\Wong declined to comment when contacted. However according to sources, the 34-year old Singaporean will explore opportunities within the company, based in Singapore. “There’s no doubt Coke wants her to stay,” said one source. “She did an excellent job in Australia and New Zealand, which are two of Coke’s biggest markets in the region.”
During her two-year stint as South Pacific marketing manager, Wong first integrated the marketing units of all its bottled brands, and pitch agency alignments. She also spearheaded the Coca-Cola Company’s biggest - and most expensive - product launch in Australia, for Coke Zero. Prior to her Sydney-based role, Wong was regional marketing manager of Coca-Cola Asia-Pacific, including Japan, India and China, based in Hong Kong. Before that, she was country manager in Singapore, where she eschewed incumbent McCann-Erickson to work with BBH and M&C Saatchi.
Wong’s replacement in Sydney has yet to be announced, although Media understands that Coke will shortlist internally and make a decision by November.
Separately, Coca-Cola has launched several localised products across Asia-Pacific. In Malaysia and Singapore, the company introduced a date-based drink catering to Muslims who fast during the month of Ramadan. The drink, called Qurma, is based on an Islamic teaching which states that the daily fast should be broken with dates. As such, the drink includes date juice and nutritional supplements. Qurma will only be available during Ramadan and sold under Coca-Cola’s Minute Maid brand.
Meanwhile, in Japan, the beverage maker launched two variations of existing products. The first is a chestnut-flavoured milkshake for its popular milk brand, Qoo, targeting targets kids and health-conscious mothers. The other product is a limited edition tea drink for the Sokenbicha line, called Autumn Venus, part of a series of drinks targeting women.
In New Zealand, Coca-Cola recently debuted a low-calorie energy drink for women under the Tab label, the company’s original low-calorie cola brand.
Kenth Kaehorg, group communications director of Coca-Cola Pacific Group, declined to comment on the rollout of these drinks around Asia, citing competitive issues, but noted that the company launches several localised products every year.
