Heartland Coca-Cola Bottling Co.

GNC will be leveraging Dunnhumby’s customer-centricity solutions across all facets of its marketing to more effectively segment and engage with in-store and online customers. This will include personalized communications and offers to shoppers through both online and offline channels.

By Todd Maute, [email protected]

International Dispensing Corporation, a packaging research and development company that specializes and manufactures game-changing innovations for the food and beverage industry, has promoted Tom Shaver to COO.

New York -- Apple is the most valuable brand in the world, replacing Coca-Cola, which held the top position for 13 years, according to an annual study by brand consultancy Interbrand.
 
Apple’s brand value jumped 28% to $98.3 billion, followed by Google, with a brand value of $93.3 billion. Coca-Cola, which has held the top spot since Interbrand issued its first Best Global Brands report in 2000, fell to third place, at $79.2 billion. (The top 25 brands are ranked below.)
     

Leading outdoor brand Patagonia named former Nike, Coca-Cola and Johnson & Johnson marketing executive Joy Howard as its new VP of marketing.

Howard joined Patagonia’s marketing team effective September 23 and will lead the development and execution of global marketing across all sales channels and communication platforms for Patagonia, as well as for the wider portfolio of Patagonia initiatives in food and media, and new brand extensions.

Dunnhumby, a leading customer science company, has launched Dunnhumby Ventures, a seed-stage investment fund focusing on innovations in retail technology. 

Dunnhumby Ventures will serve as a support mechanism for innovators, helping to fund startup businesses that are embracing data for innovations along the consumer’s path to purchase. Dunnhumby Ventures will also provide strategic input and mentorship. Average initial investments will range from $100,000 to $500,000.

Southern retailer Belk drew in nearly 220,000 registrants through daily prizes and giveaways in its “Belk’s 125 Days of Prizes” campaign. 

Belk partnered with mobile, social and digital engagement provider ePrize to power the sweepstakes across a microsite, Facebook and mobile channels. The multichannel campaign, which aimed to promote Belk’s 125th anniversary and to increase consumer engagement with the brand, exceeded Belk’s expectations for engagement across digital channels.

The Coca-Cola Bottlers’ Association is turning 100. To mark the centennial, Bart Gobeil, chief operating officer in Georgia, will present a commendation to the association on behalf of Georgia Governor Nathan Deal, recognizing the impact that CCBA has made in supporting the local communities in which its members operate.