Review: Plasma Energy
Another week, another new energy brand, and, unfortunately, our review of Plasma Energy cites many of the same issues facing other recent entries in the category.
JAMA Backtracks on Claim That FDA Does Not Regulate Energy Drinks
The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) has reversed a published claim that energy drinks are not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The change came shortly after BevNET contacted the organization to inquire about the validity of the claim.
Press Clips: MiO Gets Super Bowl Spot; Sweetened Drinks Linked to Depression; NYTimes Explains Oddity of Beyonce’s Pepsi Deal
Kraft Foods Group is backing its faith in MiO, the liquid water enhancer, by placing a 30-second advertisement of the brand in the third quarter of the Super Bowl, according to Ad Age.
Body Armor Gets Punchy — And Aggressive
Mistakes have been made, but they're acceptable. So is spending a lot of money to spend a brand. At least, that's the assessment of Mike Repole, the chairman of Body Armor, who earlier today revealed that he and company founder Lance Collins, along with other investors, are willing to spend approximately $50 million over a 4-5 year period in marketing and building their year-old brand of "superdrink."
BevNET is Now Accepting Listings for the 2013 Functional Beverage Guide
BevNET is now accepting listings for the 2013 Functional Beverage Guide. To be published as a special section in the March issue of BevNET Magazine, the Functional Beverage Guide will feature functional beverage brands and their suppliers. Listed alphabetically, beverage brands will be tagged with functional attributes (i.e. energy, relaxation). Brands will be indexed according to function at the start of the guide.
Review: Life Juice
Life Juice is a new line of cold-pressed, high pressure processed juices. The products are packaged and sold direct-to-consumer in individual bottles, as well as in one- or multi-day juice cleanse regimens. With new juice cleanse products continue to pop up everyday, it might be difficult for some brands to stand out in the category. However, we feel like Life Juice has done well to stand out from the pack in both formulation and packaging.
Honest Tea: Honest Fizz Headed for Whole Foods
It's a Whole Foods exclusive for a while, natch. According to the company's Twitter account, it is releasing the four-flavor line in "Austin, SA, Houston, Dallas, New Orleans and beyond." The flavors for Honest Fizz, which will be available in 12 oz. cans and 6-packs, include Root Beer, Lemon "Limey", Orange Pop, and (perhaps in tribute to Yale School of Management-based co-founder Barry Nalebuff?) cherry-flavored "Professor Fizz."
Mix1: Yeah, We’re Done
The nutritional and performance shake company, which was 69 percent Hershey-owned, "has decided to immediately cease operations and dissolve," noted a brief press release sent to BevNET. The reasons? A competitive category requiring further investment to make the company work.
Silverwood Partners Adds Two Industry Advisors to Consumer Division
Sherborn, MA-based investment bank Silverwood Partners has brought on Lynette McKee and Neal Yanofsky as Industry Advisors within its Consumer division. McKee and Yanofsky join Silverwood having both held executive roles in the restaurant, foodservice, and beverage industries, with positions at Dunkin' Brands, Burger King, and Panera Bread.
Steaz Revamps Packaging, Goes Green Tea-Based in All Products
Steaz has introduced new packaging and transitioned to a 100 percent green-tea based beverage portfolio, the company announced today in a statement. Steaz, which makes a variety of organic and Fair Trade certified drinks, has already launched its new look energy shots in stores and will begin distributing its zero-calorie sparkling tea products in new 12 oz. sleek cans sometime within the next two months.
Review: AhhMIGO
Ahhmigo is a new line of cap-activated drinks that comes in three health and wellness-focused varieties: Chia, Camu, and Greens. Having tried a lot of cap-activated beverages, we can say that this is one of the easier caps to figure out (just twist and push). However, the brand might need to consider a greater infusion of flavor or function into its drinks to find greater consumer pull.
Avitae: We’re “Alive and Well”
Avitae would like you to know that the reports of its impending death are greatly exaggerated. Yesterday, BevNET – citing information from former employees of the company - reported that Avitae might be facing the prospect of a shutdown. Shortly after the article was published, however, the caffeinated water company’s social media operation took to the online world, refuting reports of its demise on both its Twitter and Facebook accounts.
Review: Heart of Tea
Heart of Tea is a new all-natural line of ready to drink teas. The brand, which comes in three fruit-flavored varieties, is very straightforward and enjoyable in both its formulation and packaging, although it’s hard to see where this product fits amidst the massive sea of RTD teas that are already on the market.
End of the Line for Avitae, Sources Say
Caffeinated water brand Avitae has laid off its entire staff and is in the process of liquidating its remaining inventory, according to former employees. Brian Pitzer, who founded Avitae in 2009, was ousted as CEO in September by the company’s board of directors, the employees say. Multiple calls to Pitzer have not been returned.