For the past decade, Coca-Cola and PepsiCo have diverged in the US when it comes to soft drink distribution strategy. Coke owns no soda distribution operations, leaving that in recent years to independent franchised bottlers. On the other hand, PepsiCo owns and operates most of its US bottling distribution system. Now that both companies are seeking a growth path through alcoholic beverages, their strategies in the US have diverged once again.
As you’ll read in today’s issue, PepsiCo is going all-in on the distribution of alcoholic beverages such as Hard Mtn Dew with its Blue Cloud Distribution subsidiary. The company appears...
Coca-Cola has established a federally permitted alcohol subsidiary called Red Tree Beverages to further explore the US alcohol beverage business, Coke’s Chief of New Revenue Streams Dan White told BD in an interview. The unit, created late last year and “firewalled” from Coca-Cola’s non-alcoholic operations, is permitted to participate in marketing and strategy around ready-to-drink alcohol brands based on Coke trademarks that are produced by third parties including...
Interview: 'We’re Created to Honor the Three-Tier System.’
July 25, 2023
Despite PepsiCo’s considerable work to keep its Blue Cloud alcohol distribution operation separate from its non-alcoholic business, the subsidiary has become a magnet for criticism as it forges new ground in the highly regulated and competitive US alcohol beverage market. In a new interview, Blue Cloud Distribution GM Emiliano Di Vincenzo, and Blue Cloud Chief Legal Officer Randy Liebowitz, said the organization has...
Firewalled, Permitted Entity Can 'Further Engage' in Alcohol Marketing and Strategy, Exec Says
July 14, 2023
Coca-Cola has established a federally permitted alcohol subsidiary called Red Tree Beverages to further explore the US alcohol beverage business, Coke’s Chief of New Revenue Streams Dan White told BD in an interview. The unit, created late last year and “firewalled” from Coca-Cola’s non-alcoholic operations, is permitted to...
Nestle-owned Nuun has introduced a non-fizzy Sport Hydration Electrolyte Powder Drink Mix that is packaged in sticks instead of Nuun’s usual tablets. The powder sticks come in...
Coca-Cola has added a new limited time offering to its Creations line in partnership with video game publisher Riot Games. Coca-Cola Ultimate is based on the hit video game League of Legends. The flavor is named...
The following is transcript of Beverage Digest's podcast, The Breeze, Episode 5. In this episode, industry expert John Sicher joins Beverage Digest Editor and Publisher Duane Stanford to break down their top takeaways from the just-released 28th Edition of Beverage Digest’s Fact Book. The Fact Book captures performance results for the full non-alcoholic drinks market, not just what’s measured by store scanners. That includes everything from groceries to the fountain channel, where a lot of brand activity happens. Listen in as they talk shop.
Coca-Cola’s Topo Chico sparkling water brand has launched a premium line infused with fruit juice and herbal extracts called Topo Chico Sabores. Flavors are Tangerine with Ginger, Blueberry with Hibiscus, and Lime with Mint.
Chamberlain Coffee, the bagged coffee brand founded by YouTube influencer Emma Chamberlain, has launched a line of ready-to-drink canned lattes through Walmart. Flavors are Cold Brew Latte, Mocha Latte, Cinnamon Bun Latte, and Vanilla Latte....