Coca-Cola just wants to Open Happiness around the world, in keeping with its ongoing marketing theme, including rolling out a Valentine's Day video this week that was shot in New Zealand to thank its multitude of fans. It's just that global consumers haven't been as happy lately to open a Coke.

A slowdown in sales in Europe and China joined essentially stagnant sales in the United States to undermine Coke's fourth-quarter results. Global sales volume rose just three percent even as the beverage giant's earnings rose by 13 percent during the period.

Ongoing struggles in Europe were a main drag, with volume falling by five percent. Even sales in China, another key market, fell by four percent as Chinese consumers increasingly feel crimped. Meanwhile, the U.S., pushing an anemic economic recovery, yielded just a one percent sales gain during the quarter, though CEO Muhtar Kent said on Tuesday's earnings call that the American market "could get better."Continue reading...

The relaunching of Vitaminwater in the U.K. relies on the confluence of two big developments: the growth of the Vitaminwater brand in what has become an important new market, and the rise of stevia-based beverages in Europe.

Glaceau is introducing fresh and more nutritionally informative new packaging for Vitaminwater in the U.K. and a new formula including stevia sweetener that cuts calories by 30 and reduces sugar levels by 30 percent. The company also is altering its nutrient blend in some varieties as well, boosting vitamins and minerals. 

"Being able to keep the products tasting great, but with fewer calories and introducing" stevia and more nutrients "is a fantastic step," Philippa Classey, a marketing manager for Vitaminwater, said in a Glaceau press release.

Stevia — the super-sweet extract of a bush native to South America — has been slower to penetrate the European beverage market than the U.S. in part because European regulators were slower to approve the low-calorie ingredient. But major beverage makers also including PepsiCo lately have been ramping up their use of the natural sweetener there.Continue reading...

KFC degrees now an educational option in the UK.

NBC Universal says Olympics ad sales reach $1 billion.

Roku raises $45M from News Corp. and others.

Alcatel-Lucent to slash jobs after loss.

Amazon and Apple heat up their war on multiple fronts.

Boeing improves forecast.Continue reading...

Under industry-wide assault for selling sugar water, Coca-Cola is looking even harder at new types of alternative "better-for-you" beverage categories. That's why it has agreed to distribute a dairy-based "sports recovery" beverage called Core Power.

The "natural high-protein milkshake" by Fair Oaks Farms Brands is endorsed by triathletes and is part of an exploding category of beverages that are said to boost performance during workouts and muscle recovery afterward. The players range from startups such as Core Power, to chocolate milks that have been enhanced, to new products in PepsiCo's Gatorade lineup that were specifically developed for post-workout recovery.

In a world teeming with ever more obese people, and aging populations in many of the most important geographic markets, does it really make sense to think that there will be enough dedicated athletes and workout warriors to slake up this proliferation of new beverages, including Core Power?Continue reading...

Kiip (pronounced "keep") has opened a new mobile doorway for advertisers to reward gamers. The premise underlying the seven month-old start-up: beat a level or get a high score and Kiip sends you free food and goods from brand partners for games you’re already playing. It's like Vegas for gaming high-rollers! Without the Vegas or high-roller part.Continue reading...

Trade shows that cater to product manufacturers and retailers are often good places to watch for trends in consumer marketing. The National Association of Convenience Stores annual trade show, which was held last week, is traditionally a venue for the introduction of new packaged goods products, because convenience stores depend on such items for their profits.

If this year's show is any indication, it looks like consumer products will continue to trend towards healthier and environmentally-sensitive offerings. For example, Powerade, which competes with Gatorade, is entering a new category next year with "Powerade Protein Milk," available in chocolate, vanilla and strawberry. This new low-fat milk beverage will "support rapid muscle recovery" and go head-to-head with Muscle Milk (which, curiously, doesn't contain milk).

Vitaminwater, meanwhile, is preparing to launch Vitaminwater stur-D, another in its ever-growing line of products, which now has over 10 different flavors, all related to one health benefit or another. Vitaminwater's new product, hitting the market late this year, will offer support for healthy bones and joints.Continue reading...

Gemvara turns consumers into jewelry designers. [TechCrunch]

Design products with the help of Quirky.com. [Daily Finance]

Google is doing well enough to hire more employees. [Mediaweek]

Bed Bath & Beyond surprises with high sales. [Daily Finance]

Fashion brand Diesel has restructured and divided. [WWD]

Vitaminwater, Polaroid promote on 'Gossip Girl.' [Adweek]Continue reading...

Rolls-Royce adds to its image with the new Ghost. [CNN Money]

Airlines are getting better at fixing flight issues. [NY Times]

Vitaminwater promotions now target heavy drinkers. [WSJ]

Pantene launched a questionable new contest. [BrandFreak]