ON TOP
- O.N.E. and Jamba are working on a smoothie. Link
- BevNET Live will feature a panel and workshop with participants who feature experience from Racetrac, Whole Foods and Supervalu, among others. Link
- Supply Side West showcased the exotic this year, from the maqui berry – a source of antioxidants – purple corn, or "chicha" and muscadines, a grape native to the southeastern region of the US. Link
ON THE SHELVES
- Herbalife has launched the new products, Formula 1 Allergen-Free Protein Shake, CoQ10 Plus, and a limited-edition Formula 1 Pumpkin Spice Protein Shake. The new products are for the U.S. market only. Link
- Ralph and Charlie's have three new flavors of their juice drink: Banana Orange Carrot, Pineapple Carrot and Mango Carrot. All their juices have 8 g of fiber and come in an 18 oz. bottle. Link
- Zrii has launched Accell – a between-meal beverage that is packaged in stick packs and that contains the Ayurvedic herbs, Ashwaganda, Trikatu, Brahmi and Vidanga. Link
DISTRIBUTION
- ZUN has expanded distribution and will be sold in in all 550 QuikTrip stores before the close of 2010. This move adds to ZUN’s current Midwest footprint of 11 states and will help the beverage expand into Texas, Georgia and Arizona. Link
IN THE MEDIA
- The New York Times recently featured Aviad Meitar, chairman of Quadrant European Beverages, who was responsible for introducing Pepsi to Romania after the former Soviet Union collapsed. He discussed his experiences working for Pepsi and traveling globally. Link
BRAND MARKETING & PROMOTION
- Last Round Hangover is sponsoring the 5th Annual Art of Elysium Halloween Ball on Saturday, October 30th, which will take place in Los Angeles. The hangover drink will be included in attendees' “trick or treat” bags. Link
- This holiday season, The Coca-Cola Company will launch a global marketing campaign that will be seen in 90 countries and will feature a song by the Grammy Award winning band Train. The ads will launch in November. Link
DEALS
- A group of investors, headed by Tata Global Beverages, has agreed to $21 million in new financing for Activate. Link
RELIEF EFFORTS
- GIVE Water has partnered with Saxbys to raise money for Big Brothers Big Sisters Southeastern Pennsylvania. For each GIVE water sold, the charity will receive a 10 cent donation. Link
SUPPLIER SIDE
- GLG has partnered with ChemPoint.com. The online company will be responsible for the marketing, sale and distribution of GLG’s portfolio of high quality stevia extracts within the United States and Europe. Link
INTERNATIONAL
- According to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, the New South Wales Government will ban the sale of energy drinks on tap at clubs and pubs. Link
PEOPLE
- George Caplea is the new Executive Vice President of Global Business Development at Constar. His most recent position proir to this appointment was the President of Thule Towing System based in Lodi, California, which is part of Thule AB of Sweden. Link
- The American beverage Association gave Rep. Michael E. McMahon (D-Staten Island/Brooklyn) their "Job Saver" award for his opposition to a tax on sugar-sweetened drinks. Link
- Sanjeev Chadha, currently the Chairman & CEO of PepsiCo’s India Region, will take over as PepsiCo’s Chief for the Middle East & Africa as of January 1, 2011. Link
ETC.
- David Zinczeno compiled a list of the best and worst functional beverages in the latest installment of his "Eat This Not That" series. Link