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Taste Radio: The Two Words That Guide This Extraordinary Founder. And, A Few Minutes With Maxi. Taste Radio: The Two Words That Guide This Extraordinary Founder. And, A Few Minutes With Maxi.

Taste Radio: The Two Words That Guide This Extraordinary Founder. And, A Few Minutes With Maxi.

by BevNET.com Staff,

This week on Taste Radio, we share the inspirational story of Adam Bremen, the founder of fast-growing snack bar brand Keto Krisp, who spoke about how perseverance and a can-do attitude has yielded personal and professional success throughout his life. Also, investor Maxine Kozler Koven joins the episode for the first installment of a new regular series in which she provides her insights and analysis of the food and beverage industry.

Smucker’s Completes Drinks, Grains Divestment; Ex-Ocean Spray CEO Chacko To Run New Business Smucker’s Completes Drinks, Grains Divestment; Ex-Ocean Spray CEO Chacko To Run New Business

Smucker’s Completes Drinks, Grains Divestment; Ex-Ocean Spray CEO Chacko To Run New Business

by Martín Caballero,

The J.M. Smucker Co. completed the process of divesting from its natural and organic and grains businesses today, while Nexus Capital Management, which acquired the rights to R.W. Knudsen, TruRoots and Santa Cruz Organic (beverages only) in a $110 million deal, announced that CPG industry veteran Bobby Chacko will be running the businesses under a single independent company as its chairman and CEO.

Olipop Raises $30M in Series B Funding Round Olipop Raises $30M in Series B Funding Round

Olipop Raises $30M in Series B Funding Round

by Brad Avery,

Functional soda producer Olipop has closed a $30 million Series B funding round led by Monogram Capital and supported by a roster of celebrity investors, the company announced today. Among the notable names involved in the round are Priyanka Chopra, musician Camila Cabello and the Jonas Brothers – Nick Jonas, Joe Jonas and Kevin Jonas.

Mamma Chia Embraces ‘Diversity,’ ‘Empowerment’ with Rebrand Mamma Chia Embraces ‘Diversity,’ ‘Empowerment’ with Rebrand

Mamma Chia Embraces ‘Diversity,’ ‘Empowerment’ with Rebrand

by Brad Avery,

Pioneering chia beverage maker Mamma Chia is looking to emphasize diversity and empowerment with a comprehensive rebrand, set to begin rolling out to stores this month. Helmed by creative firm Gestalt Brand Labs, the new look stretches across Mamma Chia’s entire product portfolio.

Better Booch Raises $2.5M, Hires Former GT’s Sales EVP Presnall Better Booch Raises $2.5M, Hires Former GT’s Sales EVP Presnall

Better Booch Raises $2.5M, Hires Former GT’s Sales EVP Presnall

by Brad Avery,

California-based brand Better Booch has raised $2.5 million in a series seed round to support the expansion of its team, the company announced today, including the hiring of GT’s Living Foods vet Scott Presnall as its EVP of sales and a new VP of sales, John Weaver.

Flow: Net Revenue Hits $42M, While Losses Linger Flow: Net Revenue Hits $42M, While Losses Linger

Flow: Net Revenue Hits $42M, While Losses Linger

by Martín Caballero,

Encouraged by improved gross margins and optimized production efficiencies, premium water brand Flow Beverage Corp. has raised its FY2022 net revenue target for branded products by up to 55%, according to financial results released by the company today.

This Week’s New Products: ‘Pure Love,’ ‘Mango Chainsaw,’ ‘Baja Blast’ and More This Week’s New Products: ‘Pure Love,’ ‘Mango Chainsaw,’ ‘Baja Blast’ and More

This Week’s New Products: ‘Pure Love,’ ‘Mango Chainsaw,’ ‘Baja Blast’ and More

by Brad Avery,

As January comes to an end, brands are offering consumers a slate of new products to power them through the tail end of the winter season. With Valentine’s Day on the horizon, shoppers will have the option to embrace the spirit of the holiday with a returning seasonal kombucha from GT’s, or turn to darkness with Liquid Death’s new flavored line.

Taste Radio: Just How Big Are These Big Deals, Really? Taste Radio: Just How Big Are These Big Deals, Really?

Taste Radio: Just How Big Are These Big Deals, Really?

by BevNET.com Staff,

On the heels of the Coca-Cola Co.’s latest foray into alcoholic beverages, the Taste Radio team discussed the potential for Simply Spiked and assessed the mission and mechanics of a new industry group focused on promoting low-sugar, better-for-you CPG brands. They also reviewed major investment deals in the meat stick and hard kombucha categories and riffed on new and notable products, including a line of non-alcoholic aperitifs launched by musician Katy Perry.

Distribution Roundup: Psychedelic Water Expands into Erewhon, Foxtrot Distribution Roundup: Psychedelic Water Expands into Erewhon, Foxtrot

Distribution Roundup: Psychedelic Water Expands into Erewhon, Foxtrot

by Brad Avery,

Psychedelic Water isn’t just expanding minds, it’s expanding on store shelves as the relaxation drink brand launches in Erewhon and Foxtrot retail accounts in Los Angeles and Chicago; also, non-alcoholic spirit producer Spiritless has signed a national partnership with beverage alcohol and CBD distributor Republic National Distributing Company.

Monster Moves to Disqualify VPX’s Counsel in False Advertising Lawsuit Monster Moves to Disqualify VPX’s Counsel in False Advertising Lawsuit

Monster Moves to Disqualify VPX’s Counsel in False Advertising Lawsuit

by Brad Avery,

Monster Energy Company is asking a California federal court to disqualify attorneys at Quarles & Brady LLP from representing Bang maker Vital Pharmaceuticals (VPX) in the brands’ ongoing legal battle due to the firm having previously served as legal counsel to Monster.