Max Rothman

Posts by Max Rothman

Fueled By Kombucha, Reed’s Inc. Continues Growth

Reed’s Inc., the Los Angeles-based natural soda maker, announced today in a release that its revenues in 2012 increased 20 percent to more than $30 million. Chris Reed, founder, chairman and CEO of the company, told BevNET that its Culture Club Kombucha products have driven much of the growth.

Kraft Follows Success of MiO With Crystal Light Liquid

Hoping to tap into the runaway success of its MiO brand, Kraft has launched Crystal Light Liquid, a new line of line of zero-calorie liquid flavor enhancers targeted toward women. The line hit stores nationwide on Tuesday.

Beer Goggled: A Closer Look at Recovery Drinks

Does the hangover cure market look better than it really is? A still-emerging category in the beverage industry – recovery drinks – is hoping that there is a fortune to be made in helping provide that preparatory insurance against the day after.

Wells Fargo: C-Store Sales Could Provide Significant Boost for Beverage Companies in 2013

C-store sales could provide a significant boost for beverage companies in 2013, according to a survey conducted by Wells Fargo, a financial services company that provides market research. The survey indicated that while year-to-year sales of non-alcoholic beverages decreased from the third quarter (7 percent) to the fourth quarter (5 percent) of 2012, the category still showed encouraging growth.

Shaquille O’Neal Takes Ownership Position in BLUEO4 Water

The man who has been dubbed “The Big Aristotle,” “Shaq Fu,” and “The Diesel” can now add a new nickname to his unrivaled list: “Big Blue.” BLUE04, which markets an oxygenated water, announced today that Shaquille O’Neal, a four-time NBA champion and 15-time NBA All-Star, has taken an ownership position with the company.

Federal Legislators Respond to Critical Energy Drink Reports

In case the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) wasn’t paying attention, Sens. Richard Durbin (D-IL) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA) sent a letter to the agency highlighting recent reports that emphasize the downsides of energy drinks.

American Beverage Association Rips New Report on Teens and Energy Drinks

Responding to a recent article in the medical journal Pediatrics in Review titled “Energy Drinks: What Teenagers (and Their Doctors) Should Know,” the American Beverage Association (ABA) slammed the authors of the article for “perpetuating sensational untruths.”

AQUAhydrate Teams Up With L.A. Clippers

On stage at BevNET Live Winter 2012, actor, producer and former rapper Mark Wahlberg proudly sported a Los Angeles Clippers T-shirt as he discussed his investment in alkaline water brand AQUAhydrate. Sure, Wahlberg is from Boston and grew up a Celtics fan, but much like Hollywood, the beverage industry can really mess with your head.

Beverage School: Awards that are Meeting The Millennial Opportunity

For many companies, monitoring trends with the darn kids these days is a futile effort. For others, like the winners of the 2012 Cass Awards, it’s a significant marketing opportunity. While Red Bull and Budweiser were the only two Cass Award winners from the beverage industry, the awards identify several other successful, millennial-based marketing ploys as discussed by Nick Shore, MTV’s SVP, at BevNET Live Winter 2012.

N.A.A.C.P. and Hispanic Federation Support Beverage Industry Against Proposed NYC Soda Ban

Although obesity rates in African-American and Hispanic communities of New York City exceed the city average, the New York chapter of the N.A.A.C.P. and the Hispanic Federation is nevertheless supporting a lawsuit filed by the beverage industry that is aiming to block the so-called “Bloomberg ban” on large containers of sugary drinks. The ban would prohibit the on-premise sale of sugar-sweetened drinks that have more than 25 calories per 8 oz. serving in containers larger than 16 oz.

Coca-Cola Encourages Second Screen Interaction With Super Bowl Ad

Out with the polar bears, in with the showgirls. On Tuesday, Coca-Cola launched an interactive campaign centered around its Super Bowl ad, which displays cowboys, badlanders (a biker gang), and a bus full of showgirls in the middle of the desert.

MiO Gets Sporty in Time for Super Bowl

Just in time for the Super Bowl, Kraft is adding a sports-centric SKU to its fast-growing MiO line of liquid water enhancers. MiO Fit, which was announced Tuesday in a press release, contains electrolytes, B vitamins and zero calories, and enables consumers to turn water into a sports drink. MiO Fit currently offers two flavors, Berry Blast and Arctic Grape, and is sold in two bottle sizes: 12 or 18 servings per bottle (along with 8 oz. of water per serving).