Industry Issues
May 1, 2006
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CCE Taps Brock As CEO
Coca-Cola Enterprises, Atlanta, has named John Brock, former chief
executive officer of InBev, chief operating officer of Cadbury Schweppes
and chairman of Dr Pepper/Seven Up Bottling Group Inc., as its new
president and chief executive officer.
“John’s global operations, marketing and
brand experience make him uniquely suited to address today’s complex
marketplace dynamics,” said CCE Chairman and Interim Chief Executive
Officer Lowry Kline. “His insight and strategic leadership, honed
over almost three decades of managing international companies, has made him
one of the most respected leaders in the beverage industry. John’s
knowledge of both the brand and bottling sides of our business is a
powerful combination that will benefit our unparalleled distribution
network and brand portfolio to drive value for our shareowners.”
Brock assumes his new role this month, and Kline plans
to continue in his post as chairman.
Brock most recently served as chief executive officer
of InBev, based in Belgium. Prior to that, he was chief operating officer
of Cadbury Schweppes and chairman of Dr Pepper/Seven-Up Bottling Group from
March 2000 to January 2003. He was named Beverage
Industry’s 2000 Executive of the Year.
Cott names new leadership
Cott Corp, Toronto, has
appointed Brent Willis president and chief executive officer, succeeding
John Sheppard, who has left the company.
“[Willis] has extensive global experience, as
well as a demonstrated track record of driving improved business
performance and profitability in highly competitive environments,”
said Frank Weise, Cott chairman.
Willis previously served as zone president for InBev Asia Pacific as well as chief commercial
officer and chief marketing and sales officer for the Belgium-based brewing
company.
Soft drink companies pull products from schools
The Coca-Cola Co., PepsiCo, Cadbury Schweppes Americas Beverages and
the American Beverage Association, along with the William J. Clinton
Foundation, announced new guidelines for school vending that remove most
regular soft drinks from schools in favor of lower-calorie waters,
unsweetened juices, milk and sports drinks.
The new standards will cap the number of calories at
100 per container except for certain milk and juice products that contain
enough nutrition to warrant additional calories.
The agreement is expected to cover 75 percent of
school vending programs by the 2008-2009 school year, and to be fully
implemented by the 2009-2010 school year, provided school districts are
willing to amend existing contracts.
Under the new standards, U.S. elementary schools will
sell only water, 8-ounce containers of juice with no added sweeteners and
non-fat and low-fat milk. Middle schools will carry the same products as
elementary schools, but can increase the container sizes to 10 ounces.
High schools will be able to sell bottled water, low-
or no-calorie beverages, 12-ounce servings of milk, 100 percent juice and
sports drinks. At least 50 percent of beverages must be water and no- or
low-calorie beverages.
“The new guidelines will continue our
industry’s work to provide more lower-calorie and nutritious or
functional beverages for students,” said Susan Neely, president and
chief executive officer at the American Beverage Association.
“Limiting calories in schools is a sensible approach that
acknowledges our industry’s long-standing belief that school wellness
efforts must focus on teaching kids to consume a balanced diet and be
physically active.”
