Headlines

The Coca-Cola Co., Inc. announced today that it has completed the formation of its senior leadership team within its new global operating structure. Coke appointed a number of executives to top positions in its newly organized three operating businesses - Coca-Cola International, Coca-Cola Americas and Bottling Investments Group (BIG) - effective on Jan. 1, 2013.

PepsiCo, Inc. today announced that John Compton, PepsiCo's current President, has left the company to become the CEO of Pilot Flying J Oil Corporation. PepsiCo Europe CEO Zein Abdalla has been elevated to President, PepsiCo, and PepsiCo executive Enderson Guimaraes has been named CEO of PepsiCo Europe, succeeding Abdalla.

Bai Brands is expanding the availability of its coffee fruit-infused beverages in California. Today, the company announced a new distribution agreement with Santa Barbara-based Pacific Beverage Company and a retail authorization with premium grocer Gelson’s, which operates 17 locations in Southern California.

A few weeks after Honest Tea co-founder and TeaEO Seth Goldman penned an op-ed criticizing New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg's proposed ban on the on-premise sale of large containers of sugary drinks, Barry Nalebuff, the company's other founding partner, offered his own critique in a recent post published on (ironically enough) Bloomberg.com.

Sparkling probiotic drink KeVita has closed a round of financing. The brand is touted as a less-vinegary but still probiotic beverage co-founded by nutritional consultant Chakra Earthsong Levy and winemaker Bill Moses.

The Chill Group has announced a partnership with brand incubator L.A. Libations to expand the availability of its Just Chill relaxation drink line. L.A. Libations co-founder Danny Stepper said a growing number of retailers have expressed interest in the relaxation drink business, and that Just Chill, an all-natural product that uses L-theanine as its primary functional ingredient, was the brand that he viewed as having the best potential to be the leader in the nascent category.

Ecuadorian energy blend Runa received a little stimulation itself recently in the form of a $3 million round of financing from a variety of investors, company co-founder Dan MacCombie confirmed to BevNET on Friday.

In yet another indication of chia's steady emergence as beverage ingredient, organic coconut water brand Coco Libre has launched a new line of coconut water and chia blends. Maverick Brands, the maker of Coco Libre, debuted Coco Libre Organic Coconut Water + Chia at Whole Foods stores in the grocer's North Atlantic, Northeast, Midwest, Florida, and South regions. Coco Libre joins a range of new entries into the chia category over the past year, including Chia Star, Drink Chia, and GT's.

Here's a win for former Red Bull honcho-turned Big Red owner Gary Smith, who managed to get Big Red into Pepsi Bottling Ventures' North Carolina markets starting in July.

Fitness celebrity Jillian Michaels has joined EBOOST as an investor and brand ambassador. EBOOST markets a line of vitamin-enhanced powder packets and shots and Michaels joins a roster of athlete investors in the company, including New York Knicks forward Amar'e Stoudemire and Miami Dolphins tight end Anthony Fasano. Michaels will hold the role of "Chief Energy Officer" for EBOOST.