ON TOP
- BevNET Live Winter 10 will take place at the Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel on Monday, December 6 and Tuesday, December 7, 2010. Link
- Industry veteran Eric Schnell – previously President of Steaz: The Healthy Beverage Company – has become Director of Strategic Initiatives for Teawolf. Link
- The AP is reporting that Coca-Cola Co. Inc. saird it will refile with the Federal Trade Commission to give the agency more time to review its bottler deal. Link
ON THE SHELVES
- Bolthouse Farms Premium Beverages is launching its new Hawaiian Holiday Passion Orange Guava juice. Link
- BigQuark LLC is launching a new dietary supplement, BeautySleep, that claims to help consumers sleep and fight the effects of aging. Link
DISTRIBUTION
- Kona Deep is coming to the West Coast thanks to a new distribution deal with Hosoda Brothers. Link
- New Age Beverage will distribute Vuka throughout Colorado at all Whole Foods locations and several specialty outlets. Link
- BeBevCo has added Frey Distributors to bring KOMA UNWIND relaxation beverage to Lancaster, Burke and York counties in Pennsylvania. Link
- New Leaf has expanded distribution to New Mexico with an unnamed Sante Fe distributor and will be moving into its 36th state. Link
IN THE MEDIA
- Not only does water dilute some beverages but it also has the power to enhance them, reports the New York Times. Link
- According to the Convenience Muststocks supplement in Independent Retail News, cider and energy drinks are the fastest-growing sectors in the impulse retail trade. Link
BRAND MARKETING & PROMOTION
- Lisa Bouchelle has become a new spokesperson for Adina For Life and is joining the “Drink No Evil Team.” Link
- Coca Cola Co. Inc. launched its “America Is Your Park” campaign which encourages people to support their local parks. The company will donate $500,000 to national, state and local parks across the country to restore or rebuild places for people of all ages to play. Link
- drank launched its “Sing It, Rap It, Play It – Win It!” Facebook contest where participants can submit videos consisting of songs, raps, spoken word or other performances to compete for a year’s supply of the beverage. Link
- Reeds kicked off a new marketing campaign using Google AdWords to drive consumer traffic and promote the new Reed’s Natural Ginger Nausea Relief. Link
TRENDS AND STUDIES
- Consumers who choose calorie-free sweetners in food and beverages do not over-compensate by overeating later, a study published in the journal Appetite revealed. Link
- A new article in the Journal of Consumer Research examines how positive or negative mood can affect consumer choices. Link
- A study published by Ipsos Marketing revealed that consumer interest in beverages and foods that offer digestive health, increased energy, weight loss, and healthy blood sugar levels is greater or equal to their preference for supplements and vitamins that promise the same thing. Link
- McGladrey’s fifth annual Manufacturing and Wholesale Distribution Survey indicates food and beverage companies are “optimistic” concerning growth. Link
FINANCIALS
- Coca Cola Co. Inc. announced its second quarter 2010 results. Link
- Dr. Pepper Snapple announced its second quarter 2010 results. Link
SUPPLIER SIDE
- WILD Flavors, Inc. showcased three new products from its WILD Colors from Nature lineat IFT 2010 in Chicago. Link
INTERNATIONAL
- Canadian Medical Association Journal: Editor-in-chief Paul Hebert called for tighter industry regulations on the production and sales of caffeinated energy drinks to minors. Link
- Danone paid an undisclosed sum to Swedish dairy Skånemejerier for a 51 percent stake in its probiotic juice brand, ProViva. Link
PEOPLE
- Hall of Fame Beverages, Inc. announced Steve Hendricks as new CEO. Link
VENDING
- Vend Natural has partnered with the U.S. Naval Academy to offer healthy food and beverages to students and staff. Link
ETC.
- “Cat poo coffee” – aka Kopi Luwak – made from civet droppings is coming to New York City for $30 per cup. Link