Processing Leaders Launch New HPP Council
The group’s mission is to advocate for the advancement of HPP as a critical technology in the food and beverage world for processors, brands and consumers.
Headlines
GIVN Debuts New Labels, Sparkling Water This Spring
GIVN co-founder John Houseal said the revamped packaging aims to distill the multiple call-outs on the previous version down to a simple core message, much of which is represented in the brand name itself.
Runa Hires Galindez as CEO, Gage Takes Role as Chairman
Runa, a maker of guayusa-based teas and energy drinks, has tapped veteran beverage executive Alex Galindez as its new CEO. Galindez, who was most recently the general manager of organic cold-pressed juice brand BluePrint, takes the reins from Runa co-founder Tyler Gage, who has a new role as chairman of the company.
In the Courtroom: Craft Root Beer Maker Battles Monster
Craft root beer maker Thunder Beast faces a trademark infringement suit from Monster Energy, while Unique Beverage Company is hit with class action litigation over allegations its coconut flavored sparkling water is deceiving to consumers
New Age Acquires Coco Libre, Marley Beverage Assets
The acquisition of Maverick Brands and its flagship brand Coco Libre for a combination of cash and shares of common stock in New Age “fills an important gap to complete the Company’s functional beverage portfolio,” according to a press release.
Monster Pushes Back Hydro Launch
Bonnie Herzog, Managing Director of Equity Research at Wells Fargo, wrote in the March 30 edition of the company’s “Beverage Buzz” newsletter that Monster has delayed the launch of Hydro “due to unforeseen production complications.”
Soylent Goes Cyberpunk with A.I. Spokesperson and Dark Web Marketplace
Soylent announced earlier this month a partnership with creative agency Wieden+Kennedy to develop a new tech-centric marketing strategy that appeals to Soylent’s fanbase. The campaign includes the launch of the brand’s new spokesperson “Trish,” an artificially intelligent animated robot “programmed” to educate consumers on the nutrition Soylent can provide.
BevNET Podcast Ep. 51: Ripe Opportunities to Win in Beverage
In this edition, Howard Telford, a senior beverages analyst with market research firm Euromonitor shared his thoughts on pertinent trends affecting new product development as viewed at Expo West and beyond. This podcast also includes a conversation with Michel Boissy, the CEO and co-founder of cold-pressed juice company FreshBev, the maker of the Ripe brand of juices and cocktail mixers.
People Moves: VEB Hires New VP of Marketing; New CEO at Nestlé Waters
Former Coke brand manager Kellam Mattie returns to the company as the new VP of Marketing and Innovation for VEB, while Nestlé elevates Fernando Mercé to CEO of Nestlé Waters North America.
Is Product Reformulation Food and Beverage’s Best Kept Secret?
Food and beverage manufacturers may be embracing cleaner ingredients, but they’re a little more hesitant when it comes to talking about it.
Blue Island Coffee Aims For Escapism
Chris Hopkins wants to take you on a tropical vacation. His mode of transport? Coffee. A longtime beverage sales executive, Hopkins recently launched Blue Island Coffee, a brand designed to carry consumers “away from their daily routine through coffee innovation.”
Le Herbe Brings Ultrasonic Technology to Cannabis Beverages
Cannabis beverage manufacturer Le Herbe wants to help consumers get their buzz faster, and has partnered with ultrasonic liquid processing company Qsonica to develop new methods of extraction, preservation, and processing of drinkable cannabinoids.
TABC Returns Cuvee Coffee’s Crowler Machine
Cuvee Coffee’s crowler machine is finally free from the clutches of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC).
A Balancing Act: Indulgence in Cold Brew
Given the investments into a cohort of cold brew companies and the pervasiveness of the new style, it’s likely that stores and distributors are going to need to find room for both clean and sweet cold brew styles. Thus far, it’s been left to individual companies to carve out their own philosophy towards indulgence.