Beer Marketer's Insights
PEOPLE: KDP Anoints Ex-Pepsi, Godiva Exec Rotem-Wildeman as Thomas' Successor as R&D Chief
Keurig Dr Pepper is filling the shoes of retiring chief scientist David Thomas with a Pepsi vet who spent her last several years at a plant-based startup. Dr Karin Rotem-Wildeman will take post of chief R&D officer on Jan 9, reporting to chmn/ceo Bob Gamgort as 16-year vet Thomas moves on, as previously announced. Rotem-Wildeman brings 25 years of diverse experience, most recently as chief scientific officer at LiveKindly Collective plant-based startup. Before that, she served at familiar CPG brands as global head of R&D at Godiva Chocolatier and, before that, 18 years at PepsiCo in global R&D roles across bevs and food. She began her career in Nestle's foodservice div, KDP said.
There's been a changing of guard at Super Coffee: the seasoned operator and investor Tyler Ricks has stepped up to ceo role, succeeding co's youthful cofounder Jimmy DeCicco, who steps up to exec chmn and chief brand officer. They're among c-suite that includes Jimmy's young brothers and cofounders Jake as chief revenue officer, running sales, and coo Jordan leading operations and corporate culture. In another change, chief commercial officer Sanjiv Chhatwal, longtime Anheuser-Busch exec who signed on early this year, is departing operating duties in favor of advisory board role, though he'll continue to serve as key liaison with A-B, Super Coffee's minority investor and natl distribution partner.
Breakthru Bev Group makin' some key leadership promotions from within in preparation for cco E Lloyd Sobel's planned retirement. Kevin Roberts and Julian Burzynski will get bumped up to "newly designed" chief commercial officer and chief operating officer roles effective Jan 1, 2023, co announced. "As Breakthru continues to expand our North American footprint, advance our capabilities and deliver operational and executional excellence, we have the opportunity to evolve our leadership team to meet the demands of our future growth ambition," stated prexy & ceo Tom Bené. Recall, part of those growth plans involve bigger investments in Midwest beer distribution as Breakthru acquired JJ Taylor in MN and Major Brands in MO earlier this yr, and co recently signed on Yuengling in MO (see Oct 12 issue).
Still lotsa action in cannabiz on legal/regulatory side as new mkts form while some of the longest established mkts reflect on 10 yrs since approving recreational cannabis and challenges going forward. In NV, winners of the first cannabis lounge licenses were just announced last week, and in NJ, state Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC) "approved rules for 'public consumption areas' on Friday," reported Marijuana Moment. This puts NJ "one step closer" to finding "additional spaces" for lawful consumption. In drafted rules, food can't be sold on-site, tho people can bring their own or have it delivered, and alcohol and tobacco can't be sold or consumed at the premises. "Proposed application fee and microbusiness and standard license fees for the facilities would be $1,000," and operators would be able to have indoor and outdoor accommodations as long as outdoor areas are "enclosed." Rules will be posted to NJ Register, giving 60-day period for public comments. "When regulated properly, cannabis consumption areas can strengthen the industry, while giving people more choices on where they consume," stated CRC chair Dianna Houenou.
Proposed $24.6-bil Kroger-Albertsons merger would exacerbate existing inequities, barriers and anticompetitive harms, group of 20 "farm and fair food" orgs alleged in letter to FTC late last wk, urging agency to block the deal. Tho concerned about worker pay and consumer prices, letter first lays out worries related to "exclusive kickbacks and slotting fees" that leave "little to no space for new suppliers and community-based businesses."
Molson Coors put out pair of recent videos to distribs touting the power of premium lights and taking direct aim at Bud Light in the process. As AB gets ready to ramp up Bud Light investment in 2023, MC laid out its "insight-driven selling stories" to take space from industry's biggest brand, co shared via its BeerMate News platform, with the "facts to back that up."
Leading bev cos' current and future forays into alc bevs a major recurring theme during several sessions at today's Beverage Digest conference, normally just focused on non-alc bevs. Asked by Bev Digest editor Duane Stanford if Coke will buy an alc bev co, Coca-Cola Lat Am prexy Henrique Braun (who will become prexy international development Jan 1) didn't answer the question directly, but he made several positive comments about KO's alc bev ventures so far. It's a "good complement to our portfolio" and "right to be in that category," he said. "Think about it," he then said, this is "a very big deal," after Coca-Cola's 136 years as a bev co. KO wants to be a "total beverage company" and "to capture those socialization moments," it must be "consumer-centric." Tho this is "still early days," the "more we get into" alc bevs and "the more we learn," that could potentially bring more opportunities.
Aussie-born HydraLyte hydration brand has teamed with actress/producer Shay Mitchell to offer an extension called Lemon Squeeze that seems to offer a Lemon Perfect-like twist on basic Pedialyte formula. As is the custom these days, HydraLyte said that its celeb partner played highly active part in effort, assuming "an elevated role as an investor and part owner in the company, personally testing 12 variations of the product to find the perfect flavor balance. Beyond just perfecting a delicious flavor, Mitchell remained closely involved in the journey, spearheading execution details such as packaging, marketing strategy, and creative." HydraLyte x Shay Mitchell Lemon Squeeze goes for $24.99 per 16-oz bag on HydraLyte website and Amazon with more retailers entering mix in new year. Each bag contains 18 powder stick
Social media makin' lotsa folks unhappy? Not TikTok, which mainly buoys user base that's on app a remarkable 98 minutes a day. That was among findings of broad-ranging consumer insights study released Wed evening by private-equity firm Coefficient Capital. Continuing consumer survey commissioned by research partner New Consumer found that about half of TikTok users report feeling happy or amused from using app, single-digits saying inadequate, stressed, sad or anxious. And survey pointed to a sleeper app: YouTube, which may not get a lot of buzz these days but that plurality of survey respondents chose as their desert-island go-to. Much of data was drawn from 5 surveys of 3,000+ consumers commissioned by New Consumer via Toluna, most recently last month.
Huel is short for "human fuel," which is what meal replacement marketer provides, with blend of carbs, plant protein, fiber, fats and 27 vitamins and minerals. And as its topline continues to soar, +40% this year, it seems to be having little trouble getting the financial fuel to take it to next level. UK-based co just pulled in another $24 mil, led by Highland Europe, as it claims $170 mil in revenue in its 2022 fiscal year. The raise values co at $560 mil, per Highland announcement, over a 3X multiple of trailing sales, up from $260 mil during last round in 2018 also led by Highland. It's not clear what rest of financials look like, and whether co is on path to profitability, a priority for many investors these days.