Thursday Press Clips – More Pressure on PepsiCo; Consumers Want New Versions of Existing Products Thursday Press Clips – More Pressure on PepsiCo; Consumers Want New Versions of Existing Products

Thursday Press Clips – More Pressure on PepsiCo; Consumers Want New Versions of Existing Products

by Ray Latif,

Relevant in the news today include stories about the continuing and mounting pressure on PepsiCo and why consumers love innovation in oft-consumed food and beverages. Shortly after Nelson Peltz’ Trian Fund acquired 2.36 million shares of PepsiCo, The Financial Times examined the potential for the cola giant to retain outside advisors to help adjust its business and marketing strategies and defend against a corporate shake-up.

Jumping Off the Shelf by Sharpening Both Edges of the Promotional Sword Jumping Off the Shelf by Sharpening Both Edges of the Promotional Sword

Jumping Off the Shelf by Sharpening Both Edges of the Promotional Sword

by Rick Hill,

When Barq's launched its' Soviet Union Going Out of Business sale, it set the industry on its ear and generated worldwide publicity for what would turn out to be the only organized celebration of the end of the Cold War. It generated an eye-popping 30 percent sales increase -- but not for the reasons most folks think. (Editor's Note: Rick Hill, a longtime beverage marketer, is the Founder & CEO of BrandHeat Marketing)

Nestlé Waters Employees Honored for Disaster Relief Efforts Nestlé Waters Employees Honored for Disaster Relief Efforts

Nestlé Waters Employees Honored for Disaster Relief Efforts

by Ray Latif,

As 2011 marked a year in which the United States was pummeled by some of the worst tornadoes, floods, and wildfires on record, Nestlé Waters North America employees were recently honored by AmeriCares, a nonprofit global health and disaster relief organization, for donating over one million bottles of water to natural disaster survivors in 12 states across the country. Over the last seven years, Nestlé Waters has worked with AmeriCares to donate over 6 million bottles of water to disaster survivors in the United States and Haiti where the company supported relief efforts after the 2010 earthquake.

Changes Roiling Functional Beverage Category Changes Roiling Functional Beverage Category

Changes Roiling Functional Beverage Category

by Ray Latif,

Shareholder concerns at O.N.E. Coconut Water and Celsius Holdings appear to have reached a boiling point as both companies ousted top executives this week. As first reported in Beverage Business Insights, O.N. E. Coconut Water dismissed both Steve Coston, the president of the O.N.E., and Steve Vasquez, the vice president of sales. O.N.E. founder Rodrigo Veloso said that the moves were part of a general restructuring at the company, though he declined to explain the exact reasons behind Coston and Vasquez’ seemingly abrupt exit.

BevNET Live: Fewer than 30 Seats Remain! BevNET Live: Fewer than 30 Seats Remain!

BevNET Live: Fewer than 30 Seats Remain!

by BevNET.com Staff,

With fewer than 30 seats remaining, BevNET Live Winter 11 is almost sold out!  If you are interested in attending BevNET Live Winter 11 on December 5 and 6 in…

Review: Bullet Energy Review: Bullet Energy

Review: Bullet Energy

by Aaron Willette,

As long as the big energy drink brands continue to grow and operate multibillion dollar businesses, it seems as though there will be companies who feel as though the best…

Review: Hi-T Organic Hemp Iced Tea Review: Hi-T Organic Hemp Iced Tea

Review: Hi-T Organic Hemp Iced Tea

by BevNET.com Staff,

Hi-T is a USDA Organic hemp iced tea that’s made with hemp extract and hemp syrup — and it’s actually quite tasty. However, the in your face presentation of a…

Review: Tevolution Review: Tevolution

Review: Tevolution

by BevNET.com Staff,

Tevolution is an RTD tea that supports charitable causes with $0.25 from each bottle sold. What’s unique about this is that the donation is activated when the purchaser of the…

Diet Energy Grabs a Bigger Piece of the Pie Diet Energy Grabs a Bigger Piece of the Pie

Diet Energy Grabs a Bigger Piece of the Pie

by Jeffrey Klineman,

It isn’t a premium beer situation, where Bud Light and Miller Lite are leading their flagship brands in sales and distribution, but as the energy drink category matures – and…

Secret Origins of Authentic Brands Secret Origins of Authentic Brands

Secret Origins of Authentic Brands

by Gerry Khermouch,

It’s become one of the more overused words in the marketing lexicon: authentic. Yet there’s no denying that many consumers are looking to support brands that don’t seem to have…

BevNET Live Evaluates Retail Channels, Inside and Outside the Mainstream BevNET Live Evaluates Retail Channels, Inside and Outside the Mainstream

BevNET Live Evaluates Retail Channels, Inside and Outside the Mainstream

by Jeffrey Klineman,

Try to build a beverage brand, and you’re likely to hear questions about chain stores, DSD and the leap from Whole Foods into convenience and grocery. But there are plenty of viable companies that have developed exciting and profitable beverage businesses without going anywhere near those main retail channels. From Internet sales to Yoga Studios, from Multi-Level-Marketing platforms to Dollar Stores, there are many classes of trade that allow brands to reach their full potential – or at least offer other retailers key glimpses of what that potential might be.

Kraft to Launch MiO Energy in December Kraft to Launch MiO Energy in December

Kraft to Launch MiO Energy in December

by Ray Latif,

Kraft Foods is planning to launch a new caffeinated version of its MiO “water enhancer” in December, according to an article in the Financial Times. With MiO Energy, Kraft will utilize its vast sales and marketing force and powerful distribution channels to begin competing in a US energy drink market with annual sales estimated at $6 billion.

Karma Takes First Big Step – Into Polar, De Crescente Karma Takes First Big Step – Into Polar, De Crescente

Karma Takes First Big Step – Into Polar, De Crescente

by Jeffrey Klineman,

Expanding off a controlled upstate New York launch, Karma Wellness Water, a new “mix-to-drink” water that rolled out in late summer, has added two key distributors. The brand, started by Jolt Cola founder C.J. Rapp and Snapple veteran Jeff Platt, is moving into both Polar in Massachusetts and Connecticut and De Cresente in Albany, N.Y.