Beer Marketer's Insights
From NBWA...
From NBWA: McKenzie River, Leader in Alc Energy Drinks, Sets Sites on NA Under Howling Monkey Name McKenzie River, whose Sparks was 1st successful alc energy drink, is looking to enter NA segment, too, by reprising Howling Monkey brand used unsuccessfully for black-and-tan beer launch this past spring. Attendees at recent National Beer Wholesalers Association meeting in Orlando, Fla, said SF-based development co has been pitching the brand to beer wholesalers in markets such as Tampa, Fla, Las Vegas and San Diego. It would be packed in 16-oz can and sport oddball image of suited monkey reminiscent of century-old tonics and snake oils. Tho McKenzie River execs declined to comment yet, design is from Turner Duckworth, design/positioning studio which earlier helped develop highly successful Steel Reserve and Sparks brands just purchased by SAB Miller. Studio
White Tea Maker Inko
White Tea Maker Inko
Voss Aims Hi-End Glass Bottle Energy Drink at On-Premise Biz Voss, the Norwegian artesian water that has become a sleek-looking staple at hi-end restaurants in major US metros, is getting an energy drink sibling: G Pure Energy. New brand, in 7-oz curved glass bottles aimed at on-premise biz, is carbonated, clear in color and flavored with mixture of lulo (South American fruit) and lime, said Joe Cardi, prexy of Voss USA
Cadbury Revamps Org
Cadbury Revamps Org to Focus on Categories, Not Brands Quiet shuffle under way at Cadbury Schweppes North America is shifting focus of org from specific brands like Snapple and 7 Up to broader categories like tea and CSDs. Altho details are sketchy and many execs will be transitioning into new roles over remainder of year, reorg sees mgrs
BEV DROPLETS...
BEV DROPLETS: NYC Pols Are Latest to Snort at Cocaine Drink; Pepsi Floats Deal at Cold Stone NY City Council members staged press conference yesterday to protest new energy drink, Cocaine, from Las Vegas-based Redux Beverages, reported NY Daily News.
RESEARCH...
RESEARCH: Fruit Drinks Need More Innovation to Grow That is determination of researcher Mintel after analysis found fruit drink sales have fallen 9% to $4.4 bil since 01, 20% on constant-dollar basis. Lack of innovation, obesity concerns,
See You in Baltimore! It
Natural Products Expo East kicks off tomorrow in Baltimore and is expected by organizers to draw a crowd of over 20,000 to Baltimore Convention Center by time it concludes on Sat. BevNet.com preview lists around 70 bev cos among exhibitors. Show floor is open from Thurs to Sat. BBI will carry full Expo East coverage in upcoming issues. More info at expoeast.com.
PBG Profits up 1% in 3d Qtr
Pepsi Bottling Group reported net income gain of 1% to $207 mil, or 85 cents per share, in 3d qtr. Revenues rose 8% to $3.43 bil, topping analysts
SPECIAL REPORT: Red Bull 12-Oz Strategy...
SPECIAL REPORT: Red Bull 12-Oz Strategy Sets off Some Alarm Bells; Carpe Diem Functional Line Rolls in Jan In contrast to uniformly dazzled mood of distributors returning from famous Hawaii meeting hosted by Red Bull North America 2 years ago (BBI, Nov 23 04), distribs arrived home from last week
EXPO EAST DROPLETS...
EXPO EAST DROPLETS: Water Plus: You Haven