Prebiotic soda brand Poppi announced today it has named former Talking Rain chief executive Chris Hall as CEO, effective the first week of May.
Hall comes to the Texas-based startup brand just weeks after concluding a 15-year run across various roles at Talking Rain, the parent company of Sparkling Ice. During his tenure, the company maintained its status as the leading brand in the flavored sparkling water category, with a market share of about 23% according to IRI.
“Poppi is an outstanding product with an authentic story, great founders and a passionate team behind it,” Hall said in a press release. “I’m truly impressed with the explosive growth the brand has had to date and am excited to help take it to the next level. I’m honored and grateful for the opportunity to lead Poppi, a beverage company committed to providing its community with a better, healthier, and happier soda experience.”
Hall assumes the chief executive position from co-founder Stephen Ellsworth, who started the company in 2016 with his wife Allison Ellsworth, who serves as Chief Brand Officer. It was not immediately clear what role Stephen Ellsworth will play in the company going forward.
“We’ve been super impressed with what Chris has accomplished during his time at Sparkling Ice and can’t wait to blend his years of expertise with our disruptive approach to brand building,” the co-founders said in the release. “We’re firm believers that the right team is a critical part of executing on our vision of building a multi generational brand, so we are excited that Chris is joining the Poppi family and bringing his passion, intensity, expertise and leadership to drive growth.”
In 2019, the brand brought on CAVU Venture Partners co-founder and partner Rohan Oza as an investor following an appearance on the reality pitch slam show Shark Tank. Since then the company has expanded its footprint to over 11,000 retailers nationwide including Target, Safeway, Kroger, Publix, Whole Foods and Sprouts.
Last year, Poppi closed a $13.5 million funding round, backed by CAVU as well as a number of celebrity investors such as NBA stars Russell Westbrook and Kevin Love, musicians the Chainsmokers, Halsey and Ellie Goulding, and actress Olivia Munn.
“As we enter our next phase of hyper growth, we’re beyond excited to welcome Chris to the Poppi family,” says Rohan Oza, Partner and Cofounder of CAVU Venture Partners and Executive Chairman of Poppi. “His leadership, ability to scale rapidly and operational excellence will be a fantastic addition to the breakthrough brand Stephen and Allison have built to date.”
Hall was not available for comment today.