PepsiCo, Inc. reports developments across a global beverage and convenient foods portfolio that includes Lay's, Doritos, Cheetos, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, Quaker, and SodaStream. Recurring news covers brand innovation, Gatorade hydration science, sports and consumer campaigns, supply-chain and go-to-market technology, and updates tied to the company's international operations.
Company announcements also cover dividend actions, annual meeting communications, and PepsiCo Positive initiatives involving renewable energy, fertilizer decarbonization, and broader value-chain sustainability programs. These updates reflect the company's mix of packaged foods, carbonated soft drinks, sports hydration, and other beverage categories sold across global markets.
Doritos is reviving its iconic Crash the Super Bowl contest, challenging fans to create a better Super Bowl ad for a chance to win $1 million. The campaign, which ran from 2006-2016, returns with a bold twist, daring critics and creatives to prove they can outdo Doritos' own commercials. The winning ad will air during Super Bowl LIX on February 9, 2025, in New Orleans.
Submissions are open from September 19 to November 11, 2024. A panel of judges will select the top 25 entries, with fans voting for their favorite among three finalists in January. The contest aims to unleash creativity and give fans unprecedented control over the brand's advertising. Previous Crash the Super Bowl ads consistently ranked in USA TODAY Ad Meter's top five, reaching number one four times.
Guayakí Yerba Mate, the category leader in yerba mate, has appointed Hari Avula to its Board of Directors. Avula will lead the company's Audit Committee, bringing extensive experience from leadership roles in global consumer, retail, and healthcare services businesses. His background includes serving as chief financial and strategic officer of Clif Bar & Company, senior roles at Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc., and a 22-year tenure at PepsiCo, Inc. (NASDAQ: PEP), where he was CFO of Frito Lay North America.
Avula currently serves on the Board of Directors of Sprouts Farmers Market (NASDAQ: SFM) and Believer Meats. Robyn Rutledge, Board Executive Chair of Guayakí Yerba Mate, expressed confidence that Avula's financial expertise will complement the Board's existing capabilities in leading the newly-formed Audit Committee.
Flamin' Hot®, a PepsiCo (PEP) brand, has launched a new marketing campaign called 'Cheat on Flamin' Hot® Cheetos®' to promote its diverse portfolio of spicy snacks. The campaign, running from September 17 to November 30, 2024, features TV personality Gabby Windey and Chester Cheetah®. Fans can win a 'Flamin' Hot Burner Phone' with a year of free cell service and the chance to receive deliveries of various Flamin' Hot snacks.
The campaign encourages consumers to explore the 25 different snacks in the Flamin' Hot lineup, including varieties of Cheetos®, Doritos®, Ruffles®, Lay's®, Munchies®, Smartfood®, Funyuns®, and Fritos®. PepsiCo aims to inspire fans to be bold and explore new spicy options through this initiative, which builds on the Flamin' Hot University concept introduced in 2023.
Gatorade has launched Gatorade Hydration Booster, a new electrolyte drink mix designed for everyday hydration. This product features an advanced blend of electrolytes from watermelon juice, sea salt, sodium citrate, and potassium salt. It contains 100% daily value of essential vitamins A, B3, B5, B6, and C, with no artificial flavors, sweeteners, or added colors.
The product is available in three flavors: Strawberry Watermelon, Tropical Mango, and Citrus Berry, priced at $8.99 for a box of six packets. Gatorade is promoting the product through a campaign called 'Put Your Water to Work,' which will be featured across multiple platforms starting September 17, 2024. The company is also expanding its reach to lifestyle and wellness spaces through various partnerships and marketing strategies.
Rold Gold, the Official Pretzel Sponsor of the NFL, has launched a sweepstakes offering fans a chance to win prizes during the football season. The grand prize includes a $1,000 grocery store shopping spree with former NFL star Jerry Rice. Weekly prizes of NFLShop.com e-gift cards are also available. The contest runs through December 7, 2024.
Additionally, Rold Gold has introduced -edition NFL Team Bags for select teams, available in 16 oz Tiny Twist packages in the Northeast. This initiative aims to enhance football fandom and celebrate gameday snacking traditions. Rold Gold, with over 100 years of pretzel-making experience, continues to offer high-quality, versatile snacks suitable for various occasions.
Smartfood Popcorn launches its 'Flavor You Can Feel Good About' campaign, featuring rap icon Flavor Flav as the Flavor Genie. The campaign highlights Smartfood's lineup of air-popped popcorn with non-artificial flavors and less than 100 calories per cup. Flavor Flav swaps his iconic clock necklace for an oversized popcorn kernel called the Pop Clock.
The campaign includes an online video starring Flavor Flav and a social media contest where fans can win a replica of the Pop Clock. Smartfood offers five flavor variations: White Cheddar, Movie Theater Butter, Sweet & Salty Kettle Corn, Doritos Nacho Cheese, and Flamin' Hot White Cheddar. The brand aims to provide delicious snacking options that consumers can feel good about, balancing light texture with bold flavors.
Gatorade, the leading sports drink brand, is expanding its presence in football with a new campaign and athlete roster. The brand has signed NFL stars Lamar Jackson, Justin Jefferson, and Puka Nacua, along with Diana Flores, the first flag football athlete to join Gatorade. The company is also collaborating with fashion designer Kristin Juszczyk on a -edition drop celebrating inclusivity in football.
As part of its Equity in Sports initiative, Gatorade is investing over $600,000 to provide young athletes, especially female flag football players, with more access to sports. The brand's new campaign, 'You Know We Got 'IT'', features a film narrated by Lamar Jackson, showcasing various elite athletes from Gatorade's football roster.
PepsiCo (NASDAQ: PEP) has announced the timing for the release of its third-quarter 2024 financial results. The company will post its earnings report and related information on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, on its official website. The schedule includes:
- Press release and 10-Q at approximately 6:00 a.m. EDT
- Prepared management remarks (PDF format) at about 6:30 a.m. EDT
- Live Q&A session for analysts with CEO Ramon Laguarta and CFO Jamie Caulfield at 8:15 a.m. EDT
This announcement provides investors and analysts with a clear timeline for accessing PepsiCo's latest financial performance data and insights from top executives.
PepsiCo (PEP) has launched 'Taste of Tomorrow', a $350,000 initiative to increase Black representation in STEM careers, focusing on food science and technology at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The program includes:
1. $250,000 in scholarships for STEM students across 9 HBCUs for the 2025 school year.
2. $100,000 for STEM resources at Florida A&M University and Prairie View A&M University.
3. R&D educational workshops and on-campus culinary innovations by Pepsi Zero Sugar and Doritos.
The initiative aims to address the underrepresentation of Black professionals in STEM, who currently make up only 9% of the workforce. PepsiCo is partnering with rapper and HBCU alum 2 Chainz to promote the program and inspire students.
Jack Link's and Frito-Lay have launched a campaign called 'Meat Your Inner Flavor' targeting Gen Z job seekers. The promotion encourages young professionals to embrace their unique personalities by creating flavor-fied headshots using 'Flavor Filters' on meatyourinnerflavor.com. Participants can enter for a chance to win $5,000 and experiences inspired by bold careers like lead guitarist, stallion trainer, or race car driver.
The campaign, running through September 15, 2024, ties into the brands' new video series showcasing their collaborative snack line, including Jack Link's Flamin' Hot, Fritos Chili Cheese, and Doritos Spicy Sweet Chili flavored meat snacks. Winners will receive a gift card for an experience, cash, and office snacks featuring the new product line.