The speaker lineup for our Dec. 7 virtual Future Smarts conference is set. And it’s top-notch. We’ve recently confirmed our final addition, Henrik Jelert, who is EVP for ReadyRefresh at Nestle Waters North America. This direct-to-consumer unit has navigated higher demand for at- home beverage delivery and a slow-down in workplace consumption during the COVID-19 crisis. He and I will discuss challenges and opportunities, while looking ahead to what comes after the pandemic. We’ll also bring Molson Coors Beverage into the Future Smarts fold for the first time. . .

Earlier this month, PepsiCo CEO Ramon Laguarta announced a set of initiatives and related spending aimed at Hispanic businesses, consumers, communities and employees. Some of that work will pass through the relatively new Hispanic Business Unit of PepsiCo Beverages North America (PBNA), which is now in its third year. In 2020, the company added a similar unit for PepsiCo Foods North America. BD reached out to Esperanza Teasdale, the VP and GM who leads the Hispanic Business Unit for beverages, reporting to PBNA CMO Greg Lyons. Teasdale discussed her team’s work to capture a greater share of the $2.6 trillion in annual spending in the US by Hispanic consumers. As she put it, that market would be equivalent to the eighth largest country in the world. The following has been edited for clarity and space:

BioSteel, the Canopy Growth-backed upstart looking to break into the US ready-to- drink sports hydration category, will announce today a distribution deal with ...

 Late last year, Molson Coors replaced “Brewery” with “Beverage” in the company’s name as it looked to expand beyond alcohol “to other growth adjacencies.” Eleven months later, the company has taken the first product-related steps...Includes an infographic illustrating Molson Coors’ emerging non-alcoholic beverage activity. (PLUS: Story updated 10/1/20 with developments since original publication.) 

A new ad campaign from Gatorade’s Bolt24 will, for the first time, directly challenge Bodyarmor’s aura as a healthier sports drink. Starting late this month ...