Xtra

3/11

New Jersey has charged a state resident with masterminding a coupon fraud scheme that netted $800,000. Meanwhile, eBay has restricted online auctions of coupons, and marketers are preparing for new coupon coding standards that take effect January 2005.

As expected, Pepsi-Cola has launched a mid-calorie version of its original cola, Pepsi Edge, which rolls out late this summer.

ConAgra Foods is running a $3 million Star Wars promotion for Chef Boyardee tied to the debut of the animated Star Wars: Clone Wars.

3/9

J.M. Smucker Co. will buy International Multifoods Corp. in a deal worth $840 million. Total marketing spending may exceed $100 million this year, with an estimated $25 million to $30 million earmarked for promotions.

McDonald's Corp. ran a $15 million make-good giveaway earlier this week as it continues to handle fallout from the 2001 McScandal.

Target Corp. plans to phase out its “smart card” technology this summer due to limited shopper use.

3/4

Procter & Gamble Co. has asked rival Frito-Lay to pull TV and print advertising that says consumers prefer Frito's Stax crisps to P&G's Pringles.

Belgium's Interbrew and Brazil's AmBev have agreed to combine in a complex stock deal worth $11.5 billion.

McDonald's is getting rid of its extra-large portions, phasing out Supersize fries and drinks.

A preliminary effort is underway to develop a response rate study for promotion tactics, headed by the Promotion Marketing Association.

3/2

McDonald's has renewed its sponsorship with the Olympics through 2012, giving it exclusive marketing rights in the restaurant and food service category.

California Sen. Debra Bowen (D-Redondo Beach) proposed legislation to set privacy standards for RFID technology.

The FTC has opened an inquiry into the telemarketing practices of Reader's Digest.

2/26

Kellogg Co. and Cartoon Network will break an estimated $3 million to $4 million back-to-school blitz in June that puts Cartoon Network characters on and in 100 million packages.

Cadbury Schweppes has tapped former YUM Restaurants International CMO Randy Gier to head marketing efforts for its Americas Beverages division.

2/24

MARS Advertising Co. suffered a fire late last week at its building in Southfield, MI, which forced hundreds of employees to relocate to a nearby temporary workspace. No one was hurt.

Kraft Foods will launch at least eight new products by July under its Health & Wellness umbrella and bow a coffeemaker. Marketing spending on new products could hit $350 million to $400 million.

The CEO and chairman of Coca-Cola Co. Doug Daft, 60, will retire at the end of the year.

Wal-Mart Stores has signed up 138 manufacturers and expects more to join its test of RFID tags beginning in January 2005.

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