NACS: Coca-Cola CSDs Gets Sleek & Spiced
Along with a more muscular coffee program, Coca-Cola's presence at NACS mainly showcased product and packaging innovations within its "loved" legacy brands.
Martín Caballero
Managing Editor, BevNET
Martín writes news articles and feature stories covering the non-alcoholic beverage industry for BevNET. A graduate of Boston University, Martín's previous work has appeared in USA Today, The Boston Globe and The Boston Herald.
Posts by Martín Caballero
NACS: Pepsi Revs Up Energy, Revamps Cold Brew
Pepsi is sprucing up its diverse mega-brand portfolio with new products, packaging and positioning, all of which were on display at the NACS trade show this week.
NACS: Celsius Steps (Back) Up to 16 oz. Format
Celsius' rise to the third-largest energy player has come as the brand has cultivated a more approachable, female-friendly positioning in which its 12 oz. can format played a key role in bringing new consumers into the category.
Beekeeper Coffee Co-Founders Talk NBA Inspiration, Market Moves
Pressurized margins. Competition from all sides. A scary high failure rate. Breaking into RTD coffee is not for the faint of heart. But with the backing of a seasoned team of brand builders and well-connected operators, Beekeeper thinks it has a shot.
Fresh Buzz: Beekeeper Brings “New Voice” to RTD Cold Brew
Does ready-to-drink coffee need a "new voice" for the next generation of consumers? Beekeeper Coffee is aiming to make that case.
Robusta Move: Sang Debuts New Ad Campaign
Sang is ready to bring "Robussin’" to the masses via its new advertising campaign. The ready-to-drink Vietnamese coffee brand is debuting a new video spot today that shows just what happens when a Vietnamese Granny gets her hands on one of the brand's uber-potent brews.
Distribution: Wandering Bear Finds Way Back to Retail; Leisure Project, Twrl Updates
In this roundup of distribution news, we chat with Wandering Bear CEO Matt Bachmann about the cold brew brand's approach to "thoughtful expansion" in natural/specialty grocery -- in the form of 200+ new Whole Foods locations across five regions -- with its 32 oz. cartons. Plus updates from Leisure Project and Twrl Milk Tea.
Canopy Drops BioSteel, Sports Drink Brand Heads for Court-Ordered Sale
Canadian sports drink brand BioSteel is heading for a court-supervised sale after parent company Canopy Growth's decision to cut ties amidst painful cash burn and growing losses.
Instacart Files IPO on Nasdaq
Instacart filed for its initial public offering (IPO) on Friday, as the grocery delivery leader aims to create a "truly omni-channel experience" across physical and online stores.
Analysis: Where Are The Opportunities in a Slow Cannabis Beverage Market?
We spoke with Brendan Mitchel-Chesebro, industry analyst at market research group BDSA, to unpack some of their latest insights, which showed beverages as the fourth-largest edible subcategory (6%) in Q1 2023.
“We’re Constantly Evolving”: 4 Questions With Sean Lavin, Liquid I.V.’s VP of Impact
If anyone can claim to know what Liquid I.V. is all about, it's Sean Lavin. As the company's first outside hire back in 2016, Lavin has done it all, from helping develop flavors to early marketing work as the brand went from burgeoning startup to its sale to Unilever in 2020.
Catching Up: Smootch Refines ‘Oat Water’ Positioning
In a world obsessed with oat milk, is there room for an oat water? There is, if you ask New Jersey-based startup Smootch. After debuting its four-SKU flagship line of electrolyte-packed, non-carbonated oat waters in 12 oz. cans at Natural Products Expo West last year, the brand has established a presence in Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut and Rhode Island.
Molson Coors Set to Acquire Blue Run As Spirits Biz Expands
Molson Coors has agreed to purchase Kentucky-based distillery Blue Run Spirits, marking the beer giant’s first spirits acquisition and the formal launch of its Coors Spirits Co. business. The amount was not disclosed.
Coffee Connection: Equator Teams With Swiss Dairy Giant on Premium RTD Cold Brews
Equator Coffee is teaming with Swiss dairy giant Emmi AG on a joint venture that kicks off with the launch of four-SKU line of premium refrigerated cold brews this summer.