Company Watch

• Nestle launches Ecodex for environmental analysis
  Nestle teamed with information technology company Selerant to develop Ecodex, which analyzes the environmental impact of the company's product lines. "The tool uses information specific to the food and beverage industry to provide rapid and accurate data that allows our product development teams to assess sustainability performance across multiple product lines," said Anne Roulin, head of sustainability for research and development. FoodNavigator (2/8)     

• Popcorn, Indiana signs on with "Biggest Loser"
  Popcorn-maker Popcorn, Indiana is marketing its FIT popcorn line in a one-year agreement with the NBC television show "The Biggest Loser." The snacks are approved by the show as part of a healthy lifestyle. Progressive Grocer (2/8)     

• Behind the scenes of a cereal launch
  It took only six months for Post Foods to develop and launch Honey Bunches of Oats Greek Honey Crunch after Target and Wal-Mart Stores expressed interest. As the technical difficulty of creating dried clumps of Greek yogurt was solved, marketers created packaging, and ad agency Upshot developed a television ad. Advertising Age (tiered subscription model) (2/11)     

• Bud Light Platinum now available in Canada
  Drinks Business Review (2/8)     

Trends

• Growth continues for probiotic and prebiotic yogurt
  Global sales of yogurt with probiotic or prebiotic cultures are expected to increase $1.7 billion this year, up 4% compared with 2012, even though the EU has not approved the health claim. Chobani Greek yogurt is leading U.S. growth; Yakult is the top brand in Asia-Pacific; and Danone Group's Activia is most popular in Latin America. NutraIngredients (2/8)     

• Consumers expected to stick with classic Valentine's Day gifts
  Valentine's Day sales are expected to rise 3.2% over 2012, according to IBISWorld, with consumers spending $134.08 on average, up from $133.99 last year. "Although overall spending will increase slightly, consumers are still watching their wallets, and spending on expensive items will suffer as a consequence," said analyst Lauren Setar. "Due to these trends, Valentine's Day purchases are expected to trend toward conventional gifts, giving candy and flowers an edge this year." Progressive Grocer (2/8)     

Advertising & Marketing

• Miracle Whip music video attracts talent mix
  Miracle Whip has created a two-minute music video modeled after benefit concerts, featuring stars including Susan Boyle, Wynonna Judd, the Village People, heavy-metal vocalist Don Dokken and hip-hop artist Chali 2na. "Year of a Million Mouths," available on YouTube and the brand's Facebook page, shows an original song urging consumers to try Miracle Whip. MediaPost Communications/Marketing Daily (2/8)     

• Trident account in the U.S. goes to Wieden+Kennedy
  Mondelez International has chosen Wieden+Kennedy to handle U.S. creative duties for its Trident gum brand. Responsibility for Trident outside of the U.S. will remain with Saatchi & Saatchi, with a Mondelez spokesperson explaining the shift from a global strategy by noting that gum is a "challenged category" in the U.S. Advertising Age (tiered subscription model) (2/8)     

Retail Spotlight

• 99 Ranch Market helps shoppers celebrate Chinese New Year
  Tawa Supermarket-owned 99 Ranch Market is celebrating Chinese New Year all month, with sales on items for celebration. California stores are also offering prepared meals, and the chain's three Texas locations have marked the holiday with cooking demonstrations, games and sales. Supermarket News (free registration) (2/8)     

Hot Topics

Top five news stories selected by GMA SmartBrief readers in the past week.

• Super Bowl blackout turns into viral gold for Oreo (BuzzFeed)

• Edible packaging and fermented food are among culinary trends (FoodNavigator)

• What's up next on the gluten-free menu? (SmartBrief/SmartBlog on Food & Beverage)

• Campaign notes benefits of canned food (MediaPost Communications)

• Unilever and Schick team up on Axe-branded razors (Advertising Age (tiered subscription model))

• Results based on number of times each story was clicked by readers.

Health & Wellness

• Balanced eating can help with energy and mood, RD says
  A balanced approach to eating throughout the day keeps blood sugars steady, provides energy and helps with mood, says registered dietitian Bethany Thayer. Foods that increase levels of serotonin, which regulates mood, include lean proteins, healthy grains and sources of selenium, such as nuts. WDIV-TV (Detroit) (2/8)     

GMA News

• Last week to register for Litigation Conference -- don’t wait!
  In just one week, GMA will bring together in-house counsel, outside defense counsel and employees dealing with litigation in the food, beverage and CPG industry for the GMA Litigation Conference on Feb. 19-21, in Miami.

  During this conference, learn how top in-house and outside counsel in food, beverage and CPG are dealing with current litigation issues such as labeling, class action lawsuits, recalls, foodborne illness outbreaks, valuating settlements and more. View the full program.

  At the only legal event built by the food, beverage and consumer products industry for the food, beverage and consumer products industry, join your peers to discover the latest insights and tools that are driving successful litigation, product liability and claims strategies. View the attendee list.

  Only one week left -- Register today.

      

Government & Food Safety

• White House memo notes sequester's effects on food safety
  A memorandum issued by the White House states that food safety will be at risk if Congress allows sequestration to start March 1. "These reductions could increase the number and severity of safety incidents, and the public could suffer more foodborne illness," according to the White House. FoodSafetyNews.com (2/11)     

Position Title Company Name Location Sales Associate (Consumer Products) West Appleton, WI Director, State Affairs Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) Washington, DC Senior Manager, Health and Nutrition Policy Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) Washington, DC Ghirardelli Chocolate Company Food Technologist San Leandro, CA Senior Vice President, Development WETA Arlington, VA

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SmartQuote

The only man I know who behaves sensibly is my tailor; he takes my measurements anew each time he sees me. ... The rest go on with their old measurements and expect me to fit them." --George Bernard Shaw, Irish playwright