At Least PepsiCo Can Spoon With Gov. Cuomo, if not Bloomberg, in New York

The need for jobs in a job-starved America can create some interesting political dynamics. Witness how New York Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo is going out of his way today to praise practically every other politician in the state for having anything to do with bringing new PepsiCo jobs in yogurt-making to upstate — and implicitly thumbling his nose at New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who has put PepsiCo on the Most Wanted list with his proposed big-soda ban.

"This is a new New York State, partnering with the private sector to create jobs and grow new industries," Cuomo said in a PepsiCo press release today. He's been notably lauded even by some Republicans for making economic development (tagline: "New York - Open for Business") a priority of his administration, including a high-profile TV campaign promoting economic investments in New York State, with not only PepsiCo but Fage bringing their yogurt works to upstate New York.

The commitment by PepsiCo and its Germany-based partner, Theo Muller Group, to construct a new plant for their yogurt-making joint venture in Batavia, N.Y., the governor continued, "sends a message to businesses across the country and around the world that New York State is a place where businesses can thrive. We applaud PepsiCo and its leadership and the management team of Theo Muller Group."

No doubt Bloomberg was not among those standing up to applaud Cuomo's remarks, considering the tough opposition he is getting to his soda siphoning from PepsiCo, Coca-Cola and other beverage makers.

However it fares in the beverage industry's pitched battle against the forces of Bloomberg, PepsiCo is very optimistic about its entry into the growing U.S. yogurt market with its own proprietary new products under a Muller brand whose various new sub-brands are just hitting stores in the Northeastern U.S.

"Both organizations are committed to investing in the opportunity to make it as successful as possible," Scott Gilmore, PepsiCo spokesman, told brandchannel. Muller brings "innovative, category-leading products and technology" to the partnership as well as "best-in-class manufacturing engineering" and other strengths.

What does PepsiCo bring? "Its deep understanding of the U.S. consumer, marketing expertise, and excellent go-to-market capabilities." And, of course, that special relationship with Gov. Cuomo.

[Image at top: A photo from the Muller Quaker manufacturing facility opening in Bavaria, NY today]