News Briefs

COKE AND PEPSI:

are taking a hit in India after Indian shopkeepers reported a plunge in sales of soft drinks following a growing scare that the beverages contained pesticides. The U.S. companies have rejected the findings.

FOX SPORTS NET AND NBC SPORTS: will make investments in the Association of Volleyball Professionals Pro Beach Tour. The two companies will retain a minority stake in the company and hold seats on the board of directors. Meanwhile, Fox Sports Net recently premiered a new weekly show covering pro volleyball called Dig.

THE NATIONAL DO-NOT-CALL REGISTRY: has registered 30 million telephone numbers as of Aug. 6. The Federal Trade Commission's registry opened June 27. Nearly 24 million, or 80% of the registrations have been made over the Internet and 6 million, or 20%, have been called in by phone. California leads with the greatest number of state registrations at 3.4 million, followed by Florida, 2.2 million and Texas with 2 million.

AMERICAN SKIING CO.: Portland, ME, tapped The VIA Group, also Portland, to handle marketing for its seven resorts in the East and West. The assignment follows the recent promotion of Chip Carey to senior VP-sales and marketing at American Skiing Co. First work breaks in August.