Kent to succeed Isdell at Coca-Cola

The Coca-Cola Co. announced President and Chief Operating Officer Muhtar Kent will succeed Neville Isdell as chief executive officer as of July 1, 2008. Isdell will remain chairman until April 2009. "Having worked closely with Muhtar for nearly 20 years, I know that his combination of industry knowledge, passion for operational excellence, strategic vision and high level of interpersonal skills is the ideal blend to take our company forward,” Isdell said in a statement.

Kent first joined Coca-Cola in 1978 and held a variety of roles. In 1999, he left to become president and chief executive officer of the Efes Co. in Europe, and returned to Coca-Cola in May 2005. He was named president of Coca-Cola International in January 2006 and appointed president and chief operating officer in December 2006.

“Muhtar Kent has been a positive change for the company since taking the COO role in December,” wrote Citigroup analyst Bonnie Herzog in her reaction to the announcement. “We don't expect major strategic changes as Kent has been a major driver in the notable shift in the company's strategic direction, which has included the company’s willingness to venture outside the company's own strategic brands for growth.”

In other people news… Jones Soda Chief Executive Officer Peter van Stolk announced he will step down at the end of the year. Board members Scott Bedbury and Steve Jones will take over the positions of chairman and chief executive officer, respectively, while the company conducts a search for van Stolk’s replacement. Read the full announcement on Coca-Cola's and Jones Soda's

In other news

Coca-Cola extends NASCAR sponsorship
Coca-Cola has extended its 40-year partnership with NASCAR through 2017. The sponsorship allows multiple Coca-Cola brands to connect with racing fans and support NASCAR at all levels – from helping to fund grassroots racing to associating with some of the biggest names in the NASCAR Spring Cup Series. Coca-Cola, Powerade, Dasani and Minute Maid currently are official drinks of NASCAR and the company plans to promote Coke Zero and Vitaminwater heavily in the future. The beverage company also extended its sponsorship agreement with International Speedway Corp., which makes Coke the leading soft drink across NASCAR-sanctioned tracks. Read more about the partnership.

PepsiCo names new communications VP
PepsiCo appointed Julie Hamp senior vice president of PepsiCo Communications. Hamp, who is a 25-year veteran of General Motors, will report to Indra Nooyi, chairman and chief executive officer. She will lead the company’s worldwide communications teams, including PepsiCo corporate, PepsiCo International, PepsiCo America Beverages and PepsiCo America Foods.

“Julie brings to PepsiCo both a true global perspective and a long track record of outstanding performance,” Nooyi said in a statement. “We are extremely proud she will lead our communications team and she will also have an important voice on our executive team.” Read more on the appointment.

Fortune Brands elects new member to board of directors
Fortune Brands Inc., Deerfield, announced Ann Fritz Hackett has been elected to its board of directors. Hackett is president of Horizon Consulting Group, a firm that provides business strategy, organizational and human resources advice to global companies.

“We are delighted to welcome Ann to the board of Fortune Brands,” said Norm Wesley, chairman and chief executive officer, in a statement. “With her extensive consulting background across a diverse spectrum of industries, Ann will bring valuable experience and insights to the work of our board.” Read more on the addition.

U.S. craft brewers win international accolades
Participants in the Brewers Association’s Export and Development Program recently won a combined 30 medals from the Stockholm Beer and Whisky Festival and the European Beer Star Competition. Eighteen U.S. craft breweries participated in the BA-sponsored U.S. craft beer booth at the Stockholm Beer and Whisky Festival. Gold medalists at the Swedish festival include Harpoon IPA from Harpoon Brewery, Porter from Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., Shakespeare Stout from Rogue Ales and 90 Minute IPA from Dogfish Head Craft Brewery.

At the European Beer Star Competition, 22 craft brewers won awards. The awards were presented in November at the Brau Beviale trade show in Germany. Brewery Ommegang, Boston Beer Co., Deschutes Brewery and Harpoon Brewery took top awards in this competition. For a full list of winners, click here.

Guru 100% Natural

Guru Energy Drink, Montreal, released three new hybrid energy drinks. Guru Sports, Guru Iced Tea and Guru Juicy combine Guru’s energy ingredients in a non-carbonated formulation packaged in a 473-ml. can. The all-natural drinks retail for $2.99. http://guruenergy.com/

Bigelow and Arizona

Bigelow Tea, Fairfield, Conn., and Arizona Beverages, Lake Success, N.Y., teamed up to offer bottled ready-to-drink chai teas and hot teas. Bigelow Tea’s RTD flavors, Mocha Chai Latte and Vanilla Chai Latte, are available in 10-ounce bottles for $1.79. Arizona’s Green Tea with Ginseng and Honey, Mandarin Orange Green Tea and Pomegranate Green Tea with Acai are available in tea bags in 20-count boxes for $3.59. http://www.bigelowtea.com and http://www.drinkarizona.com

Revolution 50/50 Iced

Revolution Tea, Phoenix, released Revolution 50/50 Iced for the food service industry. The new flavor is the company’s take on an Arnold Palmer, and blends premium black tea with lemonade. Revolution 50/50 Iced contains 120 calories, 30 grams of sugar and 30 grams of carbohydrates in a 16-ounce serving. http://RevolutionTea.com