LOCAL BRIEFS: Business will go on, jeweler says

Shane Co., the jewelry retailer that operates four stores in metro Atlanta, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, saying the business suffered a disappointing holiday season.

The company said it plans to continue business without interruption while it executes a restructuring plan. The metro area stores are in Alpharetta, Duluth, Kennesaw and Morrow.

The Colorado-based company is known for the distinctive radio ads and the tagline “Now, you have a friend in the diamond business,” delivered by CEO Tom Shane.

The company filed paperwork late Monday in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Denver and asked to be able to continue paying its 542 employees in stores in 14 states, including two stores in Colorado. The court filings show the company has between $100 million to $500 million in estimated assets and liabilities.

—- Staff, wire report

New Coke ads debut tonight

Coca-Cola Co. will debut a new set of Coke Zero commercials during tonight’s “American Idol,” the second episode of the season for the popular Fox reality show. The advertisements continue a campaign featuring Coke brand managers who accuse Coke Zero of stealing Coke’s taste. In one of the commercials, the Coke brand managers provide their own exhibit to visitors at the World of Coca-Cola in downtown Atlanta. In another commercial, Matt, the bald-headed Coke brand manager, betrays his colleague by drinking a Coke Zero at the office.

—- Joe Guy Collier

Lewis new leader for beverage firm

Alison Lewis has been named president and general manager of Odwalla, a natural health beverage company owned by Atlanta-based Coca-Cola Co. The move, announced Tuesday in a memo, takes effect Feb. 1. Lewis, who joined Coca-Cola in 1996, was most recently responsible for managing bottler sales and marketing and commercial leadership.

—- Joe Guy Collier

Dallas exec gets position at Delta

Delta Air Lines has named Edward Stewart as its new managing director of external communications effective Feb. 2. Stewart will report to Delta’s new senior vice president and chief communications officer Ned Walker. Stewart is currently senior vice president in the Dallas office of public relations firm Fleishman-Hillard. He also has served as vice president of corporate communications at Ticketmaster in West Hollywood, Calif., and senior director of public relations at Southwest Airlines. He also worked at American Airlines.

—- Kelly Yamanouchi

AirTran selects new in-flight tea

AirTran Airways announced that it has selected Fortnum & Mason Royal Blend tea as its new in-flight tea. AirTran will serve caffeinated and decaf versions of the British tea, which combines Assam and Ceylon teas for a “honey-like flavor.”

—- Kelly Yamanouchi