The Flow: Rob Erlich Talks to BevNET; Boards at BevNET Live

ON TOP

  • BevNET interviewed Rob Ehrlich, founder of Rob’s Really Good. Erlich spoke about getting his brand into schools by canning the beverages and new company developments. Link
  • Boards can be an asset — if they’re formed right and there’s good communication. And Brad Barnhorn, Mark Rampolla, and John Burns will discuss the best ways to turn your board into an asset at BevNET Live in Santa Monica. Link

ON THE SHELVES

  • Cooper Tea has launched B.W. Cooper’s Iced Brew Tea Mini-Bottles in Sheetz convenience stores. Each concentrated 4 oz. bottle makes 4 quarts of unsweetened, brewed tea. Link
  • By March 2011, Odwalla will use PlantBottle packaging for all its single-serve bottles. The packaging is HDPE, made of up to 100 percent plant-based materials and will be 100 percent recyclable. Link

DISTRIBUTION

  • DAHlicious has expanded distribution of its Indian Lassi Drinks. The products are now available at select retail chains including Lunds and Byerley’s (Midwest), Earth Fare (Southeast), and Whole Foods Market North Atlantic, Northeast, and Northern California regions. Link
  • Celsius has expanded distribution to Gold’s Gyms Franchisees and Smoothie Kings throughout the US. Link
  • Hawaiian Springs bottled water is now available at 51 Sprouts Farmers Market stores. The chain has stores throughout Arizona, California, Texas and Colorado, and will carry the 500 ml, 1 Liter and 1.5 Liter sizes of Hawaiian Springs water at all locations. Link
  • Spider Energy Drink has launched in Southern California through Haralambos Beverage Company. Link

IN THE MEDIA

  • David Zinczeno put together a list of what he considers to be the Unhealthiest Juices in America as part of his “Eat This, Not That” franchise. Link
  • The Daily Trojan – newspaper of the University of Southern California – recently profiled Marshall School of Business alum, Charlie Snell as he founded the company Tenya LLC and produced the fruit juice and green tea beverage, MADE. Link

BRAND MARKETING & PROMOTION

  • Jillian Michaels will be featured in a multi-media campaign to promote So Delicious Coconut Milk Beverage starting in January 2011. Link

TRENDS AND STUDIES

  • Mintel researchers have found that 45 percent of sustainable food and drink users cite a perceived belief in superior quality as the reason behind their purchases. Additionally, 43 percent of those surveyed said they chose sustainable food and drink out of environmental/human welfare concerns. Link
  • The report, Seeking Safer Packaging 2010, from Green Century Capital Management and As you Sow gave Hain Celestial an “A” grade for its efforts to reduce the amount of BPA in its packaging. on the other hand, PepsiCo received a “D-” grade and Coca-Cola received an “F”. Link

DEALS

  • Provita Energy USA has entered into a brand development and distribution agreement with Coca-Cola Bottling Company Consolidated. Link

RELIEF EFFORTS

  • Nestle Waters North America received a Keep America Beautiful award. Link

SUPPLIER SIDE

  • Synergy Flavors Inc has developed a line of flavors for all-natural, low-calorie, high-protein drinks. The flavors traditional chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla, honey cream and baked oatmeal. Link

PEOPLE

  • It has been reported that Ivan Pollard, managing partner at Naked Communications, will be moving to Atlanta to become the vice president of global connections at Coca-Cola. He will take up his new role in January 2011. Link
  • The Canadian company The PoP Shoppe has hired beverage industry sales and distribution veteran Paul Richards. Link

ETC.

  • Maine Root received the New England’s Best award for their Lemonade at Natural Products Expo East. Link
  • Optimum Nutrition has been named Brand of the Year at the 2010 Bodybuilding.com Supplement Awards. Link
  • A match made in electrolyte heaven — Michael Jordan and Indra Nooyi were spotted at a baseball game together. Link