Tom Pirko, one of the leading consultants in the global beverage business, told CEO Briefing that he expects a great run from Sparkling Ice. “They’ve found a niche and done a very good job of filling it,” said the president of Bevmark Consulting, based in Santa Ynez, Calif. “They’re also benefiting from a confluence of different trends—consumer reactions against carbonated soft drinks and sugar, and their self-identification with the esthetics of well-made products. Consumers think Sparkling Ice gives them a combination of all beverage types: the flavor and carbonation of a soft drink and no calories.”
Klock said that Talking Rain is “really bullish” on further growth for Sparkling Ice for a number of reasons. “So much more category opportunity is available to us,” for instance, he said, including convenience stores and food service.
He’s got other believers, including Wells Fargo Securities analyst Bonnie Herzog, who said recently that it “could be achievable” for Sparkling Ice to become a $1-billion brand by 2018 because of increased domestic distribution and brand extensions such as Sparkling Ice Tea.
While competitors haven’t yet gained much hold on American consumers, they are trying other tactics to slow down Klock. Nestlé Waters, for example, is arguing to regulators that the brand’s advertising is misleading because it is using “water” language to describe Sparkling Ice but the product doesn’t meet federal identity standards for “spring water” or “sparkling water.”
Klock is undeterred. “We have gone up against competitive threats already,” he said, “and we’re winning.”
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1:00 - 5:00 pm
Over 70% of Executives Surveyed Agree: Many Strategic Planning Efforts Lack Systematic Approach Tips for Enhancing Your Strategic Planning Process
Executives expressed frustration with their current strategic planning process. Issues include:
Steve Rutan and Denise Harrison have put together an afternoon workshop that will provide the tools you need to address these concerns. They have worked with hundreds of executives to develop a systematic approach that will enable your team to make better decisions during strategic planning. Steve and Denise will walk you through exercises for prioritizing your lists and steps that will reset and reinvigorate your process. This will be a hands-on workshop that will enable you to think about your business as you use the tools that are being presented. If you are ready for a Strategic Planning tune-up, select this workshop in your registration form. The additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.
2:00 - 5:00 pm
Female leaders face the same issues all leaders do, but they often face additional challenges too. In this peer session, we will facilitate a discussion of best practices and how to overcome common barriers to help women leaders be more effective within and outside their organizations.
Limited space available.
10:30 - 5:00 pm
General’s Retreat at Hermitage Golf Course
Sponsored by UBS
General’s Retreat, built in 1986 with architect Gary Roger Baird, has been voted the “Best Golf Course in Nashville” and is a “must play” when visiting the Nashville, Tennessee area. With the beautiful setting along the Cumberland River, golfers of all capabilities will thoroughly enjoy the golf, scenery and hospitality.
The golf outing fee includes transportation to and from the hotel, greens/cart fees, use of practice facilities, and boxed lunch. The bus will leave the hotel at 10:30 am for a noon shotgun start and return to the hotel after the cocktail reception following the completion of the round.
