Beverage Industry News, Reviews, Events, & Jobs

Office Hours: Corporate VC During Covid-19 with General Mills, Pepsi, Diageo

Office Hours: Corporate VC During Covid-19 with General Mills, Pepsi, Diageo

The state of strategic venture units during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic will be explored during Office Hours on Tuesday, Aug. 11 at 3 p.m. ET when our guests will be the John Haugen, Heidi Dillon Otto, and Daniel Grubbs, the leaders, respectively, of 301 INC (General Mills), Distill Ventures North America (Diageo) and PepsiCo Ventures Group. Office Hours viewers are encouraged to submit questions before and during the show, and will be invited to join the discussion live.
Covet PR Acquired, CEO Says Traditional PR Is ‘Broken’ Covet PR Acquired, CEO Says Traditional PR Is ‘Broken’

Covet PR Acquired, CEO Says Traditional PR Is ‘Broken’

by Carol Ortenberg,

This week Covet PR, a public relations firm focused on CPG and wellness, announced it had been acquired by digital marketing company Power Digital. The firm, which was founded by Sara Brooks in 2014, will now be known as the Covet Consumer Business Unit, with Brooks taking on the role of President.

Review: High Brew Nitro Cold Brew Review: High Brew Nitro Cold Brew

Review: High Brew Nitro Cold Brew

by BevNET.com Staff,

Fresh off of a packaging revamp, High Brew Coffee is also launching a new product, Nitro Cold Brew. The product comes in a single unflavored and unsweetened SKU that utilizes a nitrogen “widget” inside the 12 oz. can.

Nielsen: Beverage Sales Up Double-Digits in July Nielsen: Beverage Sales Up Double-Digits in July

Nielsen: Beverage Sales Up Double-Digits in July

by Brad Avery,

Non-alcoholic beverage sales reported strong double-digit growth last month, with all channel dollar sales up 12.4% for the 4-week period ended July 25, according to an analysis of Nielsen data by Goldman Sachs Equity Research.

Monster: Muted Sales Growth In Q2, But Up 5.2% Year-to-Date Monster: Muted Sales Growth In Q2, But Up 5.2% Year-to-Date

Monster: Muted Sales Growth In Q2, But Up 5.2% Year-to-Date

by Martín Caballero,

Monster Energy endured an uneven second quarter, as state lockdowns and decreased foot traffic depressed sales early on before improving during the later weeks, according to an earnings report released by the company on Tuesday.

Lawsuit Alleges USDA’s GMO Policies Reduce Transparency Lawsuit Alleges USDA’s GMO Policies Reduce Transparency

Lawsuit Alleges USDA’s GMO Policies Reduce Transparency

by Beth Kaiserman,

Following the ongoing relaxation of GMO labeling laws by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), a coalition of industry members led by the Center for Food Safety (CFS) last week sued the agency, noting that a lack of regulation over the growing biotech industry is threatening the ability to provide transparency in food and beverage products — something consumers increasingly want.

Taste Radio Ep. 223: How Do You Build An Iconic Brand When ‘Money Is Not A Goal’? Taste Radio Ep. 223: How Do You Build An Iconic Brand When ‘Money Is Not A Goal’?

Taste Radio Ep. 223: How Do You Build An Iconic Brand When ‘Money Is Not A Goal’?

by BevNET.com Staff,

You might recognize Tony’s Chocolonely by its quirky labels and comic font logo. Behind the Dutch brand’s playful vibe, however, is a profound mission to end the use of child labor within the cocoa industry. Ynzo van Zanten, the company’s Chief Evangelist, spoke about how Tony’s has navigated the development of a premium brand while staying focused on its overarching social mission.

Review: Riff Alter Ego Review: Riff Alter Ego

Review: Riff Alter Ego

by BevNET.com Staff,

Alter Ego, which is the counterpart to Oregon-based Riff Cold Brewed’s eponymous line of cold brew coffee drinks, is a line of sparkling cascara (aka coffee fruit) beverages that are positioned as natural energy drinks.

Icelandic Glacial Launches First TV Spot Icelandic Glacial Launches First TV Spot

Icelandic Glacial Launches First TV Spot

by Martín Caballero,

Having secured widespread retail distribution for its premium imported water, Icelandic Glacial is planning to “turbo charge” the brand with its first-ever TV spot airing in select markets starting in August.

Gallery: July’s New Products Gallery: July’s New Products

Gallery: July’s New Products

by BevNET.com Staff,

As we enter the heat of August, brands are offering consumers new innovations in coffee, CBD, hydration and plant-based beverages. Companies such as Big Easy Bucha, Four Sigmatic, Toutalou and Dose introduced shot lines while brand such as Electrolit, Waterloo and Goldthread unveiled new flavor launches. Check out the gallery for July's notable releases.

Taste Radio Insider Ep. 94: Why The Right Way Is ‘Exactly The Opposite Of The Easy Way’ Taste Radio Insider Ep. 94: Why The Right Way Is ‘Exactly The Opposite Of The Easy Way’

Taste Radio Insider Ep. 94: Why The Right Way Is ‘Exactly The Opposite Of The Easy Way’

by BevNET.com Staff,

Simon Sacal, founder and CEO of innovative food platform Solely, spoke about his background as a food entrepreneur beginning as a teenager and how his career culminated in the development of the brand. He also explained why the company’s strategy and focus is “exactly the opposite of the easy way,” and why Solely doesn't launch a product unless it identifies “a huge advantage” over a competitor.

NACS 2020 Cancelled, Will Move to Virtual Event Series NACS 2020 Cancelled, Will Move to Virtual Event Series

NACS 2020 Cancelled, Will Move to Virtual Event Series

by Carol Ortenberg,

On Thursday afternoon the National Association of Convenience Stores announced the cancellation of this year's edition of its annual trade show, which was to be held in Las Vegas in October.

KDP: Q2 Net Sales ‘Strong’ Despite COVID Headwinds KDP: Q2 Net Sales ‘Strong’ Despite COVID Headwinds

KDP: Q2 Net Sales ‘Strong’ Despite COVID Headwinds

by Brad Avery,

Despite challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic, Keurig Dr Pepper (KDP) reported strong growth in its business during Q2, with the company’s diversified, omnichannel strategy helping offset significant losses in impacted channels, according to an earnings report this morning.

‘Body’ Building: KDP, Jake Steinfeld Team Up On Nutrition Platform ‘Body’ Building: KDP, Jake Steinfeld Team Up On Nutrition Platform

‘Body’ Building: KDP, Jake Steinfeld Team Up On Nutrition Platform

by Brad Avery,

Keurig Dr Pepper (KDP) and Body by Jake -- the brand platform run by fitness guru Jake Steinfeld -- have teamed with L.A. Libations to launch Don’t Quit!, a line of better-for-you meal replacement drinks that will compete in the adult nutrition aisle.

Coca-Cola to Launch Topo Chico Hard Seltzer in 2021 Coca-Cola to Launch Topo Chico Hard Seltzer in 2021

Coca-Cola to Launch Topo Chico Hard Seltzer in 2021

by Martín Caballero,

Coca-Cola is planning to use the Topo Chico brand as a platform to extend into the booming hard seltzer category, the company announced today. In a statement published on its website, Coca-Cola stated that it is “committed to exploring new products in dynamic beverage categories, including hard seltzer.”