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Peltz Slams PepsiCo Management, “Power of One” Strategy in New Letter Peltz Slams PepsiCo Management, “Power of One” Strategy in New Letter

Peltz Slams PepsiCo Management, “Power of One” Strategy in New Letter

by Ray Latif,

Two weeks after PepsiCo’s board of directors roundly rejected a proposal from Peltz’s Trian Fund Management, in which the investment firm repeated its call for the cola giant to split its snack and beverage divisions into two separate companies, Trian yesterday sent a letter to PepsiCo’s board calling into question the credibility of company management and asking it to provide shareholders with analytical support for its continued reliance on the “Power of One” strategy.

Video: Expo West 2014 Profile — Bhakti Chai Crowdfunds for Capital & Growth Video: Expo West 2014 Profile — Bhakti Chai Crowdfunds for Capital & Growth

Video: Expo West 2014 Profile — Bhakti Chai Crowdfunds for Capital & Growth

by Max Rothman,

Sometime last year, as Bhakti Chai continued to grow and founder Brook Eddy knew that she’d have to fund that growth, she figured she wouldn’t have much trouble finding angel investors in Boulder, Colo., where the company is based. But when she’d started to exhaust options in her own backyard, she stumbled upon the idea of crowdfunding — the accumulation of contributions from a number of parties — via CircleUp, a leading online platform in equity-based crowdfunding.

5-hour Energy Announces Sponsorship of Oribe Peralta

by Press Release,

FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. — Living Essentials, the distributor of 5-hour ENERGY® shots, today announced the sponsorship of Mexican soccer star Oribe Peralta, striker for the Mexican National Team and MX…

Frava Makes Midwest Push, Scores Distribution Deal with Target Frava Makes Midwest Push, Scores Distribution Deal with Target

Frava Makes Midwest Push, Scores Distribution Deal with Target

by Ray Latif,

Having carved out distribution in over 500 retailers in the New York metro market, Frava, a line of naturally caffeinated juice drinks, is making its way to middle America, and, later this year, into one of the largest mass retail chains in the country.

IRI Expands Category Architecture Initiative

by Press Release,

CHICAGO & ORLANDO, Fla. — CPG manufacturers and retailers eager to elevate revenue and market share must focus on optimizing their category architecture, which is the discipline of enhancing all…

AquaBall Secures Distribution at Xtra Mart Convenience Stores

by Press Release,

IRVINE, Calif. — True Drinks, Inc. (TRUU), a healthy beverage provider with major entertainment and media company licensing agreements for use of their characters on its proprietary, patented bottles, today…

Video: Expo West 2014 Profile — Vertical Water Video: Expo West 2014 Profile — Vertical Water

Video: Expo West 2014 Profile — Vertical Water

by Max Rothman,

Until distributors, retailers and consumers try maple water, they often hold expectations that don’t mirror reality. Rudy Quagliuolo, executive VP of Vertical Water, says as much in the embedded video, which was filmed this past weekend at Natural Products Expo West 2014 in Anaheim, Calif.

Mountain Dew to Offer Video Production Grant

by Press Release,

AUSTIN, Texas — Mountain Dew® today announced the launch of Green Label Studios: Open Call – a first-of-its-kind nationwide content project inviting content creators of all genres to submit their…

Senomyx Achieves GRAS Status for New Flavor Enhancer; PepsiCo Has Exclusive Rights for N/A Bevs Senomyx Achieves GRAS Status for New Flavor Enhancer; PepsiCo Has Exclusive Rights for N/A Bevs

Senomyx Achieves GRAS Status for New Flavor Enhancer; PepsiCo Has Exclusive Rights for N/A Bevs

by Ray Latif,

With news that flavor supplier Senomyx has received regulatory approval for its Sweetmyx product, is PepsiCo closer to a “holy grail” ingredient that CSD companies have long coveted? Yesterday, Senomyx announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has been awarded Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status to Sweetmyx, an ingredient said to enhance the flavor profile of reduced-calorie foods and beverages.

Press Clips: The Effects of the Safeway-Albertsons Merger Press Clips: The Effects of the Safeway-Albertsons Merger

Press Clips: The Effects of the Safeway-Albertsons Merger

by Max Rothman,

When news broke last week of the merger between Safeway and Cerberus Capital Management, the investor group that controls Albertsons, the beverage industry could sense the ripple effects. Among those who were paying attention, the industry’s many tiers understood that the news would significantly alter the retailer landscape in the U.S. However, few reactions had a tone as fatal as that of Jia Lynn Yang, reporter for The Washington Post.