Coca-Cola

Guest Post by: Jo Stratmann

Having already looked at the Facebook engagement and content strategy of two large rival consumer brands (Unilever’s AXE v P&G’s Old Spice) we thought it would be interesting to use social analytics tool Socialbakers to look at the engagement levels for another two rival consumer giants – Coca-Cola and Pepsi.

Coke reportedly took more than 6% of its UK ad budget last year and put it into social media campaigns. Sales across Europe declined 1%, though its take-home sales in the UK were up 8.3% (Britain's best-selling brand, according to The Grocer magazine).

Guest Post by: Jo Stratmann

The Grocer recently published its Top 100 advertisers report and showed that Coca-Cola cut ad spend by 6.6% in 2010 and invested more in social media.

A spokeswoman at Coca-Cola said that while TV is still an important medium from promoting their brands,”many of our recent advertising campaigns and promotions have also utilised online facilities such as Facebook and YouTube more”.

by: Jonathan Salem Baskin

Coca-Cola intends to buy between 10 and 20% of Innocent, which is the company that all but invented the idea of a "socially conscious, good-for-you fruit smoothie" in the UK.

I think it's a deviously brilliant move, but not for the reasons feted in the marketing media.

by: Idris Mootee

Let’s be happy is the global theme of the year. At least most of the ads will be trying to do that. It is starting with the Coca Cola launching a new marketing campaign with tagline "Open Happiness." Both Coke and Pepsi at the same time are launching big new campaigns and big marketing blitzes behind their flagship colas, we are seeing a Cola war in the making. Not a bad thing for this economy.

By: Stefan Kolle

by: Jonathan Salem Baskin

Last week, Pepsi announced almost a 10% decrease in its third-quarter income, and warned that the year wouldn't be as bubbly as once thought. Coke delivered better results, crediting its sales overseas (and favorable currency exchange rates). Both firms aren't convincingly happy about the outlook for 2009.

by: Idris Mootee

Here's a photo of us with our Fengshui consultant Paul Ng, he was working with our interior designer to maximize positive energy flow in our creative space. His analsyis was this new place is perfect for innovation. Nice to hear that since we've just signed a 5 year lease. A little bit of optimization work is needed, a waterfall or any other water scene on one of the walls on the East side of your office. This is more of standard practice. You can do that if you have a compass.

by: Ilya Vedrashko

All these people in A&F behind Obama - not a product placement.

Which brings up an old question: what's the effect of news photography on a brand?

by: Joel Makower