Brad Avery

Brad Avery

Senior Reporter

Brad is a Reporter for BevNET.com.

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Posts by Brad Avery

Swig + Swallow Rebrands to Cheeky Cocktail Co.

Last month, Swig + Swallow rebranded to Cheeky Cocktails Co., dropping its entire product portfolio and the half-full bottle concept in favor of a new line premium syrups and juices, available in eight flavors for $7.50 per 8 oz. bottle.

People Moves: Riff Cold Brewed Names Adam Hertel as CRO

Oregon-based Riff Cold Brewed announced last week that it has named Adam Hertel as chief revenue officer; DAHlicious Organic announced that it has appointed former Mondelez International senior director Pamela Goldberg as CEO; Goldstein leaves Organic Valley for CMO role at cannabis cultivator and dispensary INSA

Flow Alkaline Spring Water Raises $45M to Support U.S. Growth

Flow Alkaline Spring Water announced today it has closed a $45 million Series D funding round, backed by a group of individual investors that includes pop star Post Malone and former MLB champion Chase Utley. The financing will go towards the company’s goal of scaling distribution and production and doubling its consumer base by next year.

KeHE VP: Innovation, Promotion Still Crucial in Crisis

In a webinar, three leaders in the natural grocery space -- KeHE Distributors VP of category management and growth solutions Kate Paul, Independent Natural Food Retailers Association interim CEO Pat Sheridan, and Natural Co-Op Grocers senior director of purchasing Ben Nauman -- discussed how distributors and retailers are responding to the fast-changing environment and what brands can do to stay on top of the crisis.

Neuro Turns to Gut Health For Next Functional Innovation

Despite being one of the established veterans of the functional beverage set, Neuro is still looking for ways to expand its product range. Along with introducing powdered products, the California-based company is this month introducing its eighth SKU, Probucha, a shelf-stable probiotic drink intended to promote gut health.

PepsiCo Announces Bang Energy Distribution Partnership

PepsiCo announced today in its Q1 earnings call that it has entered an exclusive U.S. distribution agreement with Bang Energy, the performance energy drink brand produced by Vital Pharmaceuticals, furthering the conglomerate’s goal of becoming a competitive player in the global energy drink market.

Data Digest: Consumer Behavior Moves into New Phase

As the world prepares to enter the third month of the COVID-19 pandemic, the CPG industry is still working to adapt to a radically altered marketplace. Last week, three new reports from market research firms IRI, Datassential and Blue Chip, shone light on how consumer behavior has changed since March and what the industry should anticipate as the crisis eases and a new normal for consumer buying habits emerges.

NOBL Beverages Acquires MATI Energy, Will Relaunch Brand

New Hampshire-based NOBL Beverages, working with a group of private equity investors, has acquired defunct energy drink brand MATI for an undisclosed sum and plans to relaunch the organic drink line this year, the company announced today.

Brands Give Back Roundup: Genius Juice Partners With Brands on Give Back Giveaway; Minna Donates $75,000 to Local Nonprofits

The food and beverage industry continues to step up and lend support to those in need during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this roundup, we highlight brands’ efforts to give back, including a Giving Back Giveaway featuring ten food and beverage brands and donations being made to support marginalized communities in New York City.

Amid Production Drop, Beverage CO2 Supply Chains Steady For Now

With production set to fall this month by as much as 50%, concern has been growing about the security of CO2 supply chains for beverage companies. However, several brands reached by BevNET indicated they had not yet encountered issues.

UNFI EVP: Supply Chain, Communication Critical For Brands During COVID

Yesterday, John Raiche, EVP of supplier services at UNFI, discussed in detail how the industry is adapting to the changes brought on by the novel coronavirus in a webinar hosted by the Hirshberg Enterprise Institute. Raiche offered advice for how brands can adapt to the new environment while providing an update on how UNFI is responding to the demands of the crisis.

Cloud Water Adjusts Expansion Plans Amid COVID

CBD-infused beverage maker Cloud Water had been preparing to make a broad retail expansion this year, aided by a new partnership with New York DSD distributor Big Geyser. But as the COVID-19 pandemic has slowed expansion in traditional retail channels, the company is adjusting its strategy in the hope that it can still hit triple-digit growth goals.

Medical Meal Replacement Brand Kate Farms Raises $23M

Kate Farms, a California-based maker of medical grade meal replacement drinks, has raised $23 million in a Series A-1 funding round, the company announced this week, bringing its total financing to $48 million. According to chairman and CEO Brett Matthews, the round will primarily go towards scaling company operations and increasing sales and marketing efforts.