Coke to Use "Green" Machines in 2010; McDonald's, 2010 FIFA Programs

Coca-Cola to Use 100 Percent Eco-Friendly Machines at 2010 Games

TOP Sponsor Coca-Cola will use all eco-friendly machines and coolers at the 2010 Vancouver Games in an effort to protect the climate, chairman of Coca-Cola, Muhtar Kent, said Thursday in a teleconference.

The hydrofluorocarbon-free (HFC-free) equipment will reduce the equipment’s direct greenhouse gas emission by 99 percent.

It will be the first zero carbon Games for Coca-Cola, which has committed to providing “greener” Games in Vancouver.

“In Beijing, we had over 5,000 pieces of equipment (HFC-free). In Torino, we had about 2,000,” Kent said. “But 100 percent of what we have in Vancouver is going to be with this technology.”

The campaign is the outcome of talks between Coca-Cola and the environmental global campaigning organization, Greenpeace.

Greenpeace protested Coca-Cola during the 2000 Sydney Olympics. The organization challenged Coca-Cola to use HFC-free equipment for future Games.

“Greenpeace has played a critical role in raising our awareness about the need for natural refrigeration. Our announcement today demonstrates a commitment to use our influence in the marketplace to drive innovation and help shape a low-carbon future,” Kent said.

Coca-Cola plans to have 50 percent of new vending machines and coolers around the globe HFC-free as early as 2012. It plans to have 100 percent HFC-free by 2015.

The company has invested about $50 million in the campaign so far. Kent said the company will do whatever it takes to achieve their goal of eliminating HFC in vending machines and coolers.

McDonald’s Release FIFA 2010 World Cup Programs

TOP sponsor and sponsor of the FIFA 2010 World Cup McDonald’s released its sponsorship programs for the South African tournament.

McDonald’s will give 1,408 children, ages 6-10, the chance to attend the FIFA World Cup and meet football legends through its Player Escort Program.

It also includes online games. McDonald’s will open a McCafe location next to the Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg.

“We’re committed to providing our customers with numerous ways to participate in the excitement and passion of FIFA World Cup South Africa,” McDonald’s spokeswoman Bridget Coffing said.

“From specially-themed menu items, packaging and restaurant promotions to innovative digital activities, community youth clinics and team sponsorships, our goal is to connect our customers like never before with FIFA World Cup.”

South African football star John “Shoes” Moshoeu and French football star Marcel Desailly were on hand to help launch the program on Wednesday.

U.S. Olympic Rights to Settle Before Comcast Deal

Cable giant Comcast is poised to take over control of NBC Universal, although the deal is not expected to become final before negotiations open in 2010 for the U.S. broadcast rights to the 2014 and 2016 Olympics.

Comcast and General Electric, parent of NBC Universal, have signed an agreement to form a joint venture that will be 51 percent owned by Comcast, 49 percent owned by GE and managed by Comcast.

NBC, which has broadcast the Summer Olympic Games in the United States since 1988 and the Winter Olympics since 2002, is expected to bid for the 2012/2014 Games when negotiations open after Vancouver.

But it could take up to a year for regulators and shareholders to approve the deal, meaning that NBC will still be backed by GE when it comes time to make a formal bid to the IOC for the rights, which are could exceed $1 billion.

Whether the pending deal with Comcast affects how much NBC will bid remains to be seen. So far Comcast has not made any public comment on its interest in the retaining the Olympics at NBC.

ESPN/ABC is expected to provide the stiffest competition for NBC, but all four major U.S. networks are believed to be interested in making bids for the Olympic rights.

Some critics believe the Comcast/NBC conglomerate will have too much power in the entertainment world because of its ability to join distribution with content.

Jeff Zucker, current president and CEO of NBCU, will be CEO of the new joint venture and will report to Comcast COO Steve Burke.

Comcast serves a quarter of all U.S. households that pay for TV. The cable company had agreed to partner with the U.S. Olympic Committee on a U.S. Olympic Network, but the future of that entity is unknown. The new venture will include Universal Sports and Versus, which already carry Olympic content, and the USOC still needs to iron out some issues with the International Olympic Committee over the proposed network.

Comcast said it would maintain free, over-the-air TV on NBC stations and will improve public interest programming. It also promised that NBC Universal shows that customers must pay for over its cable video-on-demand service will be free for three years after the deal closes.

According to a statement, "GE will contribute to the joint venture NBCU's businesses valued at $30 billion, including its cable networks, filmed entertainment, televised entertainment, theme parks, and unconsolidated investments, subject to $9.1 billion in debt to third party lenders. Comcast will contribute its cable networks including E!, Versus and the Golf Channel, its ten regional sports networks, and certain digital media properties, collectively valued at $7.25 billion, and make a payment to GE of approximately $6.5 billion of cash subject to certain adjustments based on various events between signing and closing."

Briefs…

…German Chancellor Angela Merkel pledges Germany will help Brazil stage the 2016 Olympics and 2014 World Cup. German-Brazilian trade is worth $27 billion; Germany is the largest European trading partner for Brazil. Brazil is expected to spend more than $300 billion on infrastructure for the games and German companies are hoping to secure some of those contracts.

…adidas unveiled the match ball that will be used for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The “Jabulani” has a South African inspired design with 11 colors representing 11 players on the teams, 11 official languages of South Africa and the 11 South African tribes. The isiZulu word, Jabulani, means “to celebrate”.

…Burton, the snowboard manufacturer, released the U.S. Snowboarding team uniforms for the 2010 Vancouver Olympics Thursday. The uniforms will include a red, white and blue jacket with a plaid design and denim jeans with faded coloring and small tears in the fabric for a worn look.

With reporting from Isia Reaves, Karen Rosen and Ed Hula III

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