PepsiCo (CSR, Promotions, Marketing)

HISTORY-Pepsi first came about in the late 1890's when it was founded by Caleb Bradham in North Carolina.  In 1919 The Pepsi- Cola Company became incorporated. The company went bankrupt by the 1940's, but the recipe remained in tact, and Pepsi was then owned by Loft. Loft was a candy manufacturer and a restaurant chain.  Loft rebranded in the 1960s and teamed up with The Frito Lay Co to create what we know as today as The PepsiCo, Inc. PepsiCo became incorporated in the state of Delaware, and based it's headquarters in Manhattan, which eventually moved to  it's current location, Purchase, New York. 

ABOUT- Based on net revenue, PepsiCo is known as the number one mega- food and beverage corporation in North America. PepsiCo not only owns Pepsi-Cola and Frito- Lay, but it has recently acquired Gatorade, Quaker Oats and Tropicana. These are tremendous organizations! PepsiCo rakes in an average of 43 billion dollars annually, making the organization the second largest food and beverage company in the world.  (Below is an assortment of PepsiCo products.  Did you know all of these products were produced by Pepsi- Frito?)

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY -  PepsiCO is obviously committed to being successful and making great profits, but they are also very in touch with their responsibilities to society and to the environment. They have a new campaign out now called, "Performance with a Purpose."  Pepsi has gotten in touch with some healthy alternatives by partnering with Tropicana and Quaker Oates.  The organization is now transforming it's portfolio to offer refreshments as well as nutrition to the consumers (Taking out sodiums and fats and adding more whole grain and fibers). PepsiCo is also adding fruits, nuts and vegetables along with vitamins and minerals to many of their beverages (SoBe).  This is an international initiative, that will have roots in The United Kingdom, Mexico and Asia.

Pepsico Web Site

The organization is very interested in creating a better environment. They are increasingly working harder to reduce their impact on the environment. PepsiCo is more aware now about climate change, packaging and water.  Specific objectives have been set, and have been reached  earlier than expected which is great!  Specifically, in producing potato chips, the organization has created ways to re-use and produce water more efficiently. Over the last eight years, the potato crisp sector has reduced it's water use by 42%. If you put that into perspective, it is the equivalent of 350 olympic sized swimming pools.

Those are just a few of the ways PepsiCo is pitching in to help our society. (Below is a video concerning PepsiCo's newest campaign) Check it out!

In 2011, The Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) presented their coveted Public Relations Professional of the year award to the Pepsi Communications team.  The Pepsi team spearheaded an incredible initiative that reached millions of people through social media,  and both local and national media.  Pepsi's PR team is doing great work and I look forward to following the organization throughout the semester.