News Briefs

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  PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORP.: Pittsburg, TX, has severed ties with ConAgra Corp. by repurchasing $482 million in Pilgrim’s Pride common stock held by ConAgra. Pilgrim’s Pride financed the repurchase by issuing $523 million in common stock to other investors. …

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  COTT CORP.’S: U.K. subsidiary, Cott Beverages Ltd., has acquired Macaw Ltd., the parent company of Macaw Soft Drinks Ltd. for about $135 million. The deal significantly expands Cott’s UK business and is expected to add about $100 million in annual …

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  SWEET SUCCESS: has signed a three-year promotion and licensing agreement with TV producer Mark Burnett to feature the nutritional, meal replacement beverage drink in product placement deals in a Burnett show this fall. One of the shows, which has yet to …

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  KRYSTAL RESTAURANTS: had upped the ante for its 2005 Krystal Square Off World Hamburger Eating Contest, offering a total cash purse of $22,500-an increase of $5,000 over last year. The QSR will also distribute cash payouts to all 15 contenders in the …

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  SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT: has been ordered to pay $1.5 million to settle a class-action lawsuit that accused the studio of citing a false Connecticut-based movie critic in ads for some of its films, according to news reports. As part of the …

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  EURO RSCG 4D: Chicago, hired Alan Steele to the new post of president of Euro RSCG Discovery North America, the agency’s research arm. Steele, who joined Euro RSCG in mid-July, will oversee information management strategies, customer analytics and …

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  TCBY: has opened a new quick-service restaurant, Yovana, designed to meet consumer demand for fresh, healthy food. Yovana, which translates into “pure yogurt Nirvana,” offers premium yogurt parfaits, smoothies and yogurt treats with fresh fruit and …

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  SOUTHWEST AIRLINES: has extended its sponsorship deal with the NBA and WNBA and will work with the basketball leagues on community outreach programs. The airline will also expand its Shoot For Hope campaign, which selects young people who are working to …

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  HERSHEY: has partnered with American Idol winner Carrie Underwood who will sing some of the company’s classic jingles in upcoming TV ads. Listen up for such oldies as “Sometimes you feel like a nut…sometimes you don’t” and others. DUNKIN’ DONUTS: has …

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  BY KIDS FOR KIDS CO.: has entered a global marketing partnership with Mattel, which allows the toymaker the right of first refusal for toy and game concepts invented by kid inventors the company represents. The goal of the partnership is to inspire and …