Wall Street Smarts 2003: Issue of CSD Growth at Center Stage.
Wives of Henry VIII. 8-oz Cans From Pepsi.

At BD's June conference held June 9 in NYC, multiple presentations focus on slowing CSD growth and sources of future growth. Some speakers speculate re major beverage companies in future making big moves into dairy and/or home and office delivery (HOD) of bottled water. Coke North American retail chief Don Knauss talks of new consumer trends such as health and wellness, freshness and innovation. Adds part of thinking behind Coke's three-tier water strategy is to "create scale." Tom Bené, COO of Pepsi's SoBe unit, in response to question about SoBe positioning, explains: "Historically, it was all about edgy ... We are trying to extend ourselves more into health and wellness." Dr Pepper/Seven Up president Mike McGrath notes that of industry's four major "trademarks that have innovated over past few years, none have consistent trademark growth and all have their base volume trademark brand down." Adds he hopes company's new Raging Cow dairy drink will make DPSU "the Ben & Jerry's of packaged milk."

Plus. Coca-Cola Enterprises senior vp/chief planning officer Shaun Higgins -- though mainly talking about Europe -- interrupts own presentation and declares: "Henry VIII took better care of his wives than we as an industry have done with revenue management. More about that in future speeches." Pepsi Bottling Group North America president Eric Foss says key to accelerating CSD growth is "really innovative new ways to drive ounces per pack through innovative packaging." Says PBG will test 8-oz can six-packs this year. Cott North American chief John Sheppard predicts in future private label will dominate bottled water category. Details; CD-ROM of conference. Green Sheet presents summaries of each speaker's presentation. BD also offers CD-ROM of conference presentations; click here to order.