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Guest Column: Your Baby’s Not Ugly, It Just Has the Wrong Name Guest Column: Your Baby’s Not Ugly, It Just Has the Wrong Name

Guest Column: Your Baby’s Not Ugly, It Just Has the Wrong Name

by Fred Hart,

Whether you’ve raised millions of dollars, been in the market for over a decade, have a cult following or just recently launched, renaming can be an amplifier to success, not a deterrent. Reframing a name and brand change is an opportunity for greatness rather than an admission of failure.

Diversity in Spirits: Pronghorn and Distilled Spirits Council Partner To Increase Hiring of Black Community in Spirits Diversity in Spirits: Pronghorn and Distilled Spirits Council Partner To Increase Hiring of Black Community in Spirits

Diversity in Spirits: Pronghorn and Distilled Spirits Council Partner To Increase Hiring of Black Community in Spirits

by Ferron Salniker,

The pronghorn is the second-fastest land mammal in the world, second only to the cheetah. But the pronghorn can sustain its speed for longer than a cheetah, according to Dia Simms, a co-founder of Pronghorn, an initiative focused on cultivating the next generation of Black entrepreneurs, executive leaders, and founders within the spirits business. Simms, the CEO of Lobos 1707 Tequila & Mezcal, called the name Pronghorn symbolic of the race to correct inequity in the spirits industry, which she described as a marathon, not a sprint.

Star Power: What Makes Celebrity Booze Brands Fly or Fail Star Power: What Makes Celebrity Booze Brands Fly or Fail

Star Power: What Makes Celebrity Booze Brands Fly or Fail

by Ferron Salniker,

From actors to musicians to the world’s richest man, high profile figures have built their own category within the alcohol industry: celebrity spirits. But as celebrity-owned or endorsed brands become the norm, what makes them succeed or fail?

Specialty Food Demand Changes As The Pandemic Evolves Specialty Food Demand Changes As The Pandemic Evolves

Specialty Food Demand Changes As The Pandemic Evolves

by Lukas Southard,

A new report by the Specialty Food Association shows that growth in the specialty food market has changed as the pandemic’s evolution over the last two years has brought dramatic price increases and a shift in consumer shopping and eating priorities. The category grew by 7.4% in 2021 as compared to 5.8% in 2020, reaching $175 billion in sales.

Jones Soda Pulls Out of Merger Agreement Jones Soda Pulls Out of Merger Agreement

Jones Soda Pulls Out of Merger Agreement

by Brad Avery,

Jones Soda has pulled the plug on a planned merger with Vancouver-based portfolio company Simply Better Brands Corp. (SBBC), citing “current market conditions” as the reason. SBBC previously agreed to purchase Jones Soda in April for roughly $99 million through an acquisition of all issued and outstanding Jones common stock.

Hella Cocktail Co. Raises $5 Million Round from Uncle Nearest Hella Cocktail Co. Raises $5 Million Round from Uncle Nearest

Hella Cocktail Co. Raises $5 Million Round from Uncle Nearest

by Brad Avery,

Hella Cocktail Co. has raised $5 million in a Series A funding round, fully backed by premium spirits brand Uncle Nearest, the company announced today. Founded in 2012 by CEO Jomaree Pinkard, CMO Eddie Simeon, and COO Tobin Ludwing, New York-based Hella produces a variety of cocktail bitters and mixers, as well as a ready-to-drink Bitters & Soda line.

Koia and Chris Paul Release Exclusive Protein Shake Supporting HBCUs Koia and Chris Paul Release Exclusive Protein Shake Supporting HBCUs

Koia and Chris Paul Release Exclusive Protein Shake Supporting HBCUs

by Lukas Southard,

Koia is strengthening its partnership with NBA All-Star Chris Paul and apparel brand Support Black Colleges to fund historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) with the launch of a limited-edition version of its Cinnamon Horchata flavor protein shake.