Will Going Red Keep Coca Cola in the Black

The Coca Cola Company continues to foster their long-term committment to China in a 3 year, $2 Billion investment plan.  Coca Cola has viewed China as one of the world's largest and fastest growing beverage markets.  Recently, the Coca-Cola Company and its bottling partner, COFCO Coca-Cola Beverages Ltd., continued their expansion in China by opening two new bottling facilities in less developed central and western China.  Following the two new additions, Coca Cola will operate 38 bottling plants in China.

http://www.thecoca-colacompany.com/presscenter/nr_20090624_two_plant_openings_in_china.html

Power through Integration

More amazing than the products themselves is the Coca Cola Company's distribution system.  The Coca Cola Company pursues forward integration by purchasing distributors, making strategic allinces with distributors, and selling soft drink syrup to retailers.  Most recently Coca Cola signed an agreement with Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Inc. to distribute certain DPS brands.
http://www.thecoca-colacompany.com/presscenter/nr_20100603_snapple.html

And the Differentiation Continues...

What beeter company can represent the broad differentiation strategy than Coca Cola.  Since its beginning, Coke has diversified into many products.  It began in 1960 when they acquired Minute Maid Corpoation, a producer of fruit drinks.  It also merged with Duncan Foods Corporation, bought the Belmont Springs Water Company Inc. which produces bottled spring water, acquired Aqua Chem Inc and Taylor Wines Company, just to name a few. The Coca Cola Company also expanded its product line by producing Fanta, Sprite, TAB, Fresca and diet colas.

Coke Culture: When a strength becomes a weakness

Coca Cola may be considered one of the greatest brands.  Former CEO Neville Isdell once said "the specialness of Coca-Cola permeates the company and is part of the very positive elements of the culture."  Coca Cola has a tremendous reach, with an excellent manufacturing and distribution system.  However, much like many other companies, Coca Cola was forced to lay off workers during the economic downturn.  Many employees looked at Coke as lifetime employment and feel their trust has been broken.

http://www.beverage-digest.com/editorial/041008.php

Coke Zero Turns Five!!!

The Coca Cola Company has numerous reasons to celebrate the success of Coke Zero.  The product turns five this year.  Since its release in 2005, the company has targeted young adults through humorous commercials and through the use of social media networks.  Building off the popularity of their commercials, the Coca Cola Company developed the Coke Zero Facial Profiler, a Facebook application that allows users to find their look-alikes using face-detection software.  Coke Zero is one of few brands to surpass one percent market share and the only one to maintain it.

http://www.thecoca-colacompany.com/presscenter/nr_20100920_zero.html

Coca Cola Eyeing Health Conscious Consumers

The Coca Cola Company's product, Odwalla, is about to introduce a heart healthy beverage that contains 0.4g of plant sterols per 8 fl oz serving.  Coca Cola has already ventured into healthy beverages.  Perhaps they see a trend or shift in consumer preference to healthier drinks.  On the other hand, they could be making sure they have all areas of bottled beverage covered.  When will they venture into beer?

Coca Cola is Sinful?

Rumors have been flying around for about a year about the possibility of taxing soft drinks with a "sin tax."  While Coca Cola as well as consumers who will ultimately pay more for consumption see this as a threat,  the government has found an opportunity to raise funds and potentially reduce health costs as a result of obesity.  Th only opportunity I see for Coca Cola is if they sell more diet drinks and bottled waters because they are not bad for you.