The Southeastern Vending Association (SEVA) is seeking applicants for the Alan Plaisted Scholarship Fund, which was set up by SEVA in 2009 to honor the memory of longtime SEVA and GAMC member Alan Plaisted and to further the educational opportunities for SEVA state members. The fund is offering an all expenses paid scholarship to the 2011 NAMA Executive Development Program (EDP), which will be held Oct. 23 to 27 at Michigan State University. The scholarship winner will receive one seat to the EDP valued at $2,975, plus lodging and travel expenses. To be eligible for the scholarship, a person must be a current full-time employee of a NAMA member company in one of the six SEVA states (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee) and must be a current member of those states’ vending associations. application deadline is July 15. For additional information or to request an application, contact Kim Radulski at [email protected].
"Dublin Dr Pepper" undermines the integrity of the Dr Pepper trademark, creates a misconception among consumers that the product is different from other Dr Pepper made with cane sugar and is unfair to bottlers who have the exclusive rights to sell Dr Pepper in bottles and cans to consumers in their territories.
The company has tried in good faith to resolve these issues directly with the Dublin bottler, providing new packaging graphics that are consistent with Dr Pepper brand standards and guidelines. But the bottler's continued refusal to sell only within its territory and its unwillingness to end the unauthorized use of the term "Dublin Dr Pepper" unless it is compensated have left DPS no other option but to pursue legal remedies.
"We highly value all of our bottlers, including Dublin, and taking them to court is a difficult decision that we have tried to avoid," said Johnston.
DPS is not currently seeking financial damages with the lawsuit. It is simply asking the court to require Dr Pepper Bottling Co. of Dublin to honor the terms of its license agreement or forfeit its license.
The Dublin bottler could continue to produce Dr Pepper with cane sugar, but only in approved packaging and only in its assigned territory. Dr Pepper made with cane sugar is also available through other bottlers in many Texas markets, including Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, Waco and Temple, as well as in parts of North Carolina.
