch of its Indivisible collection, which includes an Indivisible Blend coffee and two new products to support the Create Jobs for USA program. With each purchase from the Indivisible collection, Starbucks will make a donation to Opportunity Finance Network for the Create Jobs for USA fund to help create and retain jobs across the country.
The Coca-Cola Foundation, the global philanthropic arm of Atlanta-based The Coca-Cola Co., awarded $26 million in grants to 85 community organizations during the first quarter of 2012. The grants support the foundation’s global priority areas, including the following: $9.7 million for water stewardship; $3.6 million for fitness and nutrition; $7.4 million for education; and $4.9 million for community recycling and other local priorities such as HIV/AIDS, malaria, youth development and civic initiatives.
Jamba Juice Co., Emeryville, Calif., announced that The Organic Center has pledged to support Jamba’s “Team Up for a Healthy America” lifestyle initiative. The Jamba-sponsored annual program seeks to raise awareness about the nation’s obesity epidemic by encouraging people to make weekly pledges to live a healthier lifestyle. Pledges can range from eating healthier foods to incorporating exercise into a daily routine, the company said.
E. & J. Gallo Winery, Modesto, Calif., and Accolade Wines, Napa, Calif., both recently announced brand purchases from Healdsburg, Calif.-based Ascentia Wine Estates.
After weeks of public voting, fans have appointed Salisbury, N.C.-based Caroline Beverage Corp.’s second annual Miss Cheerwine. Bria Freed of Fort Myers, Fla., was selected to represent the 95-year-old family-owned soda as brand ambassador to spread the Legend of the South in the ultimate summer job.
The Coca-Cola Co., Atlanta, as well as Dearborn, Mich.-based Ford Motor Co., Pittsburgh-based The H.J. Heinz Co., Beaverton, Ore.-based Nike Inc. and Cincinnati-based Procter & Gamble announced the formation of the Plant PET Technology Collaborative (PTC), a strategic working group focused on accelerating the development and use of 100 percent plant-based PET materials and fiber in their products.