A Thirst for Competition

IN A FOUR-CITY FAST BREAK, THE Coca-Cola Co. has made the first move, flooding thousands of stores in the Southern U.S. with cans and bottles, displays and posters, backed by a TV ad campaign, to introduce its newest product, PowerAde. It's a drink made for athletes and, in the words of a Coke spokesman, "anyone who works up a sweat." At PepsiCo, Inc., plans are well under way for a summer rollout of its new drink for jocks and those who aspire to be: All Sport. Other large companies are entering the fray with similar products -- Dr Pepper/Seven-Up with a...