People Moves: Humm Kombucha Hires New Sales VP

Bruce Boettner Joins Humm Kombucha; Pressed Juicery Brings on New Sales VP; Lavit Names Former Keurig Exec as VP National Account Sales; Hardy Assumes Head of Consumer & Athlete Engagement Role at Gatorade; Danny Rubenstein to Advise Vuka

Review: Qii Oral Care Drink

Qii is an oral care dietary supplement drink that features tea, a pH level of 7, and a proprietary ingredient called XyVita that’s made with xylitol.

Review: Green-Go Organic Cactus Water

Green-Go Organic Cactus Water is an unsweetened zero-calorie beverage that is made with Nopal cactus puree. It’s also features lemon juice for a “hint of lemon” as its only flavor modifier.

Matthew Mitchell Leaving Coke VEB To Lead New Division in Japan

Mitchell, the VP of Investments & Ventures at Coke’s Venturing & Emerging Brands (VEB) unit, is leaving his current role to head a newly formed division focusing on emerging brands based in Japan, according to a memo from VEB president Scott Uzzell.

Celsius Partners with Tough Mudder

The competition at this year’s Tough Mudder nationwide events will be even more heated: On Tuesday, a new partnership between the obstacle race fitness brand announced a new partnership with zero calorie energy drink Celsius.

Column: I’m Helping a Brand, Hopefully

As part of my involvement with a local community-based food business incubator, I have been asked to spend time mentoring a small beverage company, Boston Chai Party. Even better, the founders have been kind enough to allow me to write about what we're doing along the way.

Press Clips: Slice Plans Relaunch

Trademark hunters take over Slice and prep a relaunch; Long Island Iced Tea maker comes under fire from Nasdaq after blockchain pivot raises suspicions; Oatly addresses controversy over dealings with a pig farm; German Olympians choose non-alcoholic beer; Diet Coke's rebrand gets an analysis.

Review: GT’s VeggieKefir Living Probiotic Shots

GT’s is a brand name that is synonymous with kombucha, but the company is trying to branch out within their lane of fermented living food and beverages. One of their most recent products, VeggieKefir, is also one of their most ambitious and assertive when it comes to its flavor profile.

The New, New Niches Part II: Brands Target eSports

While fitness enthusiasts are off pursuing the physical challenges of CrossFit and Spartan Race which we explored yesterday --elsewhere, technology has allowed a new type of “athlete” to emerge and a new avenue for brands to reach them and their fans.

Bear Squeeze Raises $715,000 in Pre-Seed Round

Ketogenic meal shake startup Bear Squeeze has raised $715,000 in a pre-seed round led by AccelFoods, giving the brand a financial edge as it prepares to launch via ecommerce this spring.