Group 1 - Coca-Cola has lost a significant court case, resulting in the company no longer having access to Dr. Pepper in certain markets, which is the second-best-selling soda brand [4][6] - The Texas court ruling allows Keurig Dr Pepper to take full control of its distribution, impacting Coca-Cola's supply chain and access to Dr. Pepper in venues and restaurants [4][5] - Sprite remains the dominant player in the lemon-lime soda market, while PepsiCo's attempts to compete have not been successful, with its brands lagging far behind [1][3] Group 2 - PepsiCo has a history of launching various lemon-lime sodas to compete with Sprite, including Teem and Sierra Mist, but these brands have struggled to gain market traction [7] - In 2023, PepsiCo discontinued Sierra Mist and introduced a new brand, Starry, targeting Gen Z with a modern flavor profile and branding [7]

Core Insights - The modern production demands driven by social media platforms like TikTok are prompting organizations to reconsider their approach to third-party marketing services partnerships, moving away from an all-or-nothing strategy [1] Group 1: PepsiCo's Marketing Strategy - PepsiCo has expanded its long-term partnership with VaynerMedia by integrating the agency more closely with its internal teams to enhance agility and cultural relevance for its beverage brands [2] - The relationship between PepsiCo and VaynerMedia is characterized as "co-sourcing," which emphasizes shared business KPIs and streamlined processes to improve speed and efficiency [2][3] - PepsiCo acknowledges the challenges of navigating social media marketing, recognizing its importance for engaging consumers and driving sales [3] Group 2: Marketing Dynamics - The Chief Marketing Officer of PepsiCo Beverages U.S. highlighted the need for agility and creative flexibility in response to the fast-moving nature of social media marketing [4] - Success in modern marketing is increasingly influenced by platform algorithms, necessitating expertise in creating content that resonates with audiences [5] - VaynerMedia emphasizes that effective content will gain traction based on its merit rather than solely on media spending, suggesting a shift in how marketing effectiveness is evaluated [5][6]