Ray Latif is the lead host, producer, and content editor of Taste Radio, BevNET’s flagship podcast and the go-to show for food and beverage industry insights. With 14 years of experience in the industry, Ray is a seasoned journalist known for his sharp interviews and in-depth coverage of trends, innovation, and news. He began his career at BevNET as an assistant editor, later advancing to managing editor of both the website and magazine. Since 2016, he’s been the driving force behind Taste Radio, overseeing everything from content strategy to production. Ray’s conversational style and meticulous research have earned him widespread praise from both guests and listeners. He has had the privilege of interviewing a diverse range of high-profile figures, including Patrick Mahomes, Jennifer Garner, Dan Aykroyd, Kobe Bryant, Padma Lakshmi, and Brad Paisley. His ability to connect with entrepreneurs, celebrities, and industry leaders has made Taste Radio a must-listen for anyone interested in the evolving world of food and beverage.
Avitae caffeinated water has landed new authorizations in Safeway's Eastern Division and nationwide at Office Depot retail locations and officedepot.com. The agreements with Safeway and Office Depot will significantly expand distribution of the brand, which promotes itself as healthy alternative to sugary and high-calorie caffeinated drinks. According to CEO Brian Pitzer, Avitae is now available in over 15,000 retailers in 30 states across the U.S.
At BevNET Live Summer 2012, three beverage industry veterans who have had first-hand roles in establishing entrepreneurial beverage products discussed the roles and responsibilities of brand-building. The discussion featured a number of topics regarding the development of new brands and categories including an analysis of expectations for individual roles and key areas for collaboration between suppliers, distributors and retailers.
With a significant decline in consumption of concentrated orange juice, overall U.S. sales in the category tumbled 5.4 percent in volume and 0.6 percent in revenue in a year-over-year comparison for the four weeks ending on July 7, 2012, according to the Dow Jones. The sales data, compiled by Nielsen and published by the Florida Department of Citrus (FDC), also shows that orange juice prices rose by 5 percent versus the same period in 2011.
The Coca-Cola Co., Inc. announced today that it will streamline its operations around three major businesses in an effort “to better address the changing demands of the global marketplace.” The reshuffling of Coke’s operational structure will be effective on January 1, 2013.
Deep presence in the natural channel? Check. National distribution? Check. Chain authorization in mainstream retailers? Check. In less than two years, Mamma Chia has racked up an impressive set of wins and shows no signs of slowing down with the recent announcement that the company has gained distribution in 150 Ralph’s stores in Southern California. Ralph’s joins Giant Eagle, Fairway and Vons as mainstream grocers that now carry the organic chia drink.
Following a three month campaign in which the company enlisted its Facebook fans and media professionals to help choose its newest flavor, AriZona announced today that Cherry Lime Rickey would join its formidable cadre of tea and juice drinks. BevNET’s own John Craven and Andrew Guard were two of the folks asked to help choose from three contending flavors, and we created a short video of their taste test back in April. It turns out that Craven and Guard know how to pick a winner...
As one of the first all-natural energy drinks on the market, Hiball has steadily carved a successful niche within the natural channel, one whose consumers have slowly adapted to the booming energy drink category. Yet, Hiball, now armed with new packaging and an revamped formulation, is looking beyond natural retailers, and has set its sights on a dramatic increase in distribution throughout mainstream channels.
Innovation Ventures LLC, the manufacturer of 5-Hour Energy, is planning a major expansion that includes broader sales and marketing initiatives, new product lines, export to international markets, and a third manufacturing and distribution facility, according to a recent article in Forbes. The company has created a new offering for $400 million in notes to fund the expansion of the 5-Hour Energy brand.
PepsiCo and the National Football League (NFL) announced today that Pepsi will be the sponsor of the 2013 Super Bowl Halftime Show and follows the renewal of a long-term agreement between PepsiCo and the NFL last year. Pepsi, which last sponsored the live event in 2007, will also have 60 seconds of advertising time during the game, one that attracted over 111 million viewers this year.
Pitaya Plus has gained new distribution in over 100 Ralph's stores in Southern California. Ralph's is the first mainstream grocer to carry the all-natural pitaya (more commonly known as dragonfruit) drink, which is also distributed in hundreds of natural foods stores along the East and West coasts, including Whole Foods, Sprouts, and New Leaf.
Calling New York City's proposed ban on large containers of sugar sweetened drinks an "arbitrary" idea that "complicates the practical realities of commerce," Honest Tea founder Seth Goldman expressed frustration with Mayor Mike Bloomberg's plan in an op-ed published in The Wall Street Journal today.
Despite weaker sales for the mid-calorie soda, PepsiCo has launched two limited-edition flavors for Pepsi NEXT. Pepsi debuted Pepsi NEXT Cherry Vanilla and Pepsi NEXT Paradise Mango earlier this week, and each will be available nationwide through September 8.
Long overlooked in favor of their ready-to-drink counterparts, powdered drinks have benefited from a spate of innovation in recent years with manufacturers launching a range of new products and formulations specifically targeted to meet consumer demand for functionality. Armed with an array of novel ingredients and flavors, powder drinks are aiming for prime placement and wider distribution in mass market and grocery chains.
The long-running patent infringement lawsuit between Sandwich Isles Trading Company, maker of KonaRed coffee fruit beverages, and VDF FutureCeuticals appears to be nearing an end. The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) recently made its final ruling that VDF's patent claims against KonaRed - related to coffee fruit production methods and technologies marketed by VDF - are invalid. VDF now has until September to appeal the USPTO's decision.
