Top 10 Stories of 2015: Our View
Here’s what we thought were the most important stories and trends that we followed throughout 2015.
Jeffrey Klineman
Editor-in-Chief
As Editor-in-Chief of BevNET, Jeff Klineman oversees the organization's reporting across all of its web sites, as well as BevNET Magazine. Jeff also plans, curates, and hosts the BevNET Live and NOSH Live conferences. Jeff previously worked as a newspaper reporter for the Lawrence Eagle-Tribune, the Boston TAB and the Metrowest Daily News, and has freelanced for publications like Slate, Boston Magazine, Self, George, Commonwealth, and the Chronicle of Philanthropy. He is a graduate of Yale University and Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism. A frequently-cited expert on the beverage industry, Jeff has also twice been named in Forbes as one of the 25 Most Influential when it comes to Consumer and Retail Companies.
Posts by Jeffrey Klineman
Top 10 Stories of 2015: Your View
Our most viewed stories centered around distribution moves, legal issues, and strategic investment.
Talking Asahi: Japanese Brewer Said to Eye Sparkling Ice Maker
Potential sale called a rumor by Talking Rain representative, but the company has looked into a sale in the past.
Kombucha’s Great Gas Cloud
A near-avalanche of filings about the relative alcohol and sugar content of a stunningly popular beverage.
MetaBrand, Schnell Part Ways
Responsibility for the firm will now lie with Debbie Wildrick and Craig Fortin, currently MetaBrand’s chief strategy officer and President and chief operating officer, respectively.
More From Core: Organics Up Next, Says Founder Collins
The six-SKU, five-calorie flavored water/juice blend, an organic and non-GMO certified, antioxidant-enhanced stablemate to water brand Core Hydration, is currently selling in Bristol Farms and a few other upscale groceries in Southern California right now, founder Lance Collins confirmed today
Silverwood Pair McCoy & Burgmaier Leave to Start Whipstitch Capital
Michael Burgmaier and Nick McCoy have left Silverwood Partners, where they led the consumer products practice for the last six years, to open Whipstitch Capital, a boutique investment bank focusing on the consumer products industry.
Harmless Harvest Adds CEO, COO
Fair trade-focused coconut water brand Harmless Harvest today announced that it is adding a pair of experienced big-company executives to help run the business.
Lemonade: The Simple Beverage with the Complex Picture
We don’t like to become the story, unless it actually furthers the story. So here’s the story: last month, we ran a set of IRI numbers on lemonade, and, well, we ticked off the folks at Calypso.
New on Project NOSH: Former Stirrings CEO Paul Nardone Takes the Reins at PopCorners
A lifetime food and beverage executive who has come in to navigate the late-stage expansion and sale of high-profile brands like Stirrings (sold to Seagram’s) and Immaculate Baking Co. (sold to General Mills), as well as a former CEO of Annie’s, Paul Nardone has joined fast-growing snack brand PopCorners as its CEO.
BevNET Exclusive: Suja CEO Jeff Church Talks Coke Investment
“Since we started, we’ve shipped over 40 million bottles of Suja,” Church said. “With Coke and the right construct of an arrangement, we could go from 40 million to a billion. It just gets us super-excited about the pathway to building a much bigger business.”
New Bolthouse President LaPorta: 1915 HPP Juice Line to Double SKU Count
The manufacturing, shipping, and distribution capabilities for Campbell's new Fresh division will depend on Bolthouse’s strong cold-chain capabilities, but the brand also plans to keep innovating.
Coca-Cola Investing $90 Million in Suja; Valuation Reported at $300 Million
BevNET has learned that the Coca-Cola Company will invest $90 million in Suja as part of a deal that will give the soft drink giant a path to owning the juice maker in three years.
Ingredient Trends: 5 for Function
All of these natural functional products are available in beverages right now: and they’re growing and on-trend.