Coke Zero, with zero calories, is already a big seller
for Coca-Cola. Now a version is coming with zero caffeine
as well. Caffeine Free Coke Zero will begin appearing on
shelves in supermarkets, drug stores and mass merchants
nationwide in mid-July, and will be available coast to coast
in August. It will be packaged in 12-packs of 12-ounce cans
and 2-liter bottles……A broadcast TV and cable campaign
for Avis by Leo Burnett Business enlists celebrities such
as Gabrielle Reece, Nigel Barker and Steve
Stricker to carry on the “It’s your space” theme
that replaced the “We try harder” tagline last year.
Ads running on tablets direct users to a game
where players “drive a mile” in the celebrities’
shoes……Anheuser-Busch InBev (ABI) has
struck a deal with the U.S. Department of Justice
to settle an antitrust lawsuit and move forward
with acquiring the remaining 50% of Mexican beer
giant Grupo Modelo for $20.1 billion. Under the
settlement, Constellation Brands will acquire
Modelo’s U.S. businesses for approximately
$4.75. The biggest brand involved is Corona, which will
be sold by Constellation in the U.S. while ABI expands it
as a global beer brand……McDonald’s is expecting April
to be another sluggish sales month after reporting that
first    quarter    same    store    sales    in    the    U.S.    declined    1.2%.
The fast-food giant has been focusing on discounting, with
its “dollar menu,” and has added some new items to its
non-discounted menu, but continues to have a tough time
luring custspending.