Headlines

Diet Energy Grabs a Bigger Piece of the Pie Diet Energy Grabs a Bigger Piece of the Pie

Diet Energy Grabs a Bigger Piece of the Pie

by Jeffrey Klineman,

It isn’t a premium beer situation, where Bud Light and Miller Lite are leading their flagship brands in sales and distribution, but as the energy drink category matures – and…

Secret Origins of Authentic Brands Secret Origins of Authentic Brands

Secret Origins of Authentic Brands

by Gerry Khermouch,

It’s become one of the more overused words in the marketing lexicon: authentic. Yet there’s no denying that many consumers are looking to support brands that don’t seem to have…

Kraft to Launch MiO Energy in December Kraft to Launch MiO Energy in December

Kraft to Launch MiO Energy in December

by Ray Latif,

Kraft Foods is planning to launch a new caffeinated version of its MiO “water enhancer” in December, according to an article in the Financial Times. With MiO Energy, Kraft will utilize its vast sales and marketing force and powerful distribution channels to begin competing in a US energy drink market with annual sales estimated at $6 billion.

Karma Takes First Big Step – Into Polar, De Crescente Karma Takes First Big Step – Into Polar, De Crescente

Karma Takes First Big Step – Into Polar, De Crescente

by Jeffrey Klineman,

Expanding off a controlled upstate New York launch, Karma Wellness Water, a new “mix-to-drink” water that rolled out in late summer, has added two key distributors. The brand, started by Jolt Cola founder C.J. Rapp and Snapple veteran Jeff Platt, is moving into both Polar in Massachusetts and Connecticut and De Cresente in Albany, N.Y.

Ginseng UP is Back. But From Where? Ginseng UP is Back. But From Where?

Ginseng UP is Back. But From Where?

by Ray Latif,

A little over a month ago, Ginseng UP, a company that produces a line of ginseng-laden carbonated soft drinks – and long believed by many to be one of dozens…

Starbucks Scoops Up Evolution Juice for $30 Million Starbucks Scoops Up Evolution Juice for $30 Million

Starbucks Scoops Up Evolution Juice for $30 Million

by Jeffrey Klineman and Ray Latif,

It didn’t take long for Evolution Juice to realize its dream of using high-pressure pasteurization to go across the country. But it’s going to take a less traditional route to doing it – because it’s going to be carried on the fins of the Starbucks mermaid. The coffee giant yesterday announced today that it was purchasing the four year-old juice company for $30 million, and plans to use it as the lynchpin of a bold move into what chairman Howard Schultz termed a “$50 billion health and wellness sector.”

Tuesday Press Clips – Ineffective Soda Bans, Coconut Water Explodes Tuesday Press Clips – Ineffective Soda Bans, Coconut Water Explodes

Tuesday Press Clips – Ineffective Soda Bans, Coconut Water Explodes

by Ray Latif,

Some pretty provocative stuff out there in the news today -- and we're not talking politics. In the New York Times, there's an interesting take on the war on sugary drinks. The Times reports on a new study that found state laws that ban soda – but not other sweetened beverages - to be ineffective in reducing the amount of sugary drinks middle school students buy and consume at school. Slate.com published a story about the explosion of coconut water products on the market.

Kombucha Class Action Suits Settled with GT’s, Honest Tea Kombucha Class Action Suits Settled with GT’s, Honest Tea

Kombucha Class Action Suits Settled with GT’s, Honest Tea

by Ray Latif,

The uproar over fermentation of Kombucha products might have ended last summer, but apparently the lawsuits dragged on for another year: within the past month, both Millennium Products and Honest Tea have settled class-action lawsuits claiming that the two companies misled consumers about the alcohol content in their Kombucha beverages.

Attention Startup Beverage Companies: Application Deadline for the New Beverage Showdown 2 is Wednesday, November 9 Attention Startup Beverage Companies: Application Deadline for the New Beverage Showdown 2 is Wednesday, November 9

Attention Startup Beverage Companies: Application Deadline for the New Beverage Showdown 2 is Wednesday, November 9

by John Craven,

If you operate a new beverage company (meaning your brand is less than 1 year old), the New Beverage Showdown 2, which is taking place at BevNET Live Winter 11 on December 5 and 6, is your chance to get your brand in front of the industry (What is the New Beverage Showdown 2?).  However, the deadline to apply is rapidly approaching, with applications due by this Wednesday, November 9.  Aside from exposure to our audience of investors, distributors, and other industry professionals, there's $5,000 in cash going to the winner.  Click the link below to apply now.  Questions?  Feel free to contact me via email.

Coast Brands to Represent Xing in Chain Accounts Coast Brands to Represent Xing in Chain Accounts

Coast Brands to Represent Xing in Chain Accounts

by Jeffrey Klineman,

Call it the culmination of a long-term courtship: fast growing natural brand Xing Tea has partnered with Coast Brands Group to try to expand its presence in national chain accounts.…

Calif. Attorney General Sues BevCos, Bottlemaker Over Biodegradable Claims Calif. Attorney General Sues BevCos, Bottlemaker Over Biodegradable Claims

Calif. Attorney General Sues BevCos, Bottlemaker Over Biodegradable Claims

by Ray Latif,

In what is being described as the first “greenwashing” lawsuit in the state’s history, California Attorney General Kamala Harris filed a complaint last week against Balance Water, AquaMantra, and ENSO Plastics for deceptively marketing and labeling their packaging as biodegradable and recyclable. The lawsuit could have far-reaching implications for how beverage companies choose bottle manufacturers and label their products.