Headlines

Beatdown: Consumer Reports Slams Sports Drinks, Plant-Based Waters

In a new article titled “Don’t be fooled by coconut water and other new sports drinks,” Consumer Reports hammers away claims of enhanced hydration and elevated nutrition as touted by beverage brands in a range of categories, including plant-based waters and electrolyte-fortified drinks.

Agua Drops the Enerviva in Brand Revamp

In a sweeping revamp, Agua Enerviva is now known simply as Agua. While still identified as an "energy water," a reworking of the label gives far greater prominence to its low-calorie formulation, something that founder Carol Dollard calls “one of the most important things that consumers are looking at when they pick up a beverage.”

Tea Change: Howell Departs as Rooibee CEO, Meissner Joins Board

Howell, who joined Roobiee Red Tea as its chief executive officer in 2010, has left the company to become the director of innovation for spirits giant Brown-Forman. Meanwhile, longtime beverage veteran Bill Meissner, most recently the president and CEO capsule-based coffee company Tazza Pronto, has joined Rooibee’s board of directors,

Spindrift Breaks Ground on New Innovation Center

The upcoming 2,000 sq. ft. space is slated to be up and running later this summer, and will serve as the company’s “innovation center,” according to Spindrift founder Bill Creelman.

Core Water Launches Sportcap Line

The emerging water brand – notable for its 7.4 pH, its founder, Lance Collins, and most distinctively, a custom cup-shaped overcap – is ditching that last bit of distinction as part of a sports cap line extension.

Funding Briefs: Sipp, Coconut Cartel Land Equity Investments

News of a couple notable investment rounds recently hit our desk, with organic soda brand Sipp and Coconut Cartel, which markets coconut water sold in unopened coconuts, each securing new equity financing.

Matcha Mania is Upon Us

From the the New York Post naming it “New York City’s hot new cult,” to its spotlight on NBC’s “The Today Show,” a recent wave of publicity has thrust matcha in front of the eyes of the general public.

Aquahydrate Gets a Few Sips in National TV Ad for Ciroc Vodka

Sean "Diddy" Combs, one of a trio of high-profile investors in Aquahydrate, has once again worked the alkaline water brand into a national television ad, this time for Ciroc Vodka. The ad, which promotes designated driving, comes approximately 15 months after the debut of a widely aired TV spot for Fiat, which also included placement of Aquahydrate.