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Illinois hoping softdrink war pays off big

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Illinois

Illinois hasn’t made much money off of naming rights, and while the state is stopping short of naming an “official” soft drink, like New York City did (and then raked in $166 million from Snapple), it is planning to give one of the top beverage makers exclusive access to state buildings.

In a move patterned after a plan already in place in New York City, state officials are seeking formal proposals to hire one company to supply nearly every government building with soft drinks and other beverages.

The results of the competition could put the folks at Coke or Pepsi in control of more than 2,300 vending machines in scores of state buildings, as well as give one company the right to sell its products at the Illinois State Fair and at a handful of state university campuses.

As with just about everything with this governor, the state’s deal with Maryland-based Team Services has been more press pop than reality. And there is also a political aspect.

A Team Services founder donated $4,000 to the governor and had a past business relationship with Blagojevich’s former chief of staff, Lon Monk, before he joined the administration in 2003.

The administration credits Team Services with helping generate $3.7 million for the state through private sponsorship deals. The state has paid the firm $300,000 for its services.

Last year, Team Services was cited in a harsh state audit for helping shape the state contract proposal it later wound up winning.

Coke or Pepsi?

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Dec 18, 06 @ 9:57 am

Comments

Why sell sponsorships on Illinois state police cars and IDOT trucks like race cars?
CONed could sponsor the State Senate and the Trial Lawyers could bring you the Illinois House.
This could be the real selling of the government and not the politicans.

Comment by decaturboy Monday, Dec 18, 06 @ 10:20 am
Coke! Banned in Schools! I would pay millions to place that on State properties.

Comment by Ali Bin Haddin Monday, Dec 18, 06 @ 10:39 am
Pepsi

Comment by Anon Monday, Dec 18, 06 @ 10:58 am
I’m a diehard Pepsi drinker. Pepsi it is.

Comment by Tessa Monday, Dec 18, 06 @ 11:06 am
So, the governor’s interest in health does not extend itself to state employees?

Drinking soda pop has been long associated with increased risk of diabetes and obesity, already significant problems in the state employee population. And we pay for their health insurance.

Here is a chance for AFSCME to do something useful and demand healtheir choices for government employees, along with the health-destorying Coke or Pepsi.

Comment by Cassandra Monday, Dec 18, 06 @ 11:16 am
Coke. Rooms full of coke machines.

Comment by diane Monday, Dec 18, 06 @ 11:16 am
7-up to go with the Seagram’s

Comment by independent downstater Monday, Dec 18, 06 @ 11:59 am
Ha… it would be funny if it were Sam’s choice or RC. I would die laughing!!!

Comment by Lovie's Leather Monday, Dec 18, 06 @ 12:00 pm
“Mountain Dew Senate Chambers” and “Coca Cola State Office Building” each has a nice ring to them. Hey, maybe Burger King in the capital cafeteria. But there better not be any fries or soda in those school lunch programs.

Comment by zatoichi Monday, Dec 18, 06 @ 12:28 pm
Considering this administration, it would have to be Kool-Aid.

Comment by Gregor Monday, Dec 18, 06 @ 12:59 pm
I like Diet Coke, but as usual, I’m left wondering if team Blago hasn’t missed some details.

First of all, it just seems flat out wrong to me to take away the small profits that many of the current visually impaired vendors are earning from their vending arrangements in State office buildings around the State so that Coke or Pepsi can make a few more bucks (and inflate Team Services’ finders’ fee.)

Further, I doubt that the State has considered any of the independent “pouring rights” agreements already in place at universities’ student unions and athletic departments. They figured out years ago the value of this franchise.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Monday, Dec 18, 06 @ 4:00 pm
Uh… I believe that Central State Bottling aka “Coke” has already bought the state fair grounds. Hence the reason Mr. Vose had to cover his permanent “Pepsi” signs.

Comment by Whizbang Tuesday, Dec 19, 06 @ 1:48 am
Coke.

I am glad that Gov. Hairbrush has come up with such an original and thoughtful plan to solve all of our problems. I suppose cutting all the hair brained election month programs is out of the question. Would $166 million cover the cost of putting the Hairbrush logo on every state building, overpass, state correspondence and road sign? Do new state hires have to get a Hairbrush tattoo?

Comment by Freezeup Tuesday, Dec 19, 06 @ 7:51 am
This is what we’re going to support as a State? I would hope that organized labor would have something to say to Blagojevich about this.

Comment by Squideshi Tuesday, Dec 19, 06 @ 9:17 am