Fleishman, Chief Marketing Officer, Leaves Sambazon

Greg Fleishman, the veteran marketing hand brought on to help broaden the company’s consumer base, has left the company after a three-year run. Sambazon CEO Ryan Black confirmed Fleishman’s departure, saying that the separation was amicable and that the brand – which sells products largely based on the Amazonian Acai berry – is on a positive growth trajectory.

Review: Honest Tea Raspberry Tea

Initially launched in New York City, Honest Tea’s Raspberry Tea is a new offering that very much follows in the footsteps of the company's successful line of “Just a Tad Sweet” organic teas.

Coke Tests Stevia-Sweetened Cola in Argentina

Coke announced on Wednesday in a company release that it will sell a cola sweetened with sugar and stevia in Argentina. The new product, Coca-Cola Life, will contain half the calories of a standard Coke.

To Be or Not 2B? Larry T Returns with New Monkfruit-Sweetened Drink Line

Brain-Twist may be all said and done, but Larry Trachtenbroit’s unquenchable thirst for beverage innovation lives on with the launch of 2B, a line of all-natural, aloe-infused and monk fruit-sweetened enhanced waters. 2B is the first beverage line out of Think-It Drink-It, Trachtenbroit’s first beverage venture since the demise of Brain-Twist.

Purity Gone Chicago via Central

Pushing into Midwest DSD for the first time, Purity Organic will be going through high-profile, get-it-done distributor Central Beverage Co.

2013 Summer Fancy Food Show – Beverage Exhibitor List

The 2013 Summer Fancy Food Show begins this Sunday in New York City. The show is North America's largest exhibition for specialty, natural, and gourmet foods and beverages, and BevNET.com will be on hand to report on news and innovation from beverage-related exhibitors at the show.

Review: Kwass’Up

So what is Kwass’up? It’s a drink inspired by kvass, a fermented beverage that is made from rye bread and commonly consumed in Russia. Kwass'up's biggest hurdle -- at least outside of stores that exclusively cater to Russian consumers -- will be education around kvass (What is it? Why do you need it?).

Strand Equity Acquires Minority Stake in Bai Brands

Calling Bai Brands, LLC, a “game-changing company,” Strand Equity Partners yesterday announced the acquisition of a minority ownership stake in the coffeefruit beverage marketer. Headed by marketing and entertainment maven Seth Rodsky and Theodore Schwartz, founder and former chairman of APAC Customer Services, Strand was launched earlier this year with a focus on investment in “emerging and dynamic consumer brands.”

Review: Soda Shaq

AriZona’s new Soda Shaq line, a quartet of cream soda beverages created in partnership with Shaquille O’Neal, has — expectedly — attracted quite a bit of attention since its launch…

Monster Faces Another Lawsuit Claiming Teen’s Death is Related to its Products

Within the past nine months, Monster Beverage Corp. has been slapped with two high-profile lawsuits, each alleging that the company engages in unsafe and irresponsible marketing practices. Now, the energy drink giant is facing yet another potentially damaging hit to its reputation. The Associated Press (AP) today reported that Monster is facing a new lawsuit which claims that a nineteen-year-old’s death was tied to his habitual consumption of the company’s energy drinks.

The Grand, Poobah-Powered Return of Moxie

The Grand Poobah was not happy. They had tinkered with his Moxie. You don’t tinker with the Poobah’s Moxie. Travis York knew he would have to meet with the Poobah.

Review: TEAloe

Earlier this year, ChanTea, a line of green teas blended with aloe plup, was rebranded as TEAloe. The new name came with revamped packaging and a minor tweak in formulation.…