The eGG's weekly emailed newsletter, the eGG-Roll, contains updates of our many online publications and short articles on food news. For a free email subscription, write to eGGMail@[email-address-removed] and put the word SUBSCRIBE in the subject and body of the letter.
Excerpts from a recent issue...
Slices & Dices
little bits of food news...
This week's Ad Age was packed with foodie tidbits too good to pass up, hence:
Bullets & Big Mac, To Go
McDonald's global presence goes beyond the drive-up window, and now in a most unexpected way. The international burger-meister has signed a $200K contract to cater --- no, it's not a wedding, it's not a private affair, it's not a coronation—it's a war! Not exactly, but it could be so one day. McDonald's Estonia is contracted to feed the troops in a joint exercise between Estonia and Russia this September. Ad Age reports that "by a strange quirk of fate, the exercises will be held around Estonia's Lake Pepsi."
Food Industry News
It's Not The Size That Counts...
More McNews: In the best tradition of corporate Goliaths, McDonald's is suing a Lithuanian fast-food outlet—not a chain but a single restaurant—named McSmile Happyfood. A spokesperson for the megacorp said they are acting to protect their trademark, in which they invested "a lot of money" worldwide. The itty-bitty McSmile is owned by a Dutch company which says the use of the 'Mc' signifies the Scots' talent for "knowing a good deal and a good value....McDonald's is merely engaged in using its size to muscle local competitors out of the market." The little Lithuanian restaurant will be fighting back in court— and we don't think it's a Scottish one.
So who's next: the guy with the farm?—ee-eye-ee-eye -oh.
It's All In A Name, Part Deux
According to Advertising Age, beverage behemoth Coca Cola has terminated its signage and pouring partnership with Los Angeles Lakers' Great Western Forum. What did it take for Coke to give up such a huge promotional vehicle? One giant word: Shaq. Along with his contract to the Lakers, the newly transferred Shaquille O'Neal brings with him his own contract as Pepsi-Cola endorser. Win some, lose . . .
