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Financials
Senomyx, Inc. announced the extension of the collaborative research phase under its initial collaborative research and license agreement with Campbell Soup Company. Link • Consumers traded down and drank more of their spirits, wine and beer at home last year, Link but overall consumption of distilled spirits, wine and beer rose in 2008. Link • Beverage sales overall fell 2 percent last year, the first decline since at least 1970. Link • U.S. carbonated soft-drink volume fell for the fourth straight year in 2008. Link • Reed's, Inc. released financial results for the year ending December 31, 2008. Results included record revenue and a gross profit increase of 68% over 2007 to $3.4 million. Link
Law, Policy and Advocacy
The Connecticut legislature's changes to its bottle bill were due to go into effect on April , but consumers are not likely to see the newly labeled bottles on shelves much before Oct. 1. Link • Iowa brewers and beer geeks say a law from 1933 is keeping the state off the craft beer bandwagon. Link • N. Y. lawmakers agreed to a state budget that includes a five-cent deposit on bottled water. Link • Keller Middle School in Texas banned all energy drinks from campus. Principal Sandra Chapa says the school banned the drinks because they may jeopardize student health, especially kids playing sports. Link
Miscellaneous
Following the launch of several products containing PureVia Reb A, PureCircle has been invited to share insights on its global stevia supply chain at Stevia World 2009 on May 14-15, in Shanghai. Link • The Chicago Tribune ran a story on milk alternatives. Link • PepsiCo Inc is testing greener vending machines. Link • Twenty-one of some the world’s best known companies - including Coca-Cola and Tetra Pak - intend to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by a collective 50 million tons by 2010. Link • Coca-Cola Enterprises this month rolled out a timekeeping and routing application to the BlackBerrys of 400 merchandisers who visit stores to make sure Coke products are well stocked and properly displayed. Link • The Pepsi Bottling Group celebrated its tenth year in business. Link • A 55-year old seaplane used to market Red Bull at major sporting events and air shows was decommissioned and disposed of by the Coast Guard in 1976 because they considered it no longer safe to fly given the age of its wings. Link
Distribution
Crunk!!! Energy Drink has announced that all of its flavors are now being sold at all NELLA Oil locations in Northern California. • Canada Dry Bottling Company of Lansing, Mich. began to stock store shelves with drank. Link
New SKUs
Sayan Health announced the launch of a calorie-free version of Sayan Chaga. Link
People
DNA Beverage Corporation announced the hiring of Jeff Martin as Regional Vice President - Midwest Division. Jeff joins DNA Energy Drink after a distinguished career of having built brands for over 27 years. Link
Promotions/Appearances
USA Today printed a profile of Honest Tea. Link • The Pepsi Bottling Group and Rebuilding Together announced that they are teaming up for a volunteer effort that will assist low-income communities in ten cities across the country. Link • The New York Mets and PepsiCo today announced a multiyear marketing and promotional partnership in which PepsiCo becomes the newest Signature Partner at Citi Field, the Mets' new home. In addition to designation rights for Pepsi as the Official Soft Drink of the Mets and for Gatorade as the team's Official Sports Drink, PepsiCo will promote a number of the brands within its broad beverage portfolio, including Aquafina, Mountain Dew and Sierra Mist. Link
Source: BevNET.com Staff