The Flow: BevNET Live in just 27 days, adds Bello, Burgmaier

ON TOP


  • BevNET Live: SoBe Founder, Adina CEO John Bello to present – Bello will discuss the changes in the beverage retailing and distribution environment. Link
  • BevNET Live: Dealmaker Michael Burgmaier joins Pitch Practice – Burgmaier, an investment banker with Silverwood Partners, will offer advice on attracting investment and asset allocation for entrepreneurial beverage companies. Link
  • Only 27 days until BevNET Live Summer 10 Link


ON THE SHELVES


  • Fizzy Lizzy announced a complete re-branding of its sparkling juice line with a new logo and graphics for its packaging and its website. Link


DISTRIBUTION


  • ViB Holdings announced an aggressive expansion into Northern California, signing six new distributors which will complete the brand’s distribution network in that state. Link


IN THE COURTS


  • A federal court in Illinois dismissed claims that The Coca-Cola Co., Inc.‘s labeling for its “classic” and “original formula” sodas violate consumer fraud laws because the products contain high fructose corn syrup, which did not exist when the beverage was first sold in the 1880s. Link


LAW, POLICY, AND ADVOCACY


  • Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) introduced legislation that would raise $10 billion annually through a tax on bottlers and other water-dependent industries. Link
  • A bill in California would prevent high school students in that state from buying sports drinks on campus, the Los Angeles Times reports. Link
  • Dozens of soft drink workers and advocates flooded Washington D.C.’s city council Friday to protest a proposed local tax on sugary drinks. Link


BRAND MARKETING & PROMOTION


  • Fruit2O is sponsoring a 10-city summer tour and a Facebook engagement promotion to support the American Diabetes Association. Link
  • XYIENCE will announce a new flavor of its Xenergy Xtreme energy drink on Monday, May 24, 2010. Until that time, XYIENCE is giving its fans a chance to guess the flavor and win a prize package that includes a one-month supply of the new drink. Link
  • Elations announced the launch of its Boomers Building a Better America initiative. Former Olympic gymnasts and community activists, Nadia Comaneci and her husband will help award cash grants along with expert advice, resources and tools choose to volunteer projects pitched by deserving Boomers.
  • Lipton Sparkling Diet Green Tea has sponsored the 12th Annual Young Hollywood Awards hosted by Mario Lopez.


TRENDS AND STUDIES


  • A study in an upcoming issue of Brain Research found that athletes only needed to swished a sports drink in their mouths for their bodies to release stored energy as if they had swallowed the drink. Link
  • A new study suggests fortified orange juice can help the body’s vitamin D levels go up as effectively as vitamin supplements, Reuters reports. Link
  • A new review suggests even high amounts of coffee and soft drinks might not boost your colon cancer risk, Health Day reports. Link
  • Sugar-sweetened carbonated beverage consumption correlates with body mass index, waist circumference, and poor dietary choices in school children, according to a study published in BMC Public Health. Link


IN THE MEDIA


  • Soldiers in Tim Hsia’s unit were more concerned with the available quantity of Rip It energy drink than they were with the quality of the food, he reported in the New York Times‘ “At War: Notes From the Front Lines” column. Link
  • Sunny Delight Beverages Co. will move its headquarters to a larger space, but will remain in Blue Ash, Ohio, reported the Business Courier of Cincinnati. Link
  • The Coca-Cola Co. Inc. hopes its Freestyle soda fountain will rejuvenate soft-drink sales by letting restaurant-goers mix up 104 different drinks, reported the Wall Street Journal. Link
  • Advertising agencies GSD&M Idea City, TBWA/Chiat/Day and BBDO’s Juniper Park in Toronto are awaiting a decision on a PepsiCo review for creative duties on Tropicana Pure Premium, reported AdvertisingAge. Link


FINANCIALS


  • Lifeway Foods, Inc. announced that Lifeway’s Board of Directors approved a new share repurchase program of up to 200,000 shares. Link
  • Cott Corporation announced its results for the first quarter ended April 3, 2010. First quarter 2010 revenue was $363 million compared to $367 million, a decline of 1.1 percent. Operating income increased 13 percent to $25 million from $22 million. Net income was $12 million compared to $20 million. Link


SUPPLY SIDE


  • Synergy Flavors Inc. recently earned organic certification for its second North American manufacturing facility. Link
  • DSM Nutritional Products announced that its geniVida Bone Blend has been shown in a clinical trial to significantly increase bone mineral density by up to 3.4 percent in post-menopausal women after only 6 months supplementation. Link


INTERNATIONAL


  • The Food Safety and Standard Authority of India posted a draft of regulation for energy drinks that compares their effects to the use of drugs like cocaine. Link


TOOTING THEIR HORN


  • ALO Drink‘s ALO Enrich was selected as a Silver Finalist for Best Cold Beverage in the 2010 sofi Awards from the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade, Inc.
  • Q Tonic‘s 750ml bottle was selected as a Finalist for Outstanding Carbonated Beverage in the 2010 sofi Awards from the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade, Inc.


PEOPLE


  • Jon Harvey Adams, 69, a longtime art director for The Coca-Cola Co., Inc., died of cancer on Tuesday at his Atlanta home. Link
  • Muhtar Kent, chairman and CEO of The Coca-Cola Co., Inc., delivered the commencement address at High Point University’s graduation. Link


ETC.


  • New Hampshire’s state senate will vote this week on whether to designate apple cider as the state’s official drink. Link
  • A new commercial for Cheerwine‘s “Long Live Leisure” campaign features a dance contest between a man and a bear. Link
  • A new Canadian advertising campaign compares facts about milk to myths about milk. We’re not sure all the myths existed before the campaign. Link
  • May 8th marked the 124th anniversary of the day the first glass of Coca-Cola was served at Jacob’s Pharmacy in Atlanta. Link
  • A POM Wonderful billboard in Boston that came under fire for trivializing suicide now can’t be taken down because a hawk has nested and hatched chicks on it. Link