ON TOP
- Huge Growth, Tiny Footprint: Energy shots are taking share and usage occasions away from energy drinks, according to analyst Bill Pecoriello. Link
- Diageo announced has purchased mixer brand Stirrings, LLC. Link
- Twitter: Follow @BevNETcom for new product photos, gossip and additional news.
- PepsiCo introduced two new zero-calorie flavors of SoBe Lifewater and a new marketing campaign. Link
- The Wall Street Journal asked the question: Can these fortified Frankenfoods deliver on the health promises they claim? And can they compete with taking supplements or eating straight from the source? Link
ON THE SHELVES
- Power Trip Beverages announced it has created new packaging for its line of 16oz. energy drink cans. Link
- Sun Shower announced it was launching a new organic Chai Tea Latte. Link
- Bhelliom Energy Products has released its all-new 2 oz. Mr Energy 8-HR Energy Shot. Link
- Bigelow Tea and AriZona Beverage announced a new line of organic, ready-to-drink, green teas. Link
DISTRIBUTION
- Nestlé Waters North America is teaming up with Arby’s Restaurant Group, Inc., to serve Nestlé Pure Life in the fast food chain’s more than 3,700 restaurants nationwide. Link
- owater kicked off a partnership with Haralambos Beverage Company in California.
- Venga functional infusions will now be handled statewide in Florida through Fort Lauderdale-based Aqua Maestro. Link
- Snow Beverages has announced that it is teaming up with Manhattan Beer Distributors to launch its line of Natural Soda + Vitamins in Manhattan. Link
- ZredT is now available nationwide through distribution deals with United Natural Foods, Inc. and Nature’s Best. Link
BRAND MARKETING & PROMOTION
- CRUNK Energy Drink announced that it is a sponsor of this years County Fever Concert happening in Pryor, Oklahoma this June. The brand is supporting the event with store samplings, radio remotes, ticket giveaways, and promotional display pieces throughout the region.
- Former WWE star and current MMA competitor Bobby Lashley has been tapped to be the face of RecoveryX Sports Drink. Link
- Mountain Dew released a commecial featuring two women at a supermarket who transform into World of Warcraft characters and battle over their choice of Mountain Dew Game Fuel. Link
- Ocean Spray is teaming with the American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women movement and its national Go Red BetterU program. Link
- OOBA Sparkling Hibiscus Beverage participated in two charity events the weekend of June 13th and 14th — the 99th Annual Dipsea Race in Mill Valley, CA and the 2009 Italian Street Painting Festival in San Rafael, California. Link
- Coca-Cola is reintroducing its “Fantanas” brand ambassadors for Fanta, and offering a lucky fan the chance to become the fourth Fantana. Link
- owater gave fans a glimpse into a recording session for one of its signature radio ads. Link
- FRS signed L.A. Laker Derek Fisher as a brand ambassador. Link
- Luxury resort The Phoenician in Scottsdale, Arizona chose to stock Skinny Water for its guests. Link
- PepsiCo is using a select group of “influencers” to help spread the word about Sierra Mist Ruby Splash. The influencers are known lovers of lemon lime beverages and have deep and robust relationships within their worlds. Link. Amp energy also launched its “Amp Influencer Series.” Link
- AMP Energy drink in Canada is scheduled to stream an event live on Facebook. The AMP Energy Rock Off! concert, the culmination of a rock band contest, will be held on Saturday evening in Toronto during the Northeast Music & Film Festival and streamed on Facebook. Link
- The PepsiCo Foundation and United Nations World Food Programme announced a strategic partnership aimed at enhancing the ability of WFP to deliver food and relief to the most vulnerable communities around the globe. Link
- Lipton Tea is expanding its commitment to sustainability. Select Lipton Tea products bearing the Rainforest Alliance-certified seal will be available on grocery store shelves across the United States. Link
- The Gatorade Company, in partnership with ESPN RISE, today announced senior pitcher Kenzie Fowler of Canyon del Oro High School (Oro Valley, Ariz.) as its 2008-09 Gatorade National Softball Player of the Year. Link
IN THE MEDIA
- Reuters published an article exploring how a world water crisis may impact the beverage industry. Link
- Reuters reported on steps beverage companies have taken to conserve water. Link
- Cleveland.com ran a Plain Dealer article examining the benefits of probiotics. Link
- MedPage Today published a story that posits that bottled water is no healthier than tap water. Link
LAW, POLICY, AND ADVOCACY
- The board of Arlington County, Virginia approved a measure directing the county manager to stop purchasing bottled water, except in specific circumstances. Link
TRENDS AND STUDIES
- Black tea consumption improves blood vessel reactivity and reduces blood pressure and arterial stiffness, indicating a notably better cardiovascular health profile, according to the study conducted at University of L’Aquila in Italy and supported by the Lipton Institute of Tea. Link
FINANCIALS
- The Coca-Cola Company will release second quarter 2009 and year-to-date financial results on Tuesday, July 21, before the stock market opens. The Company will host an investor conference call at 9:30 a.m. (EDT), on July 21. The Company invites investors to listen to the live audiocast of the conference call at its Web site, www.thecoca-colacompany.com. A replay in downloadable MP3 format will also be available within 24 hours after the audiocast on the Company’s Web site.
SUPPLY SIDE
- GELITA presented its new ingredient for healthy joints at IFT. Link
INTERNATIONAL
- Coca-Cola on UBS’s list of American companies that may seek listing on China’s stock exchanges. Link
- The Brazilian Justice Ministry Anti-Trust Division approved the acquisition bottled-tea maker Leao Junior SA by Coca-Cola Co., but with certain restrictions. Link
TOOTING THEIR HORN
- Mana Energy Potion has been awarded the 2008 “Coolest Packaging” award from Screaming Energy Drink Reviews. Screaming Energy also named Mana Energy Potion as its 2008 “Most Original” winner. Link
PEOPLE
- Krones Inc. announced the promotion of Brooke (BJ) Anderson III to vice president, sales, Western Division. Anderson, most recently a regional sales manager, Western Division, will be responsible for California, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Alaska and Hawaii.
- PepsiCo, Inc. announced that Tessa Hilado has joined PepsiCo as senior vice president, finance and treasurer. She replaces retired PepsiCo senior vice president and treasurer, Lionel L. Nowell, III. Most recently, Hilado has been vice president and treasurer at Schering-Plough Corporation since May 2008. Link
ETC.
- The Coca-Cola Co. may be considering tapping two Atlanta landfills as a source of clean-burning natural gas. Link
- A chief Russian health inspector has said he is not surprised by the news that cocaine residue was been found in the Red Bull energy drink, and went on to say that all energy drinks were evil. Link