This image released by Disney shows, from left, Duke Weselton, voiced by Alan Tudyk, Anna, voiced by Kristen Bell, and Elsa the Snow Queen, voiced by Idina Menzel, in a scene from the animated feature "Frozen." (AP Photo/Disney)
LOS ANGELES (AP) --
"Frozen" favorites Anna, Elsa, and Olaf are headed back to the big screen in a new short film.
Walt Disney Animation Studios announced Wednesday it plans to show "Frozen Fever" in front of the live-action "Cinderella" that opens in theaters March 13.
The short reunites the Oscar-winning directing team from "Frozen": Jennifer Lee and Chris Buck. It will tell the story of Elsa and Kristoff's attempt to plan a birthday party for Anna.
"Frozen" is the fifth-highest grossing film of all time, with over $1.27 billion worldwide, and it continues to resonate with audiences.
Disney has had massive success with live-action updates of its animated classics, including 2014's "Maleficent." But the promise of a "Frozen" short with "Cinderella" will likely prove to be icing on their fairy tale cake.
Pepsi soft drinks in plastic bottles are on sale at a grocery store in New York on Weds., Nov. 15, 2023. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey, File)
PepsiCo confirmed Friday that it's ending some of its diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, even as rival Coca-Cola voiced support for its own inclusion efforts.
In a memo sent to employees, PepsiCo CEO Ramon Laguarta said the company will no longer set goals for minority representation in its managerial roles or supplier base. The company will also align its sponsorships to events and groups that promote business growth, he said.
Laguarta wrote that inclusion remains important to PepsiCo, whose brands include Gatorade, Lay's potato chips, Doritos, Mountain Dew as well as Pepsi. The Purchase, New York-based company's chief diversity officer will transition to a broader role focused on employee engagement, leadership development and ensuring an inclusive culture, he said.
Since President Donald Trump returned to the White House last month, U.S. government agencies, companies and schools have rushed to reevaluate policies and programs they adopted with the goal of reducing discrimination against members of minority groups, women and LGBTQ+ people.
Trump ended DEI programs within the federal government and has warned schools to end DEI programs or risk losing federal money.
PepsiCo's rollback came as Coca-Cola reaffirmed support for its DEI efforts.
In its annual report, Atlanta-based Coke warned that its business could be negatively affected if it is unable to attract employees that reflect its broad range of customers.
"Failure to maintain a corporate culture that fosters innovation, collaboration and inclusion โฆ could disrupt our operations and adversely affect our business and our future success," the company said.
Coca-Cola has set a goal of having women in 50% of its senior leadership roles by... Read More
