Amazon Prime Day seems headed for another record this year, with shoppers likely to spend $14 bil during 2-day shopping event, per projections from ecomm transaction data analyst Adobe Analytics, as Reuters reported. That would rep about a 10.5% rise from year-earlier event cycling a 6.1% rise last year. Count on bevs being wholehearted participants. Among offers landing in our in-box, energy player Zoa is offering 40% off on many items while Super Coffee is offering 25% off on all products - "our BEST DEAL OF THE YEAR," as email screams.

Steph Curry and his wife Ayesha seem to have unslakable thirsts for healthier bevs. Now they're joined by former first lady Michelle Obama as investors and endorsers of Plezi kids water, move that had been rumored for several months to be in the works to augment limited role that Obama herself has taken so far in promoting brand. Move first reported by likes of Essence and Sports Illustrated, follows moves by Curry family to invest in Oxigen oxygenated water during pandemic (BBI, Aug 7 2020) and to take "lead investor" role in Nirvana this spring (BBI, May 21). They were also looking at involvement in Recover 180 sports drink, tho it's not clear whether that panned out (BBI, Oct 12).

Makers of Delta-8 THC snack and candy products like Stoneos, Trips Ahoy, Doweedos and Stoney Ranchers were among next set of cos to get warning letters from FDA and FTC this wk, agencies jointly announced today. The cease & desist letters raise concerns about packages and brand names that are "deceptively similar" to existing food brands. "Those that prioritize profits in front of children's safety are at serious risk of legal action," director of FTC's consumer protection bureau Samuel Levine warned in release. Same agencies sent letters along the same lines to group of producers, including makers of some D8 drinks, about a yr ago. This time focus is on lookalike candy, snack and cereal brands. Regulation of D8, D9 and other hemp-derived cannabinoid products remains decidedly blurry. In meantime, these agencies clearly feel on solid footing going after products that could be confused with existing brands "designed to look like children's snacks," as their release describes. "Inadequate or confusing labeling can result in children or unsuspecting adults consuming products with strong resemblance to popular snacks and candies that contain delta-8 THC without realizing it," FDA principal deputy commissioner Namadjé Bumpus commented. FDA parlance for such products is "adulterated," while FTC argues they constitute "unfair and deceptive marketing." At same time, class action suits have also started to show up alleging that various hemp-derived products violate fed laws, as regulatory advisory firm Duane Morris outlined this spring (BBI, Apr 18).

Frank B Fuhrer Wholesale Co bought bev division with $10 mil in sales of local food distrib Alber & Leff, reported Pittsburgh Business Times. Alber & Leff sold about 25 brands, including Sparkling Ice, Essentia, Prime Hydration, Alani Nu and Poppi. "Fuhrer has been looking to expand into the non-alcoholic segment," Fuhrer CFO Jake Wrigley told Biz Times. "This was just the perfect opportunity rather than building something from the ground up." Lee Hurwitz, 4th-gen owner of Alber & Leff, joined Fuhrer as prexy of Fuhrer Bev Co, which began operating today.

At a time various gut pops have been going directly after soda in their marketing, Hint Water seems to be taking a similarly aggressive tack. Under recently hired CMO Amy Calhoun Robb, the SF-based marketer of unsweetened essence water this week launched a video campaign from Common Good agency whose first frame leaves no doubt about brand's stance: "Break sugar's spell." In move to define sodas as yesterday's news, comic posing as old-time show host takes stance alongside antique console TV to ask, "Ever wonder why you reach for a sugary drink when you're thirsty?" As TV clicks on to show generic soda and energy drinks against op-art background, he answers that with, "Because soda, sugars and sweeteners have been slowly brainwashing you to crave junk. Subversively sinister." Fortunately, "Hint created fruit-flavored water to break sugar's spell." "Watch your back, sugar," host warns ominously at conclusion of spot. This live-action phase of campaign had been seeded 3 weeks ago with animated effort that lampoon sodas and energy drinks via use of menacing characters who lose their bravado as Hint comes on the scene, prompting inquiry as to what's afoot.

Don't miss our 30th Annual Beer Insights Seminar in New York City, with a reception on Sunday evening Nov 17 and program all day Monday, November 18. The Seminar will take place at the Harmonie Club, one of NYC's most-storied private clubs founded in 1852. Fittingly for our 30th anniversary, we will bring you a fantastic program.

Makers of delta-8 THC snack and candy products like Stoneos, Trips Ahoy, Doweedos and Stoney Ranchers were among next set of cos to get warning letters from FDA & FTC this wk, agencies announced today. The cease-and-desist letters raise concerns about "deceptively similar" packages and brand names that look and sound a lot like existing food brands. "Those that prioritize profits in front of children's safety are at serious risk of legal action," director of FTC's consumer protection bureau Samuel Levine said in release. Same agencies sent letters along the same lines to group of producers, including makers of some D8 drinks, about a yr ago. This time focus is on lookalike candy, snack and cereal brands.

Prestige Beverage Group hired spirits mktg vet Dave McNulty as new marketing and trade veep, co announced earlier today. Dave most recently worked as cmo of Stoli Group for about 1 yr, but prior to that was with Diageo for nearly 19 yrs across various roles. Recall, Prestige Bev Group suddenly became a top-25 vendor in beer in natl Circana foodstores this yr, accelerating up triple-digits in recent mos (see Jun 28 issue). Yet it's primarily a wine & spirits supplier with brands like Kinky Liquer, Risata Wines, Windsor Canadian, Yes Way Rose, 2XO Kentucky Straight Bourbon and Siempre Tequila. Prestige's beer/malt bev sales in tracked scans are fueled by private label, sources suggested to INSIGHTS.

Dos Equis rose to become the #1 on-premise brand by $$ in Texas, Heineken shared citing NIQ CGA data for 52 wks thru mid-May, hitting 10.2 share as the #1 draft handle across the entire state. But the brand's looking to double down further on its sunbelt strong suit, launching new "Lucky" campaign including 2 tv spots dubbed Salt and Bottle Cap.