Last week, Big Red Inc., one of the Top 10 largest soft drink companies in North America, announced its purchase of Portland, Ore.-based Thomas Kemper Soda Co.

Despite overall declines in U.S. sales, customers are satisfied with most products in the soft drinks and beer categories, says a report released by the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI).

Odwalla, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Coca-Cola Co., Atlanta, introduced a new line of 150-calorie Smoothie Refreshers. Designed to complement meals, Odwalla Smoothie Refreshers are described by the company as having a refreshingly light texture and are available in Mango Lime Twist, Mixed Berry Shuffle and Pear Berry Jive flavors.

Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Plano, Texas, debuted its 10-calorie soft drink offering, Dr Pepper Ten, at retailers nationwide.

Phusion Projects’ Four Loko brand is launching an "Everything's Gone Four Loko" News 4 Station and website, which will serve as the platform for its new media campaign.

Starbucks Coffee Co., Seattle, introduced a new community model in the neighborhoods of Harlem, N.Y., and Crenshaw, Calif., where community organizations will share in the profits of a store in each community. Starbucks will donate a minimum of $100,000 to a local community organization for the first year of the partnership as it assesses the success of the program and gathers learning in hopes of creating a new type of corporate engagement in communities, the company says.

Catalina Marketing Services announced that it is expanding its nationwide point-of-sale (POS) media network into convenience stores at the National Association of Convenience Stores Show in Chicago. The expansion follows a successful pilot program with technology partner Outsite Networks. 

The Boston Beer Co. expanded its philanthropic initiative Samuel Adams Brewing the American Dream to Chicagoland food, beverage and hospitality small-business owners. The Chicago expansion of the program, which provides access to loans for small businesses, is in partnership with Accion Chicago, a member of the Accion U.S. Network.

Kara Goldin, chief executive officer of San Francisco-based Hint Inc., makers of the zero-calorie, unsweetened essence water, was named one of Fortune's 2011 Most Powerful Women Entrepreneurs.

The National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) will host its annual trade show as well as the association’s 50^th annual meeting, at McCormick Place in Chicago from Oct. 1 to 4.