Headlines

Juice for the Green

Vital Juice CEO Edward Balassanian takes pride in targeting any consumer who likes juice. From this thinking, Vital Kids was born.

TSG Silently Exits Its Neuro Investment

In less than two years, the venture capital firm TSG has exited its much-discussed investment in functional beverage line Neuro, and with the departure much of Neuro’s senior staff has left the company.

Energy Category Records Atypical Deceleration

A recent Wall Street report indicates that the energy drink category’s progress in convenience stores has slowed to its lowest point in more than a year.

Video: Barnhorn Leads New CircleUp Investment Fund

As the lead in one of the seven “Circles” funds, Brad Barnhorn, a long-time beverage investor and advisor, will focus on investment opportunities in the healthy food/beverage and healthy living space.

Distribution Roundup: WAT-AAH! to Walmart

Walmart continues to express interest in smaller, emerging brands. We’ve seen brands like Inko’s and KonaRed land nationwide distribution deals. In April, the retailer announced that it will stock Wild Oats organic foods. And on May 13, WAT-AAH! announced that it has expanded its distribution network with authorization in Walmart Neighborhood Markets.

Press Clips: Lunar Marketing

The Verge recently reported that Otsuka’s Pocari Sweat will be the first commercial product to touch down on another land surface in space. Along with Pocari Sweat, the can will contain the wishes of children across Asia, which were sent in letters to Otsuka and then etched onto silver disks.

Video Coverage of BevNET Live Summer ’14 is NOW AVAILABLE

We’re pleased to announce that every speaker presentation, panel and discussion from BevNET Live Summer ’14 is now available for viewing on BevNET FBU, our on-demand video learning site for the food and beverage industry.

Purely Righteous Exit from Suja for Fleishman

After a remarkable stretch in-house – one that culminated in Suja being named supplier of the year at Whole Foods – Fleishman is returning to his consultancy, Purely Righteous Brands, one that partner and longtime friend Andrew Aussie incubated during his absence.

Swirling Innovation: Pepsi Intros Spire, Coke Adds Smaller Freestyle

The everlasting battle between PepsiCo and The Coca-Cola Co. featured a new chapter at the 2014 National Restaurant Association convention, where in a game of one-upmanship, the two companies unveiled competing customized fountain dispensing units, with innovation designed to offer consumers and foodservice operators greater variety.

BevNET Live Day Two: Be the Brand

As they explained their products and their histories and their strategies, a theme prevailed amongst the brand ambassadors. There’s no blueprint way to run a brand, but the finest entrepreneurs, no matter their style, tend to embody their brand and own it like a second skin.