P&G Official Leads Popai Board
h, Procter & Gamble Co.'s manager of in-store presence, has been named Point of Purchase Advertising International's chairman for 2002-2003. Smith is Washington-based POPAI's first-ever board chairman from a brand marketer, rather than a point-of-purchase producer.
Other members of the board are William Kolb, chief executive officer, in-store marketing, Interpublic Group, New York, and Barbara Daugherty, national manager of customer marketing, Frito-Lay, Plano, Texas, treasurer.
Horizon Offers Organic Pudding
ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Horizon Organic Holding Corp. is planning strong marketing support for the launch of what it says is the first national organic brand of pudding. Trade discounts and in-store sampling are included.
Available in chocolate, vanilla and chocolate-vanilla swirl, the pudding will be sold in refrigerated dairy sections of natural food stores, specialty retailers and select supermarkets. It is available in four-packs at a suggested retail price of $2.99.
The pudding is made with 100% Horizon Organic Milk. It does not contain hydrogenated oils or vegetable fats.
Conagra Teams With Wolfgang Puck
OMAHA, Neb. -- ConAgra Foods has introduced wood-fired frozen pizzas in an alliance with celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck.
"Wolfgang has set the standard for innovative, gourmet pizza at his Spago restaurants. The challenge for ConAgra Foods was to establish a new level of quality and taste in frozen pizzas," said Bruce Rohde, chairman and CEO, ConAgra. "We believe they deliver the distinctive flavor that comes from an authentic, wood-fired oven, along with the unique flavor profile that Wolfgang has made famous, in a pizza you can cook in the comfort of your home."
The pizzas are available in supermarket freezers in 8- and 11-inch sizes. They come in six flavors, including Italian Sausage & Pepperoni with Barbecue Sauce, Barbecue Style Chicken and Spicy Grilled Chicken.
Suggested retail prices range from $6.49 to $8.99.
Schick Launches In-Pack Promo
MILFORD, Conn. -- Next month, a full-size, 2.2-ounce bottle of Sungirl glitter Sunscreen will be offered free in specially marked packages of Schick Silk Effects Plus Razors. The package will also include an opportunity to instantly win a 2003 VW New Beetle.
"We feel that offering Silk Effects Plus with Sungirl sunscreen is a good way to give consumers something of added value," said Linda Gilmore, brand manager, Women's Razor System, Schick, a division of Pfizer.
Lender's Gets New Look
ST. LOUIS -- Aurora Foods has improved its Lender's Bagels brand, including the addition of a new line called New York Style -- bagels that are about 65% bigger than traditional Lender's.
The brand is also undergoing labeling and packaging improvements.
The name of the current line of Lender's frozen bagels is being changed to "Original Recipe" and is being packed in a bright red bag. Lender's says the common bag color will provide stronger brand registration on the store shelf and make shopping easier for consumers.
New York Style will be packaged in yellow bags in seven flavors: Cinnamon Raisin, Blueberry, Honey Wheat, Egg, Cranberry Apple, Onion and Plain.
The company is changing the Lender's logo on its new red-and-yellow bags. According to the company, the new logo is more in keeping with the authenticity of the Lender's heritage and has significantly more shelf impact.
U.S. Plans Cigarette Restrictions
WASHINGTON -- The U.S. government is planning comprehensive new restrictions on the marketing, manufacturing and sale of cigarettes, including an end to trade promotions and slotting fees, according to a media report.
The government plans to ask a federal judge to restrict cigarette advertising to black-and-white ads, with half the space reserved for health warnings.
Among other new limitations, vending machine sales would be curtailed, and the tobacco companies would not be allowed to label cigarettes as "light," "low-tar" or "mild."
The tobacco companies are fighting the Justice Department's plan in court.
Eli Lilly Introduces Drug Card
INDIANAPOLIS -- Eli Lilly & Co. here yesterday became the latest major drugmaker to introduce a prescription discount card, offering uninsured, low-income seniors access to the company's drugs for a flat fee of $12 per month.
The National Association of Chain Drug Stores, Alexandria, Va., applauded the move, although it expressed concerns about the complexity of having to work with multiple cards.
The LillyAnswers Card, which pharmacists can begin accepting next month, follows drug cards by Pfizer, Novartis and GlaxoSmithKline.
Brands Join Earth Day Campaign
AUSTIN, Texas -- All Whole Foods stores, in partnership with four environment-friendly brands, will conduct an Earth Day promotion touting the use of natural products, according to sources close to the effort.
To help celebrate Earth Day, April 22, all store locations will display an endcap featuring products from Seventh Generation, Burlington, Vt.; Kiss My Face, Gardiner, N.Y.; Recycline, Somerville, Mass.; and Stonyfield Farm, Londonderry, N.H., according to Eric Hudson, president, Recycline.
Signs will be posted at each endcap promoting www.stonyfield.com, where consumers can download $30 worth of coupons from the brand partners and obtain information about environmental issues.
