Marketing https://www.beverage-digest.com/rss en-us Celsius Holdings’ Plan for Acquired Rockstar Brand Takes Stage Celsius Energy went from being an underdog to the No. 3 energy drink in the US with a simple formula: broaden the base. Rather than competing for the traditional male energy drink consumer through testosterone-fueled marketing, Celsius Energy built its brand around flavor and a wellness-oriented identity that gave women and professionals who had never bought an energy drink permission to enter the category. Now, with the acquisition of Rockstar Energy from PepsiCo last year, parent company Celsius Holdings is tapping back into the category's roots to access the adrenaline and attitude that built the energy drink sector. “We’ve always been an in-your-face brand,” Celsius Holdings CMO Rishi Daing said of Rockstar, for which he is spearheading a marketing reset. “But we became a little too polished in recent years, maybe a little too sophisticated. Our consumers probably weren't finding that as relevant anymore.” Last month, Celsius Holdings launched a new “Live Loud” brand identity and marketing campaign, playing off Celsius Energy’s “Live. Fit. Go” brand positioning. The new Rockstar positioning comes with an aggressive push into music, action sports, and motorsports. Daing said... Celsius Energy went from being an underdog to the No. 3 energy drink in the US with a simple formula: broaden the base. Rather than competing for the traditional male energy drink consumer through testosterone-fueled marketing, Celsius Energy built its brand around flavor and a wellness-oriented identity that gave women and professionals who had never bought an energy drink permission to enter the category. Now, with the acquisition of Rockstar Energy from PepsiCo last year, parent company Celsius Holdings is tapping back into the category's roots to access the adrenaline and attitude that built the energy drink sector. “We’ve always been an in-your-face brand,” Celsius Holdings CMO Rishi Daing said of Rockstar, for which he is spearheading a marketing reset. “But we became a little too polished in recent years, maybe a little too sophisticated. Our consumers probably weren't finding that as relevant anymore.” Last month, Celsius Holdings launched a new “Live Loud” brand identity and marketing campaign, playing off Celsius Energy’s “Live. Fit. Go” brand positioning. The new Rockstar positioning comes with an aggressive push into music, action sports, and motorsports. Daing said...

]]> http://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1412 Fri, 15 May 2026 07:30:25 -0400 https://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1412-celsius-holdings-plan-for-acquired-rockstar-brand-takes-stage Territory Changes and Deals: Carlsberg, Brown-Forman. Keurig Dr Pepper. Big Geyser. Coke Consolidated. Nestle. 7-Eleven. Hopwtr. Suja. Coca-Cola Collection of key deals from around the industry so you don't miss a beat.. http://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1406 Thu, 23 Apr 2026 13:06:51 -0400 https://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1406-territory-changes-and-deals-carlsberg-brown-forman-keurig-dr-pepper-big-geyser-coke-consolidated-nestle-7-eleven-hopwtr-suja-coca-cola Briefs: Keurig Dr Pepper. PepsiCo Q1 results. C-Store Traffic. Energy Shelf Gains. Japan Vending. Aluminum Tariffs. EPS Targets Microplastics. Fever-Tree Campaign. Guru-PepsiCo Lawsuits. RFK Jr Pod. Trump Trolls Oz A collection of recent developments from around the industry to keep you up to speed... http://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1408 Thu, 23 Apr 2026 13:06:44 -0400 https://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1408-briefs-keurig-dr-pepper-pepsico-q1-results-c-store-traffic-energy-shelf-gains-japan-vending-aluminum-tariffs-eps-targets-microplastics-fever-tree-campaign-guru-pepsico-lawsuits-rfk-jr-pod-trump-trolls-oz McDonald’s Taking Red Bull Specialty Drink Test National McDonald’s plans to use Red Bull as a base for a new specialty blended beverage to debut across US locations in August. The chain will introduce Red Bull Dragonberry Energizer as part of a new specialty drink menu in the US this year. McDonald’s plans to use Red Bull as a base for a new specialty blended beverage to debut across US locations in August. The chain will introduce Red Bull Dragonberry Energizer as part of a new specialty drink menu in the US this year.

]]> http://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1402 Thu, 23 Apr 2026 13:06:03 -0400 https://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1402-mcdonalds-taking-red-bull-specialty-drink-test-national Coke Asserts Foodservice Leadership in New Marketing Campaign Coca-Cola recently launched the company’s first-ever national food service campaign in the US called "And a Coke." The campaign is organized around the idea that “nothing completes a meal like a Coke,” according to the company. The campaign is unique for... Coca-Cola recently launched the company’s first-ever national food service campaign in the US called "And a Coke." The campaign is organized around the idea that “nothing completes a meal like a Coke,” according to the company. The campaign is unique for...

]]> http://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1404 Thu, 23 Apr 2026 13:06:02 -0400 https://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1404-coke-asserts-foodservice-leadership-in-new-marketing-campaign People: Coke. Coke United. Ozarks Coke. Coke Içecek. Spindrift. The latest industry executive moves to keep you in the know... http://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1396 Wed, 25 Mar 2026 10:00:58 -0400 https://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1396-people-coke-coke-united-ozarks-coke-coke-icecek-spindrift Briefs: SNAP Soda Lawsuit. Latest 4-Week Category Results. CT Considers Soda Tax. Diet Coke on Social. New Coke, Sprite, Pibb Marketing. Beyond Meat Beverage Expansion. Mexico Wants More Sugar Coke. Coke Consolidated Plant Accident. A collection of recent developments from around the industry to keep you up to speed... http://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1397 Wed, 25 Mar 2026 10:00:34 -0400 https://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1397-briefs-snap-soda-lawsuit-latest-4-week-category-results-ct-considers-soda-tax-diet-coke-on-social-new-coke-sprite-pibb-marketing-beyond-meat-beverage-expansion-mexico-wants-more-sugar-coke-coke-consolidated-plant-accident Briefs: Bottled Water Category 2025 Results. KDP's Q4. Red States Sue Over Plastic Partnerships. Documentary Examines Jackson Pepsi Hair Fire A collection of recent developments from around the industry to keep you up to speed... http://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1389 Thu, 05 Mar 2026 07:30:54 -0500 https://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1389-briefs-bottled-water-category-2025-results-kdps-q4-red-states-sue-over-plastic-partnerships-documentary-examines-jackson-pepsi-hair-fire Former Bud Light Marketer Seeks Phoenix Moment With PHX Hydration Energy: Q&A Daniel Blake knows a little something about rising again. Three years ago, he took a leave of absence from Anheuser-Busch InBev after the conservative backlash against a Bud Light brand partnership with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney. Blake oversaw the marketer primarily responsible for the campaign. Many Bud Light distributors were angered as well as they lost almost a third of their sales during the controversy, after consumers boycotted the beer. Blake and his subordinate eventually left the company. Today, Blake is eight months into the US launch of his energy drink brand, PHX Hydration Energy. "I believe things happen for a reason," he said of the end of his Anheuser-Busch career. "And it's not the event itself that defines you — it's your response." Blake is founder and GM of One 11 Brands, which markets PHX (pronounced Phoenix). Following a three-market roll-out last year, PHX is expanding to 14 states this quarter. Blake has enlisted Barstool Sports Founder Dave Portnoy, a media personality and influencer known for pushing back against political correctness. Blake entered a US energy drink market dominated by three powerful competitors — Monster Beverage, Red Bull, and Celsius Holdings. Even more daunting, PHX is one of many challengers looking to carve out space in a crowded but growing category. US energy drink volume grew almost +10% at retail last year as dollar sales jumped +12%, as shown in the Green Sheet with this story. What Blake has going for him is distribution within the very Budweiser beer network that was at the center of his exit from AB InBev. Bud distributors have a track record of helping to build fast-growing energy drink brands such as Monster, Celsius, Alani Nu, Bang, and Ghost that would eventually leave for distribution partnerships or transactions with Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, and Keurig Dr Pepper. Those beer networks are now eager to replace the lost brands. In a recent interview — which has been condensed and edited for clarity — BD's Duane Stanford started by asking Blake how he plans to differentiate PHX? Daniel Blake knows a little something about rising again. Three years ago, he took a leave of absence from Anheuser-Busch InBev after the conservative backlash against a Bud Light brand partnership with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney. Blake oversaw the marketer primarily responsible for the campaign. Many Bud Light distributors were angered as well as they lost almost a third of their sales during the controversy, after consumers boycotted the beer. Blake and his subordinate eventually left the company. Today, Blake is eight months into the US launch of his energy drink brand, PHX Hydration Energy. "I believe things happen for a reason," he said of the end of his Anheuser-Busch career. "And it's not the event itself that defines you — it's your response." Blake is founder and GM of One 11 Brands, which markets PHX (pronounced Phoenix). Following a three-market roll-out last year, PHX is expanding to 14 states this quarter. Blake has enlisted Barstool Sports Founder Dave Portnoy, a media personality and influencer known for pushing back against political correctness. Blake entered a US energy drink market dominated by three powerful competitors — Monster Beverage, Red Bull, and Celsius Holdings. Even more daunting, PHX is one of many challengers looking to carve out space in a crowded but growing category. US energy drink volume grew almost +10% at retail last year as dollar sales jumped +12%, as shown in the Green Sheet with this story. What Blake has going for him is distribution within the very Budweiser beer network that was at the center of his exit from AB InBev. Bud distributors have a track record of helping to build fast-growing energy drink brands such as Monster, Celsius, Alani Nu, Bang, and Ghost that would eventually leave for distribution partnerships or transactions with Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, and Keurig Dr Pepper. Those beer networks are now eager to replace the lost brands. In a recent interview — which has been condensed and edited for clarity — BD's Duane Stanford started by asking Blake how he plans to differentiate PHX?

]]> http://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1383 Thu, 05 Mar 2026 07:20:23 -0500 https://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1383-former-bud-light-marketer-seeks-phoenix-moment-with-phx-hydration-energy-q-and-a Cover Web.jpg Noteworthy Launches: Maison Perrier. Sprite. Jack & Coke. Canada Dry. Sparkling Ice. Waterloo. Unwell Energy. Liquid Youth Maison Perrier has launched a sweetened sparkling water with prebiotics called French Kiss in flavors Blackberry & Lemon, Peach & Cherry, Mango & Coconut, and Raspberry & Lime... Maison Perrier has launched a sweetened sparkling water with prebiotics called French Kiss in flavors Blackberry & Lemon, Peach & Cherry, Mango & Coconut, and Raspberry & Lime...

]]> http://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1382 Tue, 17 Feb 2026 08:00:54 -0500 https://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1382-noteworthy-launches-maison-perrier-sprite-jack-and-coke-canada-dry-sparkling-ice-waterloo-unwell-energy-liquid-youth Briefs: Coke's Braun Sets Agenda. C-Store Traffic Decline. Texas Warning Labels Stopped. FDA Eases Color Regs. And More A collection of recent developments from around the industry to keep you up to speed... http://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1381 Tue, 17 Feb 2026 08:00:50 -0500 https://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1381-briefs-cokes-braun-sets-agenda-c-store-traffic-decline-texas-warning-labels-stopped-fda-eases-color-regs-and-more Opening Thoughts: From PMS to Skin care, Niche Brands Focus on Women Liquid Youth, a brand highlighted in today's Noteworthy Launches, is part of a spate of health and wellness beverages seemingly—or explicitly—aimed at women. The collagen water is “designed to nourish your skin, hair, nails, and joints, empowering your beauty from the inside out." The drink, packed in... Liquid Youth, a brand highlighted in today's Noteworthy Launches, is part of a spate of health and wellness beverages seemingly—or explicitly—aimed at women. The collagen water is “designed to nourish your skin, hair, nails, and joints, empowering your beauty from the inside out." The drink, packed in...

]]> http://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1378 Tue, 17 Feb 2026 08:00:43 -0500 https://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1378-opening-thoughts-february-17-2026 People: Nowadays. PepsiCo Italy. Cove Soda. Danone. The latest industry executive moves to keep you in the know... http://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1371 Wed, 04 Feb 2026 10:27:00 -0500 https://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1371-people-nowadays-pepsico-italy-cove-soda-danone Report: Red Bull, Coke, Gamer Supps Top Influencer Marketing ROI Leaderboard Red Bull topped a list of non-alcoholic beverage brands that generated the highest return on investment for influencer marketing last year, according to CreatorIQ, which helps brands track and manage influencer marketing programs. The firm developed a proprietary metric called Earned Media Value (EMV) to benchmark and evaluate the effectiveness of influencer campaigns in engaging consumers. The top-10 ranking shows... Red Bull topped a list of non-alcoholic beverage brands that generated the highest return on investment for influencer marketing last year, according to CreatorIQ, which helps brands track and manage influencer marketing programs. The firm developed a proprietary metric called Earned Media Value (EMV) to benchmark and evaluate the effectiveness of influencer campaigns in engaging consumers. The top-10 ranking shows...

]]> http://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1369 Wed, 04 Feb 2026 10:25:19 -0500 https://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1369-report-red-bull-coke-gamer-supps-top-influencer-marketing-roi-leaderboard Briefs: PepsiCo Q4 Results. Super Bowl Ads. Cane Sugar Coke. Coke's Quincey Pops Top. Dr Pepper Viral Jingle. Jack & Coke Slims. Non-UPF Spindrift. GLP-1 Study Ping Pong. A collection of recent developments from around the industry to keep you up to speed... http://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1372 Wed, 04 Feb 2026 10:10:58 -0500 https://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1372-briefs-pepsico-q4-results-super-bowl-ads-cane-sugar-coke-cokes-quincey-pops-top-dr-pepper-viral-jingle-jack-and-coke-slims-non-upf-spindrift-glp-1-study-ping-pong FS25 Recap: Coke, Pepsi Bottlers Chart Path Forward Amid Industry Transformation Two senior executives from major soft drink bottlers shared insights during BD’s recent Future Smarts conference into how their bottling organizations are navigating everything from evolving consumer preferences to capital expenditures in the age of technology. Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages President Jean-Claude Tissot and Admiral Beverage EVP and General... Two senior executives from major soft drink bottlers shared insights during BD’s recent Future Smarts conference into how their bottling organizations are navigating everything from evolving consumer preferences to capital expenditures in the age of technology. Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages President Jean-Claude Tissot and Admiral Beverage EVP and General...

]]> http://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1359 Wed, 14 Jan 2026 10:04:39 -0500 https://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1359-fs25-recap-coke-pepsi-bottlers-chart-path-forward-amid-industry-transformation Noteworthy Launches: BodyArmor; Sprite; Monster Energy; Poppi; Phorm Energy; Hunnee; Sanpellegrino Coca-Cola has launched a BodyArmor Flash I.V. Caffeine Zero Sugar variant in flavors Pineapple Passionfruit and Watermelon Punch. The sports drink contains 95mg of caffeine.... Coca-Cola has launched a BodyArmor Flash I.V. Caffeine Zero Sugar variant in flavors Pineapple Passionfruit and Watermelon Punch. The sports drink contains 95mg of caffeine....

]]> http://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1365 Wed, 14 Jan 2026 10:03:56 -0500 https://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1365-noteworthy-launches-bodyarmor-sprite-monster-energy-poppi-phorm-energy-hunee-sanpellegrino Briefs: Fairlife Capacity; RTD Protein, Coffee, Tea Results [Green Sheets]; Alani Nu Transition to PepsiCo; Tik Tok Deal A collection of recent developments from around the industry to keep you up to speed... http://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1356 Mon, 22 Dec 2025 07:44:06 -0500 https://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1356-briefs-fairlife-capacity-rtd-protein-coffee-tea-results-green-sheets-alani-nu-transition-to-pepsico-tik-tok-deal FS25: Coke, Keurig Dr Pepper CMOs Break Down Technology Drivers Technology Boosts Coke’s Marketing Effectiveness Up to +300% Keurig Dr Pepper Hires from Oracle, Google Brand AI Agents Assist KDP Marketers on Packaging, Advertising, Sales Beverage Digest hosted on-stage conversations with the global CMOs of both Coca-Cola and Keurig Dr Pepper during its Future Smarts conference in New York on Dec. 15. The thrust of the discussion centered on digital technology — including artificial intelligence — in marketing operations, data-driven... Technology Boosts Coke’s Marketing Effectiveness Up to +300%

Keurig Dr Pepper Hires from Oracle, Google

Brand AI Agents Assist KDP Marketers on Packaging, Advertising, Sales

Beverage Digest hosted on-stage conversations with the global CMOs of both Coca-Cola and Keurig Dr Pepper during its Future Smarts conference in New York on Dec. 15. The thrust of the discussion centered on digital technology — including artificial intelligence — in marketing operations, data-driven...

]]> http://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1352 Mon, 22 Dec 2025 07:27:24 -0500 https://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1352-fs25-coke-keurig-dr-pepper-cmos-break-down-technology-drivers Opening Thoughts: Dipping Into F1 I got the chance to join a friend in Las Vegas for the Formula 1 Heineken Las Vegas Grand Prix late last month. This global motor sport has captured the attention of young US consumers, and brands are piling in with sponsorships to attach themselves to the fervor. In October, Apple agreed to pay a reported $750 million for exclusive rights to broadcast F1 races for US audiences for the next five years. Coca-Cola first put its name on an F1 car, a McLaren, in 2019. Just this week, PepsiCo announced a global partnership with the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team starting next year. Mercedes is among the most valuable and elite teams in open wheel F1 racing. The marketing partnership covers... I got the chance to join a friend in Las Vegas for the Formula 1 Heineken Las Vegas Grand Prix late last month. This global motor sport has captured the attention of young US consumers, and brands are piling in with sponsorships to attach themselves to the fervor. In October, Apple agreed to pay a reported $750 million for exclusive rights to broadcast F1 races for US audiences for the next five years. Coca-Cola first put its name on an F1 car, a McLaren, in 2019.

Just this week, PepsiCo announced a global partnership with the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team starting next year. Mercedes is among the most valuable and elite teams in open wheel F1 racing. The marketing partnership covers...

]]> http://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1342 Wed, 03 Dec 2025 11:00:43 -0500 https://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1342-opening-thoughts-december-3-2025 Coke Flagship Posted -3.4% Dollar Decline at US Retail in First Nine Months of 2025. Volume down -8.0% Category Dollars Grew +4.3% at US Retail. Volume Fell Slightly PepsiCo’s CSD Portfolio Lost Share. KDP’s Portfolio Gained The Coca-Cola Co’s surprising carbonated soft drink (CSD) decline, driven by brand Coke, continued into the third quarter of 2025 at US retail as the Trump Administration’s aggressive immigration enforcement kept Hispanic consumers away from stores and some consumers ... Category Dollars Grew +4.3% at US Retail. Volume Fell Slightly

PepsiCo’s CSD Portfolio Lost Share. KDP’s Portfolio Gained

The Coca-Cola Co’s surprising carbonated soft drink (CSD) decline, driven by brand Coke, continued into the third quarter of 2025 at US retail as the Trump Administration’s aggressive immigration enforcement kept Hispanic consumers away from stores and some consumers ...

]]> http://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1333 Wed, 19 Nov 2025 08:51:38 -0500 https://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1333-coke-flagship-posted-34-dollar-decline-at-us-retail-in-first-nine-month-of-2025-volume-down-80 Noteworthy Product Launches: Red Bull. Monster. Phorm. Bloom. Gorgie. Slice. Cheerwine. Halfday. Lipton Hard Iced Tea Red Bull has launched a Fuji Apple & Ginger flavor as its most recent Winter Edition extension. Monster Beverage has added a passionfruit and citrus flavored... Red Bull has launched a Fuji Apple & Ginger flavor as its most recent Winter Edition extension.

Monster Beverage has added a passionfruit and citrus flavored...

]]> http://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1338 Wed, 19 Nov 2025 08:02:09 -0500 https://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1338-noteworthy-product-launches-red-bull-monster-phorm-bloom-gorgie-slice-cheerwine-halfday-lipton-hard-iced-tea Briefs: Sparking Water Performance at Retail. Non-UPF Certification. Push for National Safety Ingredient Law. EU Investigates Red Bull. Obesity Drug Expansion. New Dietary Guidelines Coming. Coke Holiday AI Ad 2.0 SPARKLING WATER CATEGORY GREW. The US sparkling water category grew +2.6% by volume and +7.2% by dollars at retail for the first nine months of 2025, according to BD data. As shown in the Green Sheet with this report, volume leader LaCroix by National Beverage posted volume and dollar sales... SPARKLING WATER CATEGORY GREW. The US sparkling water category grew +2.6% by volume and +7.2% by dollars at retail for the first nine months of 2025, according to BD data. As shown in the Green Sheet with this report, volume leader LaCroix by National Beverage posted volume and dollar sales...

]]> http://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1337 Wed, 19 Nov 2025 07:00:33 -0500 https://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1337-briefs-sparking-water-performance-at-retail-non-upf-certification-push-for-national-safety-ingredient-law-eu-investigates-red-bull-obesity-drug-expansion-new-dietary-guidelines-coming-coke-holiday-ai-ad-20 Opening Thoughts: Big Insights Planned for Future Smarts 2025 Our Future Smarts 2025 speaker lineup is set. Get ready for a power packed day on Dec. 15 in New York City. Just this week, we announced PepsiCo Beverages US CEO Ram Krishnan. He joins the conference as investors pay renewed attention to PepsiCo’s performance and structure. On stage, Ram and I will discuss the product, consumer, retail, and economic changes that are shaping PepsiCo’s beverage business. Last week, we announced the addition of Keurig Dr Pepper CMO Drew Panayiotou. He, too, joins at a pivotal time, as KDP looks to close the $18 billion acquisition of JDE Peet’s before separating its coffee and refreshment beverage businesses. We’ll discuss how Drew’s team is enticing consumers of both portfolios. We’ll also spend time with another high-profile marketing leader: Coca-Cola Global CMO Manolo Arroyo. Of high interest in this discussion is how technology, such as AI, and social media are influencing marketing investment and organizational decisions. And this will be compelling: Monster Beverage Co-founder Rodney Sacks will discuss the soaring energy drink category he helped forge over two decades on the way to building a $7.5 billion global powerhouse with a $65 billion market cap. I will be honored as well to present Rodney with the Beverage Digest Visionary Award. Past honorees have included the late PepsiCo CEO Don Kendall and the late Coca-Cola President and COO Don Keough. No Future Smarts event is complete without the presence of our beverage bottling community. This year, we’ll hear from Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages President Jean Claude Tissot, as well as from Kelly Clay, president and CEO of Pepsi bottler Admiral Beverage. These leaders are experts on local market execution, the retail landscape, and just about anything else beverage related. We’ve also assembled a panel to dissect one of the hottest beverage trends: Hemp-based ready-to-drink THC. The category is on a regulatory roller coaster ride. Brand owners Drea Groeschel of Better Than Booze and David Mukpo of Pamos Cannabis Cocktails & Spirits will illuminate this challenging and potentially lucrative category. To help make sense of the ever changing regulatory haze, cannabis and hemp Attorney Seth Goldberg of Pashman Stein Walder Hayden will join the panel as well.Experts from our conference sponsor EY will share insights on industry disruptors and the future of beverages. You’ll hear from Americas Beverage Sector Leader Sean Harapko, EY-Parthenon Partner and Beverage Transactions Leader Greg Miller, and Former Chief Digital Transformation Officer and EY Executive in Residence Dan Werth. Future Smarts 2025 will tackle regulatory issues and Wall Street views, too. Our popular sell-side analyst panel will feature Kaumil Gajrawala from Jefferies, Bonnie Herzog from Goldman Sachs, and Nik Modi from RBC Capital Markets. In an additional session, Nik will use data to dive into several topics our readers often ask us about. Plus, American Beverage President and CEO Kevin Keane will help assess everything from ingredient regulation to SNAP soda bans and what’s being done to create a constructive outcome. This is another Future Smarts you don’t want to miss. Our Future Smarts 2025 speaker lineup is set. Get ready for a power packed day on Dec. 15 in New York City.

Just this week, we announced PepsiCo Beverages US CEO Ram Krishnan. He joins the conference as investors pay renewed attention to PepsiCo’s performance and structure. On stage, Ram and I will discuss the product, consumer, retail, and economic changes that are shaping PepsiCo’s beverage business.

Last week, we announced the addition of Keurig Dr Pepper CMO Drew Panayiotou. He, too, joins at a pivotal time, as KDP looks to close the $18 billion acquisition of JDE Peet’s before separating its coffee and refreshment beverage businesses. We’ll discuss how Drew’s team is enticing consumers of both portfolios.

We’ll also spend time with another high-profile marketing leader: Coca-Cola Global CMO Manolo Arroyo. Of high interest in this discussion is how technology, such as AI, and social media are influencing marketing investment and organizational decisions.

And this will be compelling: Monster Beverage Co-founder Rodney Sacks will discuss the soaring energy drink category he helped forge over two decades on the way to building a $7.5 billion global powerhouse with a $65 billion market cap. I will be honored as well to present Rodney with the Beverage Digest Visionary Award. Past honorees have included the late PepsiCo CEO Don Kendall and the late Coca-Cola President and COO Don Keough.

No Future Smarts event is complete without the presence of our beverage bottling community. This year, we’ll hear from Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages President Jean Claude Tissot, as well as from Kelly Clay, president and CEO of Pepsi bottler Admiral Beverage. These leaders are experts on local market execution, the retail landscape, and just about anything else beverage related.

We’ve also assembled a panel to dissect one of the hottest beverage trends: Hemp-based ready-to-drink THC. The category is on a regulatory roller coaster ride. Brand owners Drea Groeschel of Better Than Booze and David Mukpo of Pamos Cannabis Cocktails & Spirits will illuminate this challenging and potentially lucrative category. To help make sense of the ever changing regulatory haze, cannabis and hemp Attorney Seth Goldberg of Pashman Stein Walder Hayden will join the panel as well.

Experts from our conference sponsor EY will share insights on industry disruptors and the future of beverages. You’ll hear from Americas Beverage Sector Leader Sean Harapko, EY-Parthenon Partner and Beverage Transactions Leader Greg Miller, and Former Chief Digital Transformation Officer and EY Executive in Residence Dan Werth.

Future Smarts 2025 will tackle regulatory issues and Wall Street views, too. Our popular sell-side analyst panel will feature Kaumil Gajrawala from Jefferies, Bonnie Herzog from Goldman Sachs, and Nik Modi from RBC Capital Markets. In an additional session, Nik will use data to dive into several topics our readers often ask us about. Plus, American Beverage President and CEO Kevin Keane will help assess everything from ingredient regulation to SNAP soda bans and what’s being done to create a constructive outcome.

This is another Future Smarts you don’t want to miss.

]]> http://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1323 Wed, 05 Nov 2025 09:47:59 -0500 https://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1323-opening-thoughts-big-insights-planned-for-future-smarts-2025 What We Learned from KDP, PEP, KO During 3Q Report Cards The third quarter earnings season brought a series of critical progress reports from Keurig Dr Pepper, PepsiCo, Coca-Cola at a time of global consumer volatility. The period also comes as KDP prepares for a massive strategic change and PepsiCo faces activist investor pressure. The following are key takeaways from the companies’ reports... The third quarter earnings season brought a series of critical progress reports from Keurig Dr Pepper, PepsiCo, Coca-Cola at a time of global consumer volatility. The period also comes as KDP prepares for a massive strategic change and PepsiCo faces activist investor pressure. The following are key takeaways from the companies’ reports...

]]> http://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1325 Wed, 05 Nov 2025 09:45:41 -0500 https://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1325-what-we-learned-from-kdp-pep-ko-during-3q-report-cards Briefs: New PepsiCo Logo; Coke Southwest Recall; SNAP Halt; Whole Foods Adds Brands Like Pepsi; Social Media Shopping Survey; Mexico-Coke Calorie Deal; Ultra-Processed Food Defined in CA A collection of recent developments from around the industry to keep you up to speed... http://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1329 Wed, 05 Nov 2025 09:45:18 -0500 https://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1329-briefs-new-pepsico-logo-coke-southwest-recall-snap-halt-whole-foods-adds-brands-like-pepsi-social-media-shopping-survey-mexico-coke-calorie-deal-ultra-processed-food-defined-in-ca Noteworthy Launches: Syncron; Cycle; Unwell Hydration; Red Bull; Coke; Dr Pepper Mashups Performance beverage brand Syncron has launched a line of pre-workout and post-workout beverages developed with MLB baseball star Shohei Ohtani, who just led the Los Angeles Dodgers to the team’s second straight World Series Championship. The drinks contain L-citrulline, L-arginine, taurine, and BCAAs for energy and recovery, then company said... Performance beverage brand Syncron has launched a line of pre-workout and post-workout beverages developed with MLB baseball star Shohei Ohtani, who just led the Los Angeles Dodgers to the team’s second straight World Series Championship. The drinks contain L-citrulline, L-arginine, taurine, and BCAAs for energy and recovery, then company said...

]]> http://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1330 Wed, 05 Nov 2025 09:45:16 -0500 https://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1330-noteworthy-product-launches-syncron-cycle-unwell-hydration-red-bull-coke-dr-pepper-mashups PepsiCo Readies Dirty Mountain Dew Launch for Early 2026 PepsiCo’s Mountain Dew brand will get in on the dirty soda trend with a Dirty Mountain Dew to roll out early next year. PepsiCo will launch the Cream Soda Dew flavor nationally in regular and zero sugar options after a ... PepsiCo’s Mountain Dew brand will get in on the dirty soda trend with a Dirty Mountain Dew to roll out early next year. PepsiCo will launch the Cream Soda Dew flavor nationally in regular and zero sugar options after a ...

]]> http://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1315 Wed, 08 Oct 2025 07:50:51 -0400 https://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1315-pepsico-readies-dirty-mountain-dew-launch-for-early-2026 Briefs: Consumer Sentiment Falls Again. Walmart Adds 'Modern Hydration' Set. ABA Panel With Breitbart. Save Tab Group Still Rolls. A collection of recent developments from around the industry to keep you up to speed... http://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1318 Wed, 08 Oct 2025 07:47:33 -0400 https://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1318-briefs-consumer-sentiment-falls-again-walmart-adds-modern-hydration-set-aba-panel-with-breitbart-save-tab-group-still-rolls PepsiCo Hands Over Energy Strategy to Celsius Holdings. Plus, Q&A PepsiCo Hands Over Energy Strategy to Celsius Holdings Celsius Now Owns Rockstar. Alani Nu Moves to Pepsi Trucks. Daing Named CMO. Q&A: US Beverage CEO Krishnan Discusses Deal Rationale Celsius Holdings announced this morning that former PepsiCo and Mark Anthony Brands marketer Rishi Daing has been hired as CMO. This comes a little more than a week after Celsius Holdings and PepsiCo announced... PepsiCo Hands Over Energy Strategy to Celsius Holdings

Celsius Now Owns Rockstar. Alani Nu Moves to Pepsi Trucks. Daing Named CMO.

Q&A: US Beverage CEO Krishnan Discusses Deal Rationale

Celsius Holdings announced this morning that former PepsiCo and Mark Anthony Brands marketer Rishi Daing has been hired as CMO. This comes a little more than a week after Celsius Holdings and PepsiCo announced...

]]> http://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1298 Mon, 08 Sep 2025 11:00:24 -0400 https://www.beverage-digest.com/articles/1298-pepsico-hands-over-energy-strategy-to-celsius-holdings