Headlines

Going Deeper on Polar Addiction: Comedian Josh Gondelman Talks Seltzer

Last week Slate published an ode to Worcester, Massachusetts-based sparkling water brand Polar Seltzer, guest written by comedy writer Josh Gondelman. We spoke with him to learn more about his homegrown love for Polar and to get a creative consumer’s insight into why the 141-year-old brand resonates so deeply with New Englanders.

How BuzzBallz Has Kept The Party Rolling

In a new ad campaign, Workaholics actor Blake Anderson takes on a question likely popping up on college campuses around the county: why does ready-to-drink cocktail BuzzBallz come in a round, tennis ball-sized bottle?

Bossa Nova CEO: Expansion Threatens to Outpace Operating Capital

Bossa Nova may be falling victim to its own success, founder and CEO Alton Johnson told BevNET last month. According to Johnson, the functional sparkling water brand has struggled to secure the necessary financing to maintain its business despite good margins and high velocities at its natural channel retail partners.

The High Shelf: How CPG Will Play A Part In On-Premise Cannabis

Whether you choose to sip it, snack it or smoke it, consuming weed in any form in a public setting has been illegal – until recently. Slowly but surely, cannabis-friendly lounges are coming into existence and may present new opportunities for non-infused CPG brands.

NielsenIQ: Non-Alc Sales Stabilize as Volume Declines Slow

Non-alcoholic beverage sales stabilized in the two-week period ending July 1, as volume declines slowed against more moderate pricing action, according to an analysis of NielsenIQ data by Goldman Sachs Equity Research.

Taste Radio: Raising Capital? This Investor Wants To Hear Your Story.

Andrew Merinoff, the founder of early-stage investment firm Dispact Ventures and CEO of passion fruit-based liqueur Chinola, spoke about how he attempts to identify trends before they become relevant, the key factors in his investment strategy, why he covets brand brands with a great story and how he’s navigated his first few months at the helm of Chinola.

Taste Radio: Focus On What You Are, Not What You Aren’t. And, The Genius Of WhistlePig’s ‘Single’ Vision.

Don’t try to sell consumers on what’s missing from your products; instead, emphasize and celebrate the best attributes of your brand. The hosts discuss this a simple yet important distinction in this episode. We also feature an interview with WhistlePig’s head of whiskey development Liz Rhoades and chief blender Meghan Ireland about how a new generation of whiskey makers is striving to break traditional boundaries through experimentation and novel production methods.

MASH Appeal: Boylan-Owned MASH Rebrands with Ambitions Beyond N.Y. Market

Last week, Boylan announced a rebranding and new format for MASH, moving the product from proprietary 16 oz. plastic bottles to 12 oz. slim cans. As well, the products have been reformulated to remove artificial coloring and the line has been reduced from six flavors to four.

Bang Initiates Mass Layoffs in Florida

Bang Energy’s parent company Vital Pharmaceuticals (VPX) has initiated mass layoffs, including all employees at its Weston, Florida facility, in preparation for its anticipated acquisition by Monster Beverage Corp., according to an internal memo viewed by BevNET.