Atlanta, Georgia: December 10, 2009 – The US beverage industry is being driven by new brands and new concepts. The growth for the past 20 years in the industry has predominantly come from brands created by start-up companies. That trend continues through 2009 despite a challenging economic environment. The energy drink market continues to grow in size and importance. Crunk, the largest independently owned energy drink brand in the US, is owned by Solvi Brands, LLC. Crunk is currently the 10th largest energy drink brand in the US, sold in primarily 17 states, and positioned to significantly expand their footprint over this next year. Solvi Brands, LLC has engaged GBS Growth Partners to assist them in the acceleration of their Crunk brand and bring an innovative pipeline of new products to the category.
Crunk was founded in 2004 by the late industry legend Sidney Frank, the visionary marketer of Jägermeister and Grey Goose Vodka brands. Crunk was created by Sidney to be a “better tasting, better for you” energy drink built on: a premium formulation with natural ingredients, outstanding flavor profile, and exceptional performance with “no-crash”. Since its introduction in 2004, Crunk has continued to thrive by marketing itself through diverse music, collegiate, lifestyle, and interactive platforms.
GBS Growth Partners is continuing to expand its advisory services targeting high potential companies and brands. Their “Incubator” Model provides Solvi with access to all the assets in the GBS arsenal: strategic partner introduction, business and financial planning, product development, capital raising assistance, commercialization plans, marketing strategy, in market execution plans.
GBS is very selective in accepting new companies into its Incubator. “We like Solvi Brands, their long term strategy and plan, the ownership, management team, and Crunk – it is a rule breaker”, said John Blackington, Managing Partner of GBS Growth Partners, a leading beverage consulting group. “We created ‘The Incubator’ exactly for brands like this. We look forward to working with CEO Tom Mahlke and his Crunk team” continued Blackington.
“We are pleased to be working with the experienced pros at GBS. After a careful search we believe their expertise and contacts, combined with the talent in our organization, will provide the impetus for us to achieve our goals.” said Tom Mahlke.
GBS Growth Partners was founded in 2004. Managing Partners are Blackington, Gordon Hill along with recent addition – industry vet Jack Brennan.
Solvi Brands, LLC, is based in Atlanta, Georgia and the parent company of CRUNK, LLC the makers of Crunk Energy Drink. For more information on them and their brands, visit www.crunkenergydrink.com
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GBS is based in Plano, Texas. For more information on them, visit www.gbsgrowthpartners.com.