Betsy Frost Joins Hoplark as Chief Commercial Officer
Colorado-based Hoplark has appointed former DRY Soda president and CMO Betsy Frost as the company’s new chief commercial officer.
Colorado-based Hoplark has appointed former DRY Soda president and CMO Betsy Frost as the company’s new chief commercial officer.
Strong demand for RTD products and millennial consumer buying trends helped the global beverage alcohol market to bounce back from the previous year’s losses and grow by 12% to $1.17 million, recovering from pandemic-driven value losses of -4% in 2020.
With brands, consumers and retailers all eager to see this trend continue to grow double-digits annually, the question isn’t if or when this category is going to take off – it’s how.
Specialty coffee roaster BLK & Bold is taking its first step into the ready-to-drink sector with the launch of its canned cold brew coffee line, which is rolling out to Target stores nationwide this month. Founded in 2018, the Des Moines-based brand has established itself as the first nationally distributed Black-owned coffee and tea company in the U.S., selling its whole and ground beans in over 6,000 retail stores, including Target, Albertsons, Vons, Whole Foods and Shop Rite.
After revamping the brand last year with a new look and identity built around the outdoors, Pepsi is moving its plant-based protein line EVOLVE further outdoors this summer with the launch of a mission driven marketing campaign built around sustainability.
Austin, Texas-based Kimbala is focused on creating authentic RTD chai in both concentrate and RTD formats. The brand also features several coffee based beverages.
Two of the biggest names in beverage-alcohol data are joining forces. Global data giant NielsenIQ announced today it has acquired on-premise data firm CGA, in which it initially invested in 2009. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
This week, country music superstar Brad Paisley joined the podcast to discuss his foray into the spirits business as the founder of American Highway Reserve, a uniquely crafted, super-premium bourbon. Paisley explained why product positioning was determined as the brand was developed, communicating the production story to consumers, why his name isn’t on the label and his ultimate vision for the bourbon.
Minnesota-based food and beverage company SunOpta forecasts it will double its business by 2025 with focused investment in more aseptic manufacturing capacity that will service its move into the RTD nutrition category and will help grow its oat-based products division.
When The Coca-Cola Company announced last month its decision to discontinue Honest Tea by the end of the year, the brand’s founders were dismayed by what they believed was a shortsighted decision. Two weeks later, they’re brewing up a new line of better-for-you teas to take the mantle.
Advisory firm IBC announced it has partnered with Cannaverse Technologies to serve as a brand advisor for Cannaland, a metaverse project intended to act as a hub for the cannabis consumers and members of the industry; Also, what the deal is behind an AriZona-backed stablecoin and Hummii's launch in California.
In the on-premise channel, bars and restaurants have earned more than $12,000 on average from the sale of cocktails in the first quarter of 2022, compared to the 12 weeks that ended October 22, reported CGA, which focuses on on-premise retail occasions.
Colorado governor Jared Polis has signed a bill that requires packaging producers and printed paper manufacturers to help operate and fund a new statewide recycling program that aims to increase recycling rates and create a circular economy for all recyclable materials, primarily plastic bottles, paper-based packaging and cans.
During BevNET Live Summer 2022, taking place June 15-16 in New York City, a panel of brand leaders who have launched powdered offerings in recent years will walk entrepreneurs through the benefits, challenges, and expanded horizons that water-less beverages have brought to their portfolios. The roster includes Eliza Ganesh, co-founder and CEO of superfood drinks brand Sunwink; Orion Melehan, co-founder and CEO of functional platform brand LifeAID; and Kyle Watson, VP of marketing for performance energy brand CELSIUS.