Taste Radio Ep. 193: Soylent’s Crowley On What High-Performing Leaders Get Right Taste Radio Ep. 193: Soylent’s Crowley On What High-Performing Leaders Get Right

Taste Radio Ep. 193: Soylent’s Crowley On What High-Performing Leaders Get Right

by BevNET.com Staff,

Bryan Crowley, CEO of Soylent, spoke about how his career experience shaped his leadership style and helped frame his vision for the future of the fast-growing “complete food” brand. He also how the brand’s mission and growth strategy have each evolved, why it has embraced GMO ingredients and what the notion of “better for you” means for modern consumers. This episode is presented by Flavorman, the beverage architects.

BevNET Magazine Feature: Something’s Brewing BevNET Magazine Feature: Something’s Brewing

BevNET Magazine Feature: Something’s Brewing

by Martín Caballero,

In kombucha, the story of the 2010s has been about the category’s rise from a niche beverage to a mainstream product. Having achieved that milestone, the question facing the industry at the precipice of a new decade is how to ensure that growth continues.

BevNET Live Winter 2019: La Colombe and Chobani on Overcoming Fear BevNET Live Winter 2019: La Colombe and Chobani on Overcoming Fear

BevNET Live Winter 2019: La Colombe and Chobani on Overcoming Fear

by BevNET.com Staff,

In this conversation recorded at BevNET Live Winter 2019 in Santa Monica, California, La Colombe CEO Todd Carmichael and Chobani president Peter McGuinness discuss how fear of a changing marketplace is a necessary ingredient in forward-thinking innovations and how it led both companies roll out new oat milk product lines this year.

IFF and DuPont to Become a $45B Ingredient Powerhouse IFF and DuPont to Become a $45B Ingredient Powerhouse

IFF and DuPont to Become a $45B Ingredient Powerhouse

by Beth Kaiserman,

Two ingredient development and innovation companies are joining forces: International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF) and DuPont Nutrition & BioSciences announced yesterday that the two will merge via a $26.2 billion deal. The new company is valued at $45.4 billion, with a projected combined revenue of over $11 billion for 2019, morphing the two into a single global ingredient powerhouse for food and beverage CPG brands.

Post-Acquisition, Orgain Sets Course for “Rapid Innovation” In Protein Post-Acquisition, Orgain Sets Course for “Rapid Innovation” In Protein

Post-Acquisition, Orgain Sets Course for “Rapid Innovation” In Protein

by Martín Caballero,

Butterfly, the private equity group which acquired a majority stake in Orgain in November, is expected to inject new energy and resources into the brand, providing a boost in marketing and a path towards international expansion, along with "fuel to the fire on our innovation," according to founder Dr. Andrew Abraham.

People Moves: Todd Berardi Exits Hiball People Moves: Todd Berardi Exits Hiball

People Moves: Todd Berardi Exits Hiball

by Brad Avery,

Todd Berardi Exits Hiball; Rowdy Mermaid Names VEB, PepsiCo Vet as VP of Sales & Marketing; Mad Tasty Names Dan Holland as COO; Sprig CEO Michael Lewis Exits Company; Scott LaPorta Joins Sugarfina as CEO; Lemon Perfect Names VP of Sales, VP of Operations; Apple Rush Adds Randy Ornstein to Advisory Board

Mondelez Enters RTD With Kids Smoothie Launch Mondelez Enters RTD With Kids Smoothie Launch

Mondelez Enters RTD With Kids Smoothie Launch

by Martín Caballero,

Next month, Mondelēz will begin piloting Ruckus and Co., a two-SKU line of ready-to-drink frozen fruit smoothies set for broad launch in summer 2020. Available in dairy-based Berry Banana Twist and coconut milk-based Tropical Tango flavors, each 6 oz. bottle is designed as a “pack-and-thaw” item that can go into kids’ lunch boxes straight from the freezer in the morning and be ready to consume by midday.

Taste Radio Insider Ep. 64: The ‘Trifecta’ This Investor Looks For In Growing Brands Taste Radio Insider Ep. 64: The ‘Trifecta’ This Investor Looks For In Growing Brands

Taste Radio Insider Ep. 64: The ‘Trifecta’ This Investor Looks For In Growing Brands

by BevNET.com Staff,

Megan Bent, founder and managing partner of Harbinger Ventures, spoke about why launching the investment firm was about “rethinking some of the fundamentals in how capital is invested,” why funding decisions are “probably more relational than anything else” and why she encourages “bite-sized actions” to support greater diversity in business.

Review: Ferm Fatale Shrub-Bucha Review: Ferm Fatale Shrub-Bucha

Review: Ferm Fatale Shrub-Bucha

by BevNET.com Staff,

Ferm Fatale’s Shrub-Bucha is a monk fruit sweetened probiotic mocktail that, as the name suggests, marries kombucha with a shrub. The line includes two flavors, Margarita and Cosmopolitan, both of which are packaged in 7 oz. glass bottles.

Koia To Launch Coffee Line at Whole Foods in January Koia To Launch Coffee Line at Whole Foods in January

Koia To Launch Coffee Line at Whole Foods in January

by Brad Avery,

Aiming to expand its products across the refrigerated beverage set, plant-based protein drink maker Koia will launch a line of ready-to-drink coffees next month exclusively at Whole Foods stores nationwide. Koia Coffee contains 200 mg of caffeine, 5 grams of MCT oil, 9 grams of protein, zero sugar and 110 calories per 12 oz. bottle.

Pepsi Café Set for April 2020 U.S. Launch Pepsi Café Set for April 2020 U.S. Launch

Pepsi Café Set for April 2020 U.S. Launch

by Martín Caballero,

PepsiCo today announced the April 2020 launch of Pepsi Café, a blend of Arabica coffee and original Pepsi cola that will arrive at retailers nationwide in Original and Vanilla flavors.

Refresco Adds AZPACK to Expanding North American Co-Packer Network Refresco Adds AZPACK to Expanding North American Co-Packer Network

Refresco Adds AZPACK to Expanding North American Co-Packer Network

by Martín Caballero,

Refresco CEO Hans Roelofs said that the acquisition of AZPACK allows Refresco to cover a regional white space in its growing national U.S. network. Based in Tempe, Arizona, AZPACK operates out of a 240,000 sq. ft. facility with hot fill, cold fill and flash pasteurization capabilities.

Nootropic Soda Maker Koios Preps for DSD Expansion Nootropic Soda Maker Koios Preps for DSD Expansion

Nootropic Soda Maker Koios Preps for DSD Expansion

by Brad Avery,

Like many consumers, Chris Miller has struggled with the overstimulation caused by modern technology. As the founder and CEO of Koios Beverage Corp., Miller is aiming to build on the emerging space for brain health functional beverages with a line of nootropic infused beverages intended to help consumers focus.

Dry Soda Co. Announces Investment in Non-Alcoholic Bar Sans Bar Dry Soda Co. Announces Investment in Non-Alcoholic Bar Sans Bar

Dry Soda Co. Announces Investment in Non-Alcoholic Bar Sans Bar

by Erin Cabrey,

Non-alcoholic sparkling beverage brand Dry Soda Co. has invested in and partnered with Sans Bar, an Austin, Texas-based sober bar, the company announced this week. Sharelle Klaus, founder and CEO of Dry Soda Co., made the announcement on Monday while speaking at BevNET Live Winter 2019 in Santa Monica, California.