Coca-Cola to Launch 3 New Drinks





ST. LOUIS - Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc., the world's largest bottler, plans to launch three new drinks and improve its diet drink business next year.

During a Thursday conference call with analysts, President and Chief Executive Office John R. Alm said the new products are an energy drink called Full Throttle, additional Dasani water flavors, and an unnamed innovation in regular soft drinks that will be announced next year.


Chairman Lowry F. Kline also said the company sees "opportunities" in its portfolio of diet drinks. That will help the company address health and wellness trends in the market, he said.


Also Thursday, the Atlanta-based company said it expects 2004 earnings of $1.21 to $1.23 a share, or $1.26 to $1.28 a share excluding the effect of new concentrate prices in North America. Coca-Cola Enterprises buys concentrates for drinks from The Coca-Cola Co.


Analysts were expecting earnings of $1.28 a share, according to Thomson First Call.


"Regarding 2004, we obviously are not pleased," Kline told analysts.


New York Stock Exchange (news - web sites) listed Coca-Cola Enterprises shares traded midday Thursday at $21.39, up 30 cents, or 1.4 percent.


For 2005, the company said its expects earnings per share in the low to mid-$1.30s. Wall Street had forecast $1.38 a share.


"Next year we see opportunities," Kline said. "We believe we can effectively leverage and reposition our strong diet portfolio."


In Europe, the company will introduce Diet Coke with lime, expand Fanta Light flavors, and "improve consumer awareness of Diet Coke," Alm said.


Advertising in Europe will emphasize that Diet Coke has zero calories, he said, because more than 40 percent of consumers aren't aware of it.


Alm said the company expects operating income growth of 4 percent to 5 percent in 2005.


In North America, he said, the company expects volume growth of 1 percent and revenue growth per case of 4 percent.


In Europe, it estimates volume growth of 4 percent and revenue per case growth of 3 percent.


Kline said the company will benefit from "increased innovation and brand support" from Coca-Cola Co

oh byyyyy-rooooon...come out, come out, wherever you is...

They should sell pre-mixed cocktails in a can. Jack & Coke, Captain & Coke, and, I dunno, Bacardi & Coke, lol. I'd love to grab one of those from a vending machine while I'm on my way into a store.

Nothing they do can top Diet Coke


Smooches;)

Mach said:

Dasani I love the taste/slightly electrically chargedness of it!!

I absolutely hate diet coke. It's plain awful.

Oh yeah Byron....it's time again to remind you.....ALL THE FREE COKE I CAN DRINK AT WORK. FREE!!!!!

EskomoKisses said:

I like Dasani too. And I LOVE flavored waters. I wish my tap water could come in watermelon.

Tom said:

They sell those in nearly every grocery store in Britain.

Diet Coke is disgusting. I'm convinced that artificial sweteners give you cancer.

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

Right on. Gimme a fat boy coke RIGHT NOW!

BinaryJustin said:

any kinda diet soda's totally gross...have any of ya'll tried that 7up plus chit? i just about gagged on that stuff when i tried it...you could feel the cavities comin on, that's how sweet it is.


splenda

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

I get to drink it for 25 cents a can at work.
But I drink PEPSI INSTEAD!!!!

Handclapsfingasnapz said:

I was just thinking that ...wonder what these new drinks will taste like, tho?

1sexymf said:

yeah ... i dont like coke myself... dont drink much pop anyway but on the rare day i do ...its pepsi

Full Throtle. Hmm...I wonder if it'll be something like Jolt.

tackam said:

Fruit2O variety cases at Sam's club