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Analyze each company’s history, product / services, major customers, major suppliers, and leadership and provide a synopsis of each company. Pepsi-Cola began as a drink developed by a pharmacist named Caleb Bradham in his drugstore in 1893. The soft drink was made to be a tonic to aid in digestion and as a refreshing drink that gives an energy boost. This concoction made of pepsin and kola nuts was originally called “Brad’s Drink” named after its inventor, but was later changed to Pepsi-Cola to be more marketable. Originally, this beverage was sold in drug stores and at soda fountains, but was later sold in bottled form to facilitate mass distribution. The Great Depression was a major setback for many American companies and there was no exception for Pepsi. However, the company strived to remain strong and offered its product for five cents in the mid thirties while touting that their product offered twice as much for half the price of Coke’s product. During this time their ad campaigns and marketing tactics worked and their company continued to remain profitable despite a harsh economic climate. Pepsi marketed its products to virtually everyone, young and old, but they often utilized creative marketing tactics to entice new customers to try their products. In the mid 1940’s Pepsi began a marketing campaign to gain more popularity with African American customers whom the company decided where not getting adequate attention with regards to marketing and advertising. PepsiCo today now has interests in many different brands and product lines. Some of their most notable brands familiar to consumers today are Pepsi-Cola, Frito-Lays, SoBe, Tostitos, Sabra, Near East, Pasta Roni, Sun Chips, Cheetos, Quaker, Doritos, Sierra Mist, and Dole to name a few. There is an even more diverse product portfolio that includes products marketed to international consumers to suit their individual tastes. The major suppliers for Pepsi-Cola Company include packaging

References: Bellis, M. (2012). The history of Pepsi Cola Caleb Bradham. Retrieved from http://inventors.about.com Merced, M. (2010). Coke confirms purchase of a bottling unit. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com n.a. (2012). Coca cola stock price on October 29, 1929by worst stock market crashes. Retrieved from http://www.worststockmarketcrashes.com n.a. (2012). PepsiCo completes tansformative bottling acquisitions. Retrieved from http://www.pepsico.com n.a. (2010). Merger arbitrage: merger analysis: Pepsi’s acquisition of its bottlers. Retrieved from http://www.merger-arbitrage-investing.com n.a. (2012). The Coca Cola system. Retrieved from http://www.coca-colacompany.com