Alfred Nu Steele
Encyclopedia
Alfred Nu Steele was a U.S. soft drink
businessman. He graduated from Northwestern University
in 1923, where he played football, and became an ad executive. He first worked for the Coca-Cola Company, as vice president of marketing. He later became the CEO of the Pepsi-Cola Company
in 1949. Under his management, sales tripled between 1955–1957. He reduced the sugar content of the sodas and introduced Pepsi products to third world countries. He worked for Pepsi
until his death from a heart attack in April 1959. He was the 4th and last husband of actress Joan Crawford
(married May 10, 1955 in Las Vegas). Herbert L. Barnet, Steele's handpicked successor as chairman and CEO, appointed her to the Board of Directors
. In Joan Crawford
's later career, product placement
for Pepsi
can be seen in several films, including Strait-Jacket
(1964) and Berserk!
(1967) Crawford would remain on the Board of Directors of Pepsi-Cola Company until her forced retirement in 1973. The two had their ashes interred in a crypt together upon Crawford's death in 1977. They are interred in Ferncliff Cemetery
in Hartsdale, New York
. His crypt marker incorrectly lists his middle initial as "M" for no explained reason.
Soft drink
A soft drink is a non-alcoholic beverage that typically contains water , a sweetener, and a flavoring agent...
businessman. He graduated from Northwestern University
Northwestern University
Northwestern University is a private research university in Evanston and Chicago, Illinois, USA. Northwestern has eleven undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools offering 124 undergraduate degrees and 145 graduate and professional degrees....
in 1923, where he played football, and became an ad executive. He first worked for the Coca-Cola Company, as vice president of marketing. He later became the CEO of the Pepsi-Cola Company
PepsiCo
PepsiCo Inc. is an American multinational corporation headquartered in Purchase, New York, United States, with interests in the manufacturing, marketing and distribution of grain-based snack foods, beverages, and other products. PepsiCo was formed in 1965 with the merger of the Pepsi-Cola Company...
in 1949. Under his management, sales tripled between 1955–1957. He reduced the sugar content of the sodas and introduced Pepsi products to third world countries. He worked for Pepsi
PepsiCo
PepsiCo Inc. is an American multinational corporation headquartered in Purchase, New York, United States, with interests in the manufacturing, marketing and distribution of grain-based snack foods, beverages, and other products. PepsiCo was formed in 1965 with the merger of the Pepsi-Cola Company...
until his death from a heart attack in April 1959. He was the 4th and last husband of actress Joan Crawford
Joan Crawford
Joan Crawford , born Lucille Fay LeSueur, was an American actress in film, television and theatre....
(married May 10, 1955 in Las Vegas). Herbert L. Barnet, Steele's handpicked successor as chairman and CEO, appointed her to the Board of Directors
Board of directors
A board of directors is a body of elected or appointed members who jointly oversee the activities of a company or organization. Other names include board of governors, board of managers, board of regents, board of trustees, and board of visitors...
. In Joan Crawford
Joan Crawford
Joan Crawford , born Lucille Fay LeSueur, was an American actress in film, television and theatre....
's later career, product placement
Product placement
Product placement, or embedded marketing, is a form of advertisement, where branded goods or services are placed in a context usually devoid of ads, such as movies, music videos, the story line of television shows, or news programs. The product placement is often not disclosed at the time that the...
for Pepsi
Pepsi
Pepsi is a carbonated soft drink that is produced and manufactured by PepsiCo...
can be seen in several films, including Strait-Jacket
Strait-Jacket
Strait-Jacket is a 1964 American thriller film starring Joan Crawford and Diane Baker in a macabre mother and daughter tale about a series of axe-murders. Released by Columbia Pictures, the film was directed and produced by William Castle, and co-produced by Dona Holloway...
(1964) and Berserk!
Berserk!
Berserk! is a 1967 British Technicolor thriller film starring Joan Crawford, Ty Hardin, and Judy Geeson in a macabre mother and daughter tale about a circus plagued with murders. The screenplay was written by Herman Cohen and Aben Kandel, and the film directed by Jim O'Connolly...
(1967) Crawford would remain on the Board of Directors of Pepsi-Cola Company until her forced retirement in 1973. The two had their ashes interred in a crypt together upon Crawford's death in 1977. They are interred in Ferncliff Cemetery
Ferncliff Cemetery
Ferncliff Cemetery and Mausoleum is located on Secor Road in the hamlet of Hartsdale, town of Greenburgh, Westchester County, New York, about 25 miles north of Midtown Manhattan. It was founded in 1902, and is non-sectarian...
in Hartsdale, New York
Hartsdale, New York
Hartsdale is a hamlet and a census-designated place located in the town of Greenburgh, Westchester County, New York. The population was 5,293 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Hartsdale is located at ....
. His crypt marker incorrectly lists his middle initial as "M" for no explained reason.