Shows
CPG Operator PodcastA Quick Note From BevNET LiveHope to see many of you at BevNET Live this week on June 10 + 11 in NYC! And for everybody else, we'll get back to our regularly scheduled podcast next week. Thanks for being part of our community!
2026-06-0801 min
CPG Operator PodcastWhat You Need to Know Before BevNET Live with Editor-in-Chief Jeff KlinemanGetting ready for BevNet Live June 10–11 in New York City? Or on the fence? BevNet's Editor-in-Chief, Jeff Klineman, walks through a practical "how to do BevNet Live" guide — covering the agenda, key speakers, and how to make the most of every hour at the show. We cover: Tips on how to get the most out of networking, speaker presentations, 1:1 meetings with retailers and investors, and everything else at the show What you need to do at BevNET Live and what you can catch up on when you're back home Agenda highlights from...
2026-06-0235 min
The Startup CPG Podcast#246 - BevNET 101 with John CravenIn this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, host Daniel Scharff sits down with John Craven, founder and CEO of BevNET, to trace the remarkable 30-year journey of one of CPG media's most essential platforms. From a college web project in 1996 to a full media empire spanning BevNET, Nosh, Brewbound, live events, and multiple podcasts, John shares the origin story, the industry inflection points, and the hard-won wisdom that comes from watching hundreds of brands rise, pivot, and exit.John opens with a vivid picture of the CPG world he entered — one where Snapple and Ar...
2026-04-2845 min
CPG Operator PodcastExpo West 2026 Hit List: The Trends, Brands, and Big Bets We're Looking ForExpo West 2026 is here and the BevNET and NOSH team is sharing what's at the top of their hit list. Managing editors Martín Caballero and Monica Watrous break down the biggest trends they expect to see on the show floor, from protein and fiber trends, to seed oil free formulations, regenerative ingredients, functional fatigue, GLP-1 friendly products, nostalgic flavors, and more. Can't wait to see you all at the show!!
2026-03-0232 min
CPG Operator PodcastWhy Some Brands Win at Expo West and Others Just Show UpIf you spend tens of thousands of dollars to exhibit to be at Expo West but get swallowed up by the noise, was it even worth being there at all? In this episode, Marty Caballero and Mike Schneider from BevNET CPG Media talk about why some brands leave Expo West with real momentum while others quietly fade into the background. They break down how media coverage is planned, why timing matters, what is actually worth announcing, and how early decisions shape booth traffic and buyer awareness. We'll focus on the simple planning most brands skip...
2026-02-0338 min
CPG Week by BevNET & NoshA Sneak Peek At Nosh Live & BevNET LiveIn this episode: This week on the podcast, Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous and senior reporter Lukas Southard share highlights of Nosh Live and BevNET Live, held Dec. 4-5 and Dec. 7-9, respectively, in Marina del Rey, Calif. Show Highlights: 0:15 - Monica kicks off the episode with a preview of Nosh Live 2025, highlighting sessions with the leaders of Khloud Foods, Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams and other breakout brands. 1:20 - Discussions at the two-day event will also touch on retailer decision making, a look at the state of startup funding, regional-to-national expansion an...
2025-12-0407 min
High Spirits: The Cannabis Business Podcast#114 - What Comes Next for Hemp THC Beverages w/ Martín Caballero, Managing Editor at BevNET.comWe unpack the 365-day clock facing hemp-derived THC beverages, why the category exploded, and how a policy rider vaulted prohibition-style limits into law. Martín Caballero of BevNet joins us to map realistic paths forward, where coalition power lives, and what compromises might actually work.• why hemp-derived THC drinks resonated with mainstream shoppers• how a funding bill rider created the new 0.4 mg per package limit• why fragmented advocacy loses to unified, well-funded lobbies• lessons from retailers and distributors who want the shelf to stay• a pragmatic path: low-dose through three tiers, higher dose in cannabis...
2025-11-2153 min
CPG Operator PodcastWhat Not to Miss at BevNET Live Summer 2025Headed to BevNET Live? Or still deciding?? In this episode, Jeff Klineman shares a bts look at how the show comes together and what to watch for if you're focused on building a profitable brand. From key sessions to the people you need to meet, Jeff offers tips to help you navigate with purpose. Whether you're looking to connect with investors, retailers, or future partners, we've got advice to help you make it count. Plus, Sarah Casagrande, Principal at Generation CPG, shares what she's most excited about this year.
2025-06-0328 min
CPG Operator PodcastThe New Rules of Consumer Behavior Around Responsible CPG PackagingConsumers say they want sustainable packaging, but what do they actually care about, and how can brands deliver without tanking margins? Martin Caballero (BevNET), Simon Gainey (Hard Working Packaging), and Benjamin Puncher (Mintel) unpack it all, from the power of clear front-of-pack messaging to the value of recyclable materials and packaging that reinforces brand identity. They spotlight brands like Liquid Death, which prove that when sustainability is woven into the core story and executed in a way that feels authentic, it can drive consumer connection and strengthen the bottom line.
2025-04-2241 min
CPG Operator PodcastIntroducing...Nombase!We're launching something BIG at BevNET, NOSH, and Brewbound, and you're invited to be the first to see it! Introducing Nombase — a new digital community and directory built for the CPG world. Nombase connects CPG professionals with trusted industry partners, AI-powered insights, timely conversations, company announcements, and job opportunities — all in one place. Join us for an exclusive overview, product demo, and info on how to take advantage of what Nombase has to offer you.
2025-03-1311 min
CPG Operator PodcastWe're Cooking Up Something Big!The Community Call podcast is taking a short break as we gear up for something big and exciting here at BevNET, NOSH, and Brewbound. Stay tuned for what's next!
2025-01-3000 min
Innovating Cannabis Podcast130_BevNET Founder, John Craven Shares Beverage Industry InsightsBevNET is a media company focused on the mainstream beverage industry that includes producing one of the country's top beverage industry trade shows in Los Angeles and NYC each year. BevNet also creates CPG food and drink-focused podcasts, networking events, and a print magazine. I interviewed BevNet's founder, John Craven, to get insights into the mainstream beverage industry that might be applied to cannabis beverages. If you are thinking of launching a cannabis beverage or want insights into the sector-- listen in. John is a sought after expert on beverages and drops knowledge worth listening to. https://w...
2025-01-2740 min
CPG Operator PodcastCPG Brand Investment: Lessons from 2024, Opportunities for 202Bevnet's Editor-in-Chief, Jeff Kleinman, unpacks the key trends and shifts from 2024, and shares insights on the 2025 investment landscape. We'll discuss the changing M&A and corporate venturing dynamics, and the implications for emerging brands seeking funding. Jeff offers strategic advice for founders on positioning their businesses to attract investor attention, and the importance of financial discipline. We explore how economic conditions affect capital for consumer brands, providing insights into the CPG investment landscape and tips for navigating 2025.
2025-01-1448 min
CPG Operator PodcastNIQ: On-Premise RTD Beverage Winners and Their Impact on the Category's FutureThe NIQ On-Premise team shares their latest data on RTD beverage trends, highlighting the biggest opportunities for brands. Joining the conversation are Ben Tilton and Matt Crompton of NIQ On-Premise, along with Ferron Salniker, BevNET's spirits editor. Together, we'll explore the size of the RTD opportunity, key consumer demographics, channels of note, and evolving preferences around convenience, quality, and value. We'll also dive into emerging non-alcoholic RTD trends and strategies for brands navigating the on-premise landscape.
2024-12-2353 min
Taste RadioWhy Winners Win (And Will Continue To Do So)The grind is real. And fun as heck. Exhausted, but buoyant, the hosts recap NOSH and BevNET's just-concluded winter events and specifically highlight the three pitch slam competitions and how each respective winner successfully communicated the traction and potential for their brands. Show notes: 0:25: Bowels & Beer. The Squish Wins. Viviana Approves. R Roll. Swag & Walnuts. NA FTW. Ask Away. – In the Taste Radio studio at the Marina Del Rey Marriott, the hosts chat about NOSH Live Pitch Slam winner Mochi Love and how differentiation made difference in the competition. They also talk about soju-based RTD co...
2024-12-1624 min
CPG Week by BevNET & NoshBevNET Live TeaserIn this episode: It's that time of year and the red-and-white is not in honor of Santa's impending sleigh ride around the world. It's time for BevNET Live and the CPG Week podcast team took some time out of preparing for both Nosh Live and BevNET Live to discuss some of the exciting speakers and panels taking place Dec. 8 and 9 in Marina Del Rey, Calif. Along with respective speaker discussions focused on retailing THC beverages and innovative marketing strategies, the team also talks about buying expensive Erewhon smoothies and getting tattoos. For listeners looking to...
2024-12-0507 min
CPG Operator PodcastWhile We're Away at BevNET Live, Nosh Live, and Brewbound LiveIf you're headed to Nosh Live, BevNET Live, and/or Brewbound Live, we've got a GREAT show lined up for you. Make sure you come say hello and introduce yourself! And, if you're at home this year, catch the free livestream on Nosh.com, BevNET.com, and Brewbound.com
2024-12-0402 min
CPG Operator PodcastOnce Upon a Time in a Boston College Dorm Room...BevNET started in Boston as an idea fueled by Mountain Dew and Snapple in a college dorm room, back before Mark Zuckerberg was just a twinkle in his parents' eyes. In this episode, COO Carolyn Craven shares the story of BevNET's 20-year journey. As we prepare for BevNET Live, NOSH Live, and Brewbound Live this December, we reflect on the trials and milestones that come with building a brand.
2024-11-2726 min
CPG Operator PodcastInclusive Hiring: The Surprising Benefits for Brand and CultureInclusive hiring strengthens communities and benefits your brand. Adrianne DeLuca of BevNET, Joshua Velasquez of Shire's Naturals, and Kevin McGahren of Greyston Bakery discuss how they use non-traditional hiring, share effective hiring and training tactics, and explain the positive impact on both business and communities. Find out how equitable hiring boosts loyalty, taps into overlooked talent, and creates a strategic advantage for your business
2024-10-3151 min
CPG Operator PodcastHow an Expert Optimizes Amazon Presence: Her Number One Tip Is FreeLorena Arathoon and her team at Tasu Chips have launched their brand on Amazon and are looking to refine their strategy. Betsy McGinn, an Amazon guru and e-commerce strategist, joins Community Call to provide Lorena with ideas that will steadily grow sales. Find out how to create the perfect listing, the advertising that's worth investing in, and what you should avoid at all costs on the platform. Find Betsy's companion deck shared on this episode in our Slack Community, join us: https://slack.bevnet.com/sign-up
2024-07-1840 min
CPG Operator PodcastMable's Chargeback-Free Program for Distributor PartnershipsMable helps food and beverage brands achieve growth in both food service and retail, even if they're early-stage businesses not currently set up with distributor partners. Arik Keller, Founder and CEO of Mable, Lauren Ricciardi, Mable's Marketing Director, and Adrianne Deluca, reporter for BevNET & NOSH, share essential tips for creating a "pro" profile, best practices for seamless drop-shipping, and strategies to grow consumer demand on the platform. This Community Call complements an article Adrianne wrote for NOSH, where she shares additional valuable insights. Be sure to check out her article on NOSH.com.
2024-06-2055 min
CPG Operator PodcastThe Highs and Lows of Hemp D9: Revolutionizing the Cannabis IndustryKristi Palmer from Kiva Confections and Lukas Southard, Senior Reporter at BevNET, join Community Call to discuss the profound impact of hemp-derived D9 on the cannabis edibles and beverage industry. Learn how brands are seizing new opportunities, the looming regulatory challenges, and consumer safety concerns surrounding lab testing and regulatory standards.
2024-05-0952 min
CPG Operator PodcastExploring AI in CPG - Applications, Impact, and OpportunityJoin Melissa Li, investor at Offline Ventures, Brad Avery, senior reporter at BevNET/NOSH, and Peter Barrick, CEO of snack brand Rivalz, as they unravel the intricate world of AI within the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry. We'll take a look at AI beyond chatbots and image creation and explore how it's revolutionizing the way brands like Rivalz operate. From its capabilities to its limitations, discover how emerging brands are leveraging technology to propel themselves forward, and the implications this tech has on the CPG industry.
2024-04-1151 min
CPG Operator PodcastCommunity Call: SPINS Shares Top Trends in Beverage, and How Brands Can Innovate AccordinglyJoin Kaitlin Morgan of SPINS shares RTD beverage data during our Community Call, where we'll uncover trends in functionality, sweeteners, and flavor. Discover the key industry indicators shaping the landscape, and delve into the essential themes to understand how brands and entrepreneurs can leverage this data for intelligent innovation. Go to slack.bevnet.com/General Discussion channel for a companion presentation to this podcast or email MTraverse@bevnet.com
2024-02-0848 min
CPG VibesEpisode 85 with Ray Latif - Editor and Podcast Host at BevnetBevNET.com is the leading beverage-oriented media company, producing a web site, print magazine, and live conference series. The company was founded in 1996 by John Craven, with its mission to offer, through products in a variety of media, the best, most comprehensive forum for news coverage, expertise, partnership and support for all members of the beverage community.Since its inception, BevNET.com has become a recognized authority on the beverage industry. BevNET.com and its employees are often used as sources for media publications looking for industry information, including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Detroit Free Press...
2023-09-181h 05
The Boozebuddy UpdateTuesday November 23 2021 - #BCBS #Bevnet #Bestof #awards #CBW #MilwaukeeToday I’m drinking a Noble Vines 667 Pinot Noir 2019 https://www.noblevines.com/global/wines/667-pinot-noir.html
Goose Island’s Bourbon County beers hit shelves on Black Friday, but some people reported seeing the seven variants popping up already From Reserve to Classic Cola to Proprietor’s stout the complexity and craftsmanship of these beers have proven to be an annual favorite of craft beer lovers! https://www.chicagofoodmagazine.com/news/goose-islands-2021-bourbon-county-stout-release-on-black-friday
Another Annual ritual, the Bevnet “Best Of” Award Nominee is out - a way to honor the companies, brands, individuals, products, ideas, and trends...
2021-11-2402 min
Taste RadioInsider Ep. 90: It Takes A Certain 'Touch' To Make Distributors Love YouHow do distributors evaluate emerging brands? And how can those brands best position themselves to succeed once they're part of a distributor's route? We explore both questions with Chuck Casano, the founder of Pitaya Foods, a brand of superfruit-based frozen smoothie packs, and HiTouch Distribution, a Southern California-based direct store distributor focused on healthy refrigerated brands. In a conversation focused on how Casano has navigated the food industry on two fronts, first on the brand side and later as a distributor, he discussed how a social mission guided his foray into the food and beverage in...
2020-06-191h 02
Taste RadioInsider Ep. 87: Winning Over Investors Is Step One. Step Two Is About This.If you're a regular BevNET reader, you might recognize Allison and Stephen Ellsworth, co-founders of prebiotic soda brand Poppi, who triumphed in BevNET's New Beverage Showdown 12 competition. Or you might recall them from their 2018 appearance on the reality TV show "Shark Tank," in which they received a $400,000 investment from beverage industry luminary Rohan Oza. In both appearances, the brand was known as Mother Beverage and positioned as a line of sparkling apple cider vinegar drinks. The "Shark Tank" deal elicited additional funding via CAVU Venture Partners, the private equity firm co-founded by Oza, an investment that contributed...
2020-05-2937 min
Taste RadioInsider Ep. 77: A Bloom Is On The Horizon. Here's How To Prepare For It.This week's episode focuses on ways that the BevNET and NOSH teams are working with entrepreneurs to support their businesses during these uncertain times, and also includes an interview with Candice Crane, founder/CEO of botanical drink brand Petal Beverage, who spoke about how she is navigating a challenging environment for small food and beverage companies. Founded in 2017, Petal has won plaudits for its organic sparkling beverages which are formulated with a range of botanical essences, including rose water, lychee and elderberry, among others. The brand is distributed in 1,000 locations, including at Gelson's, Jimbo's, Albertsons and Cost...
2020-03-2025 min
RE-Focus: The ADHD Podcast with Angela Stephens8: BevNET's Jeffrey Klineman Discusses Managing ProductivityJeffrey Klineman, Editor-in-Chief of BevNET joins Angela to discuss his role at BevNET, how he decided to become an Editor, how he manages his productivity, the best ways to get noticed in the beverage industry, and his thoughts on getting a career in media. Find him and his team at bevnet.com, nosh.com, and brewbound.com.
2020-01-2745 min
Taste RadioInsider Ep. 65: The News, Trends & Innovation That Shaped 2019This week, members of the BevNET and NOSH editorial teams joined us for a discussion of some of the major news stories, trends and topics affecting the food and beverage industry in 2019. Show notes: 0:57: Sustainable Shots, Inter-senal, Send News Now! -- The episode's hosts open the show with a chat about meeting Taste Radio fans at BevNET Live Winter 2019 and a brand revamp for ginger and turmeric juice brand Monfefo. They also munched on a cornucopia of gourmet cookies from Milk Bar, riffed on Marty's love for Italian soccer giant Inter Milan and explained why s...
2019-12-201h 08
Taste RadioInsider Ep. 62: How To Get Ahead By Going Back To The BasicsIn this episode, we're joined by the founders of two U.K.-based companies, each of whom have built successful brands by adopting a back-to-the-basics approach to product development and marketing. Launched in 2014, The Primal Pantry is a paleo-inspired snack brand that markets plant-based protein and energy bars made with just a handful of ingredients, including tree nuts and fruit. Suzie Walker, a former nutritionist and executive with Nestlé, founded the company on the belief that the bar category was lacking a product made with high quality, whole food ingredients. In our interview, Walker spoke about how s...
2019-11-2952 min
Taste RadioInsider Ep. 61: There's White Space For The Taking. Here's How To Find It.In this episode, we're joined by the founders of two innovative U.K.-based companies, cold brew coffee and oat milk brand Minor Figures and non-alcoholic brewery Infinite Session, who detailed their respective strategies for winning at home and abroad. Launched in 2014, Minor Figures is known for its super-premium beverages, pastel packaging and playful illustrations. The brand is widely available in the U.K. and has a significant foothold in Australia along with a small, but expanding, presence in the U.S. In our interview, co-founder Stuart Forsyth spoke about why he describes the package design as...
2019-11-2250 min
Taste RadioInsider Ep. 59: The 'Slightly Out Of Control' Growth StrategyJames McMaster, the CEO of Huel, a fast-growing brand of nutritionally complete meal replacement powders and RTD beverages, doesn't mind a little chaos. At the helm of a brand whose products are sold in 80 countries and are expected to generate over $50 million in sales in 2019, McMaster compares the U.K.-based company's growth to that of an amusement park ride. "You're on this roller coaster and you're trying to keep it under control, but you like it being slightly out of control so it can breathe and reach its potential," McMaster said in an interview i...
2019-11-0833 min
Taste RadioInsider Ep. 55: The Profitable Way To Build a Disruptive BrandThe tagline for Ithaca Craft Hummus is simple and direct: "This Hummus Tastes Fresh." For founder/president Chris Kirby, the mission to build a disruptive yet profitable brand is just as clear cut. Launched in 2013, Ithaca's ultra fresh flavor -- derived from cold-pressed ingredients and non-thermal pasteurization -- has helped the brand build a consumer following and gain placement in thousands of retail stores across the country, including Wegmans, The Fresh Market and Publix. Throughout Ithaca's development, Kirby has emphasized a scrappy approach to growth that's based on strong relationships with his co-packer and retail...
2019-10-111h 05
Taste RadioInsider Ep. 23: How Successful Entrepreneurs Network, Use Equity & Partner With CelebsOver the course of his career, Ryan Lewendon, a partner with influential CPG law firm The Giannuzzi Group, has worked with hundreds of CPG brands, including Vitaminwater, Krave Jerky, Vita Coco and BodyArmor. His experience has provided him with a window into how successful entrepreneurs think and operate. In an interview included in this episode, Lewendon offered his perspective on the elements of a winning brand and what it takes to succeed. As part of our conversation, he discussed how to avoid some of the early mistakes that can haunt entrepreneurs down the line and the keys...
2019-03-0150 min
Taste RadioInsider Ep. 19: Think You're Outworking Your Competition? Try Knocking on 500 Doors in 25 Days.Two years after launching their loose leaf tea company, Tiesta Tea co-founders Patrick Tannous and Dan Klein arrived at a crossroads. Amid slumping sales, their advisors exhorted the young entrepreneurs to find new retail accounts. Tannous and Klein replied that they'd already visited hundreds of retailers throughout their home market of Chicago and other cities in the Midwest. "What do you want us to do?" Tannous recounted. "And they looked at us and said, 'Did you guys go door-to-door in New York?'" Tannous and Klein hit the road with a "play the numbers" strategy...
2019-02-0149 min
Taste RadioInsider Ep. 12: On The Brink of Collapse, How Aloha Found Its Footing; Why Tea + Hops = VictoryAloha, a brand of organic, plant-based protein bars and powders, almost said goodbye to the market. Serial entrepreneur Constantin Bisanz created the company in 2014 with grand aspirations to democratize access to organic, healthy and better-for you food. At launch, the brand's direct-to-consumer platform featured a wide variety of products, including snack bars, elixirs, vitamin supplements and teas, that were promoted as nutritious and made from sustainably-sourced ingredients. Although Aloha came out of the gate with considerable hype and funding and later secured a national distribution deal with Target, the brand's development was stunted by a...
2018-12-1342 min
Taste RadioInsider Ep. 11: We're Talking BevNET Live, British Booch & Moju JuiceIn this episode of Taste Radio Insider, we continued our exploration into the evolving food and beverage market in the U.K. from the perspective of two London-based entrepreneurs: Jarr Kombucha co-founder Adam Vanni and Moju Drinks co-founder Rich Goldsmith. Each discussed how they are scaling their brands in the emerging categories of kombucha and cold-pressed juice in the U.K., and what they view as the biggest opportunities for their respective companies. Note that our interview with Vanni came prior to the announcement that beer giant Duvel Moortgat had acquired a 60 percent majority stake in Jarr Kombucha, a...
2018-12-0737 min
Taste RadioInsider Ep. 9: Barnana's Co-Founder Explains Why Package Design Is Everything; Beyond The Headlines: Nootropics and CBDNik Ingersöll spends a lot of time thinking about ugly bananas. The co-founder and CMO of Barnana, a fast-growing producer of snack foods made from imperfect and misshapen bananas, Ingersöll is responsible for the brand's marketing and design strategy. To put it another way, his job is to get people excited about snacks that might not be the most visually appealing. And he's been lauded for his efforts; Barnana is known for its bold packaging and quirky promotions, which includes the Barnana Car, which, as you may have guessed, is a big banana on wheels....
2018-11-2346 min
Taste RadioInsider Ep. 2: Want Brand Loyalty? 'Be Consistently Great,' Says Uncle Matt's Founder; Insight Into the KDP/Core DealMatt McLean, founder and titular figure of organic beverage company Uncle Matt's, is fond of saying that orange juice is ounce-for-ounce the most nutritious beverage on the market. He might be a little biased; after all, orange juice is the brand's flagship line. There are, however, a few qualifiers to his promotion of orange juice, notably organic sourcing and high quality standards, each of which are rooted in Uncle Matt's business philosophy. "We want to be consistently great at everything we do," he said in an interview included in this episode. "We don't skimp. We...
2018-10-0540 min
Taste RadioInsider Ep. 1: How Country Archer Turned Rejection Into a Multi-Million Dollar IdeaIt would be fair to say that things are going well for Country Archer. But it wasn't always that way. A maker of clean-label meat snacks, the brand's flagship jerky line is the fastest growing in its category among natural retailers, and the company recently announced $10 million in new funding from its primary investor, Monogram Capital. Nevertheless, not too long ago, Country Archer faced rejection in the very retail channel in which it's now the fastest growing; in fact, it had been written off as a "convenience store" product. Yet, tenacity, innovation and a little...
2018-09-2843 min
Taste RadioEp. 116: Secrets of a Perfect 'Overnight Success'; Successful Habits of a Kombucha QueenWhen it debuted in 2005, Perfect Bar was a tough sell to retailers unfamiliar with the concept of a refrigerated protein bar. But Leigh and Bill Keith, who co-founded the brand along with four other siblings and developed the products based on a family recipe that uses healthier ingredients, slowly achieved traction for Perfect Bar through persistence and a focused business strategy. The brand is now carried at thousands of retail chains across the country and is the leader of the blooming set. We caught up with Leigh and Bill at NOSH Live Summer 2018 and discussed the company's journey to become...
2018-06-191h 06
Taste RadioEp. 112: Pirate's Booty Founder: 'Don't Focus on The Money. Focus on Yourself.'Pretty much everyone has heard of Pirate's Booty, the ubiquitous puffed cheese snack known for its quirky branding and eat-the-whole-bag appeal. If you're in the food and beverage business, you might have heard of Robert Ehrlich, the creator of Pirate's Booty. But to know the name is not necessarily to know the man. Inventive, eccentric, fearless, creative, and above all fun, Ehrlich has been extremely successful as a food entrepreneur; the sale of Pirate's Booty netted him over $70 million. Money, however, hasn't changed his passion for new and innovative ways to disrupt the food business. Inthis episode of Taste Radio...
2018-05-2256 min
Taste RadioEp. 111: Sweet Leaf/Deep Eddy Co-Founder: 'You Can't Read The Book. You Gotta Live It.'When it comes to entrepreneurship, Clayton Christopher believes that "you can't read the book; you gotta live it." And live it he has; Christopher is best known as the co-founder of Sweet Leaf Tea, acquired by Nestlé Waters in 2011, and Deep Eddy Vodka, which just five years after its launch was sold to Heaven Hill Distilling for a reported $400 million. Yet even as a highly successful entrepreneur and investor, Christopher, currently the co-founder and managing director of private equity firm CAVU, has always looked beyond simply achieving a desired end result. In an interview included in this episode of T...
2018-05-151h 10
Taste RadioEp. 110: Foodstirs Founders Explain Importance of Indulging 'Personal Mission'If you are going to have the occasional indulgent dessert, at least make sure it's worth indulging on. Greg Fleishman, a veteran CPG executive and co-founder of organic baking kit brand Foodstirs, has made that the simple guiding principle of Foodstirs, the organic baking kit brand he helped launch alongside co-founder Galit Laibow and actress Sarah Michelle Gellar in 2014. Launched as a direct-to-consumer subscription service before expanding into retail, the brand has set out to disrupt a sleepy baking mix category with innovative products that merge high-quality, sustainable ingredients and indulgent flavors. In an interview with the Foodstirs founders included...
2018-05-081h 07
Bulletproof Your CPG BrandHow to Leverage BevNET to Grow With John Craven, BevNet40. If you're building a beverage brand in isolation, you're already behind. Success in CPG isn't just about product—it's about community, insight, and access to the right conversations. In this episode, I sit down with John Craven, Founder & CEO of BevNET, to unpack how brands can leverage industry media, conferences, education, and networking to accelerate growth. From dorm-room product samples to building one of the most influential B2B platforms in food and beverage, John shares how entrepreneurs can avoid repeatable mistakes and build awareness before they "need" it. We discuss why honest feedback matters ear...
2018-04-1856 min
Taste RadioEp. 93: Project 7's Tyler Merrick Is Trying to Save the World, One Pack of Gum at a TimeTyler Merrick is attempting to save the world, one pack of gum at a time. A serial entrepreneur, Merrick is the founder and CEO of Project 7, a premium gum, mint and candy brand built around a core social mission. Launched in 2009, the company donates a portion from each purchase to support seven areas of need in the U.S. and across the globe, including hunger, homelessness, clean water, and anti-bullying initiatives. Merrick initially envisioned Project 7 as a "Newman's Own 2.0" brand for commodity goods, including bottle water, coffee and snacks, each aligned with tangible giveback. In an interview included in this...
2018-01-231h 08
Taste RadioEp. 78: Four Loko/Koia Co-Founder On Why Branding Is The Key to WinningEpisode 78 of BevNET's Taste Radio podcast features a conversation with Chris Hunter, the co-founder of plant-based protein drink brand Koia and a co-founder of Phusion Projects, the Chicago-based alcoholic beverage company best known as the maker of Four Loko. In our interview, recorded at Natural Products Expo East 2017, Hunter discussed the remarkable rise (and notorious reputation) of Four Loko and why a focus on branding and merchandising was key to its success. Hunter also explained his belief that the natural food and beverage industry is "the most exciting space out there," his role in reframing and positioning Koia as a...
2017-10-0654 min
Taste RadioEp. 77: Bleeding Edge Innovation With Impossible Foods' Founder Pat BrownIn this week's episode of BevNET's Taste Radio, we're joined by Pat Brown, the founder and CEO of Impossible Foods, a food tech company focused on the development of meat, dairy and fish products derived from plant-based material. Best known as the maker of the Impossible Burger, a juicy, meatless patty that's served in trendy restaurants nationwide, the company has reportedly raised over $300 million to date, including investment from GV and Bill Gates. Project NOSH editor Carol Ortenberg and BevNET sr. brand specialist Jon Landis recently spoke with Brown about the origins and business strategy behind Impossible Burger and his...
2017-09-2959 min
Taste RadioEp. 76: Bill Creelman Discusses Spindrift's Crafty Strategy; MCT's MomentEpisode 76 of BevNET's Taste Radio podcast spotlights a wide-ranging conversation with Spindrift founder and CEO Bill Creelman. Recorded at Spindrift headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Creelman waxed about cutting his teeth in the beverage business and the launch, development and sale of his first company, Stirrings, a maker of premium cocktail mixers. He also discussed how the origins of Spindrift, a fast-growing brand of fruit-infused sparkling water, continue to play a critical role in the brand's evolution and remarkable growth, why the brand is pursuing a "craft" identity in the sparkling water category, and how the company has taken a careful...
2017-09-211h 03
Taste RadioEp. 75: Grandy Oats' Founders on Why Authenticity Matters; Evolution of Plant-Based MeatTaste Radio episode 75, presented by Virun, features a compelling conversation with Aaron Anker and Nat Peirce, who are the co-founders of Grandy Oats, a maker, wholesaler and retailer of organic granola. BevNET editor-in-chief Jeff Klineman met with Anker and Peirce at Grandy Oats' headquarters in Hiram, Maine, where the trio spoke about the company's development and evolution since its launch in 1979. Over the past two years, Grandy Oats, which has remained independent since its founding, has invested in improvements to its manufacturing facility, greening its factory and adding capacity, as it moves closer to national expansion. The upgrades come as...
2017-09-151h 02
Taste RadioEp. 62: KeVita Co-Founder Moses Is Investing; Trendspotting at NOSH/BevNET LiveKeVita co-founder and former CEO Bill Moses is keeping busy. In the seven months since PepsiCo's acquisition of KeVita, a maker of probiotic drinks and kombucha, Moses has been actively investing in and advising a range of early-stage food and beverage companies. This edition of the Taste Radio podcast features an interview with Moses, who discussed the key elements of his investment philosophy and his work with upstart brands, including Koia and ChiaViva. Recorded at the NOSH Live Summer 2017 conference, held earlier this week in New York City, Moses also reflected the growth and development of KeVita and the trials...
2017-06-1636 min
Taste RadioBevNET Podcast Ep. 60: Bob Burke on Keys to The Kingdom; Recapping The Sweets and Snacks ExpoOver his three decades as an executive and consultant in the natural products industry, Bob Burke has been recognized as one of the foremost experts in the space. This episode of the BevNET Podcast features a wide-ranging conversation with Burke, whose career includes 11 years in sales and marketing at organic dairy giant Stonyfield Farm and nearly 20 years as an advisor to early-stage and entrepreneurial food and beverage companies. Along with a discussion about the evolution of the natural foods industry and its transformative impact on the grocery business, Burke shared his thoughts on the keys to success for startups and...
2017-06-021h 08
Taste RadioBevNET Podcast Ep. 59: Margaritas, Mezcal and MoneyIn this episode of the BevNET Podcast, we sat down with Mark Mahoney, the co-founder and CEO of premium cocktail mixer brand Powell & Mahoney, who joined us for a discussion about his background as a beverage entrepreneur, the rapid development of the premium mixer space and what's next for the thriving category. This episode also includes a segment with BevNET editor-in-chief Jeffrey Klineman, who examined recent investment deals in the food and beverage industry, including First Beverage Ventures' investment in a mezcal company, Castanea Partners' acquisition of a majority stake in craft brewery The Bruery and a new round of...
2017-05-2656 min
Taste RadioBevNET Podcast Ep. 58: Why Juice Press is 'Constantly Reinventing the Wheel'; The Soylent PhenomenonEarlier this month, BevNET CEO John Craven met with Juice Press founder Marcus Antebi and chairman Michael Karsch at the cold-pressed juice chain's Long Island City headquarters and production facility, where the trio recorded a wide-ranging interview for this episode of the BevNET Podcast. Antebi, who launched Juice Press in 2010 and now presides over a chain of 62 stores across the Northeast, explained his belief that "common innovation is complete" and that it's incumbent upon food and beverage manufacturers to up the ante with nutrient-dense ingredients and formulations. That mindset is the overarching mantra at Juice Press and the driver...
2017-05-1959 min
Taste RadioBevNET Podcast Ep. 57: Whole Foods Fights to Remain RelevantTim Sperry spent nearly 25 years as an executive at Whole Foods and was a key figure in the company's ascent from a small grocery chain to a household name and natural foods powerhouse. Eleven years removed from his role as the company's director of grocery, Sperry is concerned that Whole Foods' merchandising prowess and brand identity have fallen into neglect -- and he's not alone. The retailer has lost some of its luster with customers, suppliers and investors, and the news is filled with talk of a shakeup of the company's business strategy or an outright takeover. In this episode...
2017-05-121h 03
Taste RadioBevNET Podcast Ep. 56: Going Next Level With FoodFutureCoIn an interview recorded for this edition of the BevNET Podcast, we sat down with Gigi Lee Chang, the managing director of cause-oriented food business accelerator FoodFutureCo. Chang, who also founded baby food brand Plum Organics, explained FoodFutureCo's work in advising and supporting early- and mid-stage food and beverage companies, particularly those that are providing unique products and solutions for the food system. Chang also offered her perspective on how the opportunities and challenges for food entrepreneurs have evolved since Plum launched in 2005. Also included in this episode of the podcast: the first edition of "Elevator Talk," a new series...
2017-05-0547 min
Taste RadioBevNET Podcast Ep. 55: Juicero Jeopardy, Sour Soylent, and Avoiding the Bottle BluesIn this episode of the podcast, BevNET's John Craven and Jeff Klineman discussed some of the big stories in the food and beverage business, including tough press for Juicero, operational issues for brands like Soylent and Reed's, and the ways the largest, publicly-traded food and beverage companies are attempting to refresh their lineups through transactions -- and through change at the top. Also included in this edition of the podcast: a chat on packaging trends and innovation with Zuckerman Honickman executives Michael Zuckerman and Adam Dorfman, and a "What are you drinking?" segment with BevNET's director of sales, John McKenna...
2017-04-2859 min
Taste RadioBevNET Podcast Ep. 54: Fixing The Disconnect Between Functionality and Brand StoryLivio Bisterzo thinks millennials are the new hippies. And he's got just the snack for them. A longtime entrepreneur, Bisterzo is the founder and CEO of Green Park Brands, a self-described "food innovation company" based in Los Angeles. Approximately 18 months ago, the company launched its first brand, Hippeas, a line of organic chickpea puffs available in six varieties. The vegan snacks are high in fiber and protein and sold in wide range of natural and conventional grocery retailers; they're also carried nationally at Starbucks cafes. In a recent interview recorded for this edition of the BevNET podcast, Bisterzo credited the...
2017-04-2152 min
Taste RadioBevNET Podcast Ep. 53: IRI CEO on How Artificial Intelligence Will 'Automate The Simple'Last week IRI, a global market research firm based in Chicago, held its annual "Growth Summit," a three-day conference designed to help CPG manufacturers, retailers and media industry executives understand the opportunities and challenges presented by big data. The event, held in Nashville's Opryland district, included a range of educational and strategy-oriented sessions on cross-category dynamics, fragmented media, consumer personalization, digital marketing and e-commerce. Amid the sprawling conference, which was attended by executives from across the CPG spectrum, BevNET sat down with IRI CEO and president Andrew Appel and recorded an interview for this edition of the podcast. Appel...
2017-04-141h 05
Taste RadioBevNET Podcast Ep. 52: How To Revolutionize, Democratize Healthy Food? Chew On It.Adam Melonas has a pretty simple mission: he wants you to eat tasty, healthy snacks. The Australian-born chef and entrepreneur is the founder and CEO of Chew LLC, a Boston-based food incubator focused on recreating legacy snack brands. Melonas said the products are being renovated from "the ground up, inventing new processes to make them more nutritious and delicious every time." BevNET recently visited Chew's new innovation lab in Boston's Fenway neighborhood where we recorded a wide-ranging interview about the launch and development of Chew for this edition of the BevNET Podcast. Surrounded by a shimmering kitchen outfitted with state-of-the-art...
2017-04-0754 min
Taste RadioBevNET Podcast Ep. 51: Ripe Opportunities to Win in BeverageMining trends at the recently held Natural Products Expo West 2017, Howard Telford, a senior beverages analyst with market research firm Euromonitor, said he saw the event as the embodiment of the health and wellness movement that has reshaped the beverage industry in recent years. In an interview recorded for this edition of the BevNET Podcast, Telford shared his thoughts on pertinent trends affecting new product development as viewed at Expo West and beyond. Telford, who is an expert on the global soft drink market, explained that concerns over added sugars are changing the ways companies are formulating new and existing...
2017-03-311h 06
Taste RadioBevNET Podcast Ep. 50: The Dirty Way To Disrupt Distribution; Why Change Is ProgressZak Normandin is a determinedly practical entrepreneur. As a new father, he was concerned that there were few companies selling organic foods for babies and toddlers. So he created his own: Little Duck Organics, a maker of USDA organic snacks. A few years after its launch, he sold the company. Although he had been successful in the food business, he wasn't satisfied with traditional distribution models. Seeing an opportunity to sell direct-to-consumer, two years ago Normandin launched Dirty Lemon, a brand of functional drinks that are sold via a text message-based ordering platform. Thomas Perez has similar views when it...
2017-03-241h 16
Taste RadioBevNET Podcast Ep. 48: When's The Right Time to Sell? Nick Giannuzzi Suggests a Heat Check.In this edition of the BevNET Podcast, we're joined by prominent food and beverage attorney Nick Giannuzzi. The founder and managing partner of the The Giannuzzi Group, he has for over a decade provided legal representation to hundreds of small to mid-sized CPG companies and been involved in the biggest M&A deals in the space, including the sale of vitaminwater to The Coca-Cola Co., Krave Jerky to The Hershey Co. and KeVita to PepsiCo. Our conversation with Giannuzzi includes his take on how has the landscape for M&A in food and beverage has evolved in recent years, how...
2017-03-0952 min
Taste RadioBevNET Podcast Ep. 47: Klocked In -- Why Sparking Ice Is Looking for a StablemateKevin Klock, the president and CEO of Talking Rain, believes that while timing and some luck played a role in the remarkable success of Sparkling Ice, execution is the primary reason that it's currently a $600 million brand at retail. A focused business strategy and the development of a national DSD network and seasoned sales organization helped position Sparkling Ice for eye-popping sales growth -- 6,000 percent since 2010. But Klock, who joined Talking Rain in 2006 and took the helm four years later, isn't ready to take a victory lap; instead, he sees the brand as ready for a running mate, or two...
2017-03-0246 min
Taste RadioBevNET Podcast Ep. 46: Why "You're Your Own Best Salesman"; Protein's PotentialIn this edition of the BevNET Podcast, we're joined by Michael Schwartz, the co-founder and managing partner of Organic Food Incubator, a shared production facility and resource center for early-stage food and beverage companies. In our conversation with Schwartz, who is also the founder of BAO, a brand of fermented foods and drinks, we delved into the current landscape for start-up brands in metro New York, and discuss top-of-mind ingredient and formulations embraced by entrepreneurs in the region. Schwartz also shared his take on effective sales, retail and distribution strategies for new brand owners, including why "you're your own best...
2017-02-2447 min
Taste RadioBevNET Podcast Ep. 45: How Reda Reigns As One of NYC's Beverage KingmakersBig Geyser, the largest independent beverage distributor in metro New York, has played a critical role in the development of some of the most successful entrepreneurial beverage brands in recent years, including vitaminwater, Zico and Honest Tea. Jerry Reda, the company's COO, oversees a distribution network that includes over 25,000 retail accounts -- and navigating the day-to-day challenges as Big Geyser's trucks traverse the tri-state area brings an extra level of headache to the gig. In the city that never sleeps, it's a 24/7 job, but Reda, who we recently interviewed for this edition of the BevNET Podcast, says that he wakes...
2017-02-171h 01
Taste RadioBevNET Podcast Ep. 44: BodyArmor/Vitaminwater Co-Founder Mike Repole: "It's Gold or Nothing."Mike Repole, the co-founder of BodyArmor, is unsatisfied. Why? Because BodyArmor, despite its impressive growth in recent years, is not the world's top-selling sports drink brand. Repole, who also co-founded vitaminwater and is a horse-racing magnate and billionaire, clearly does not lack ambition. As part of a wide-ranging interview recorded for this edition of the BevNET Podcast, Repole, who joined BodyArmor as a co-founder through an investment in the brand in 2012, said that despite Gatorade's longstanding domination of the sports drink category, he believes the giant can be knocked off its pedestal. And for BodyArmor to replace it would be...
2017-02-1054 min
Taste RadioBevNET Podcast Ep. 41: Five Brand Attributes That Spell Success for Whipstich's Mike BurgmaierBevNET's podcast team recently visited with Mike Burgmaier, the co-founder and managing director of Whipstitch Capital, an investment bank that provides mergers and acquisitions and private placement advisory services to consumer products companies. In this edition of the podcast, Burgmaier, who's worked with several fast-growing and high-profile beverage brands, including Essentia, Spindrift and KeVita, discussed the current climate for CPG financing, competition for investment dollars and what he views as the key attributes for successful brands.
2017-01-1336 min
Taste RadioBevNET Podcast Ep. 40: The Trends to Watch in Beverage, Beer and FoodYear two of the BevNET Podcast begins with a discussion on trends to watch in the worlds of non-alcoholic beverages, craft beer and natural foods. In this edition, the podcast team is joined by BevNET editor-in-chief Jeff Klineman and the editors of BevNET's sister sites, Brewbound's Chris Furnari and Project NOSH's Carol Ortenberg, each of whom offered their take on the most pertinent trends and issues within the industries they cover.
2017-01-0645 min
Taste RadioBevNET Podcast Ep. 39: What Happens at BevNET Live…It took us a couple of weeks to recover from the biggest BevNET Live conference yet, but in this edition of the podcast, we reflected on the three-day event, which was held from Dec. 4-6 in Santa Monica, Calif. With over 600 attendees and more than 150 beverage brands represented at the show, BevNET Live Winter 2016 showcased the breadth of cutting-edge trends and innovative beverage concepts, including many that appeared on the main stage during New Beverage Showdown 12. We discussed some of these nascent trends and their potential for mainstream adoption. We also examined the traction of well-capitalized ideas like high-tech cold-pressed...
2016-12-2236 min
Taste RadioBevNET Podcast Ep. 38: Mouthwatering Innovation? FoodMinds Says It's In the Can.In this edition of the BevNET Podcast, the team is joined by Grant Prentice, the vice president of strategic insights for FoodMinds, a food nutrition communications and consulting firm. FoodMinds advises food and beverage clients on ways to enhance business and marketing efforts through scientific research and public policy efforts. Prentice and FoodMinds this year completed research and insights work on behalf of the Can Manufacturers Institute and as part of our discussion, he revealed and explained findings on how packaging can impact beverage drinkers' experiences and reinforce or complement beverage brand equities.
2016-12-1644 min
Taste RadioBevNET Podcast Ep. 36: High-Stepping With L.A. Libations Co-FounderThe career of Danny Stepper, a co-founder of beverage incubator L.A. Libations, is one that comes with lot of stories -- and he's happy to tell them. BevNET's podcast team recently sat down with Stepper in his office at Relativity Media headquarters in Beverly Hills, which is a long way from his early days stocking beverage coolers for the Coca-Cola Co. Stepper worked his way into a variety of sales roles at Coke, building relationships that became the foundation for L.A. Libations' role as an incubator, guiding brands to placement at leading retailers in a variety of channels...
2016-12-0232 min
Taste RadioBevNET Podcast Ep. 35: Health-Ade Co-Founder -- Kombucha is Poster Child for "Real Food" MovementHealth-Ade's new 50,000 sq. ft. production facility in Torrance, Calif. is impressive: state-of-the art equipment, automated technology, and plenty of room to make a lot of kombucha. We recently visited the new space and sat down with company founders Vanessa Dew, Daina Trout and Justin Trout who joined us on this edition of the BevNET Podcast. As part of our discussion, Health-Ade's founding trio ruminated on the rapid evolution of the company, which launched in 2012 and is now one of the leading kombucha makers in the U.S. With the new facility in place, Health-Ade will look to ramp up distribution...
2016-11-1826 min
Taste RadioBevNET Podcast Ep. 34: Zico's Mark Rampolla -- Investors Love Brands Focused on Systematic ChangeThese days Zico founder Mark Rampolla spends most of his time thinking about transformative technology and better-for-you sweets. Three years removed from the sale of his coconut water brand to the Coca-Cola Co., Rampolla is now the managing partner and a co-founder of Powerplant Ventures, a private equity firm that invests in "visionary companies that are re-architecting" the food system via plant-based nutrition. He's also the interim CEO of Hail Merry, a maker of plant-based snack foods, which counts Powerplant as an investor. We caught up with Rampolla last week in Los Angeles at the Project NOSH L.A. conference...
2016-11-1119 min
Taste RadioBevNET Podcast Ep. 32: Conveniently, a Conversation About BevNET's Five-Star ReviewsAfter a few weeks on the road, the podcast team finally made it back in the conference room at BevNET HQ, where we recently chatted about our travels. In this edition, we look back at last week's NACS 2016 show, which showcased the continuing evolution of the convenience store channel. Our discussion includes an examination of retailers' and beverage suppliers' efforts to adapt to growing consumer interest for healthier drinks in C-stores and our thoughts on noteworthy new products introduced at the show. Later in the podcast, the conversation turns to BevNET CEO John Craven's recent trip to London. Craven shares...
2016-10-2837 min
Taste RadioBevNET Podcast Ep. 31: What's Trending Among London's Libations?For this week's episode of the BevNET podcast, we've crossed the Atlantic to explore a beverage market that's outside of our usual coverage area: London. Joining the podcast are Hugh Thomas and Joe Benn of Ugly Drinks, which is a U.K.-based startup that produces unsweetened flavored sparkling water. Thomas and Benn, who met each other while helping to launch Vita Coco in the U.K., discuss, along with BevNET founder & CEO John Craven, their thoughts on a variety of topics, including beverage innovation in the U.K. health and wellness trends impacting their local marketing, and the thought...
2016-10-2131 min
Taste RadioBevNET Podcast Ep. 30: The Dirty Secret About Success in the Beverage IndustryIn this edition of the BevNET podcast, we're joined by Gerry Khermouch, a longtime beverage reporter and the editor of email newsletter Beverage Business Insights. Khermouch, who also pens a column for BevNET Magazine, has been covering the non-alcoholic beverage industry for over 20 years, reporting on everything from the rise of new age brands like Snapple and AriZona to the meteoric success of vitaminwater to the fast-evolving trends of today. Khermouch shares insights gleaned from over two decades as a beverage journalist, including what he calls the "dirty secret" about success in the beverage industry, why he views curb appeal...
2016-10-1430 min
Taste RadioBevNET Podcast Ep. 29: Why ACG, An Early Investor In Suja, Doesn't "Make Bets"Trevor Nelson, the co-founder and managing partner of private equity firm Alliance Consumer Growth (ACG) is admittedly gunshy about speaking to the media. It's not that Nelson isn't well-spoken; in fact, he's quite articulate. It's just that he's wary of sharing too much information about the strategic insights and analyses that ACG, which was an early investor in cold-pressed juice Suja and Krave, a brand of meat jerky snacks, meticulously prepares and refines before making an investment. Nevertheless, Nelson recently hosted BevNET's podcast team at ACG's offices in Manhattan and shared some details about the firm's approach to evaluating investment...
2016-10-1127 min
Taste RadioBevNET Podcast Ep. 28: Gatorade and the Gatekeepers of Sports Drinks with ESPN's Darren RovellDarren Rovell, the veteran ESPN sports business reporter, wrote the book on Gatorade -- literally. His 2005 feature First in Thirst: How Gatorade Turned the Science of Sweat Into a Cultural Phenomenon won acclaim among beverage industry observers and became the foundation for Rovell's expertise in the business of sports drinks. Last week BevNET's podcast team met with Rovell at his home in New Jersey for a broad discussion on the current state of the sports beverage category, one that offers an insider's take on the segment's gatekeepers, from boardrooms to locker rooms. Among topics covered: the value of athlete endorsements...
2016-10-0738 min
Taste RadioBevNET Podcast Ep. 27: The Next Investment Target for General Mills' 301 Inc. Unit Is...At Natural Products Expo East 2016, BevNET's podcast team sat down with John Haugen, the vice president and general manager of General Mills' 301 Inc. incubation unit. In this podcast, Haugen discusses how 301, which operates as a business development and venture capital arm of General Mills, evaluates opportunities for investment in emerging trends and early-stage companies and gives an update on the unit's partnership with organic bottled soup brand Tio Gazpacho. He also explains why General Mills needs to redefine how it markets functional benefits and how finding "natural ways for food to work harder" is an important consideration in 301's investment...
2016-10-0413 min
Taste RadioBevNET Podcast Ep. 26: Blogging The Food Revolution with Max GoldbergInfluential blogger and organic food pundit Max Goldberg stopped by the BevNET Podcast home office this week for a discussion of the state of the organic food and beverage industry, the issues concerning the development of new products, and to preview his memoir, Finding Maxwell. Goldberg, a former Wall Street executive, told our team all about his journey from antidepressants to clean-living organic foodie and media figure, with conversational stops along the way on the offerings at Expo East, the difference between Ripple Foods and almond milk, and, most importantly, what he'd do if faced with the choice of eating...
2016-09-3025 min
Taste RadioBevNET Podcast Ep. 23: It's Effectively Our Take on ProbioticsIn this edition of the podcast, we follow up on a recent BevNET Magazine article that examined a growing controversy regarding standards and regulation in the expanding world of probiotic beverages. BevNET Editor-in-Chief Jeff Klineman, who authored the article, joins us for a lively discussion on the topic.
2016-09-0930 min
Taste RadioBevNET Podcast Ep. 22: Milking It -- Alt-Dairy Continues to RollWith almond milk leading the charge, the dairy alternative category continue to impress. Recent retail sales data compiled by IRI, a Chicago-based market research firm, showed big gains for refrigerated almond milk in multi-serve format, sales of which were up 6 percent in a year-over-year comparison for the four weeks ending on July 10. The segment is nearing $1 billion in sales, and although Silk and Blue Diamond continue to dominate, Califia Farms once again proved it's a force to be reckoned with; sales hit $42 million, up approximately 87 percent. Although dwarfed by the almond milk segment, refrigerated coconut milk also saw a leap...
2016-09-0226 min
Taste RadioBevNET Podcast Ep. 21: Trendspotting -- Where's the White Space?The cold brew coffee craze is sweeping through the beverage industry, and it seems like everyone's trying to get a piece of the action. But we've seen this story before: companies flocking to a hot category, and often times ending up with a less-than-successful outcome (see: energy drinks, cold-pressed juice). "It's just a sign of how this industry works," BevNET CEO John Craven said in a new podcast. "When people see opportunity, you get the herd moving quickly trying to get their troops on the front line for this -- hopefully -- big surge in cold brew consumption. But right...
2016-08-2626 min
Taste RadioBevNET Podcast Ep. 19: The Wind Up & The Pitch -- Talking to the MediaWe're asked all the time: how can I get news about my brand featured on BevNET? Well, you can start by saying hello :) Certainly, there are time-tested and effective ways of communicating with trade media. Press releases and story pitches are two of the most common tools, but what are key components for each? How do position your news to stand out among dozens of pitches that we receive each week? In this week's podcast, we discuss best practices for submitting news as a way to build a foundation for effective and consistent dialogue between supplier companies and trade media...
2016-08-1228 min
Taste RadioBevNET Podcast Ep. 18: Cold Brew On FleekIn recent months, the cold brew coffee category has been inundated with dozens of new products. While most have been launched by regional-focused startup companies, major players Starbucks and Peet's recently introduced bottled cold brew lines. Meanwhile, third-wave darling Stumptown has gradually expanded distribution of its RTD offerings, and Califia Farms, Chameleon and High Brew continue to introduce new varieties. As more cold brew products come to market, suppliers are doubling down on efforts to differentiate from the pack and appeal themselves to new consumers. In this edition of the BevNET Podcast, we discuss how brands are innovating in terms...
2016-08-0525 min
Taste RadioBevNET Podcast Ep. 17: Entrepreneurship and The Roots of Our LaborYes, BevNET staffers have their individual quirks, mannerisms and styles, but it would be a bit of a stretch to describe the team as a motley crew; we prefer "wild bunch." And, we get asked all the time: "So, how'd you land at BevNET?" Backgrounds are varied and, in many cases, seem like an unusual fit for a company that reports on the beverage industry. That said, there is a unifying strain to our stories: a passion for working with entrepreneurs. The usual suspects of this podcast -- John Craven, Ray Latif and Jon Landis -- discuss how their paths...
2016-07-2923 min
Taste RadioBevNET Podcast Ep. 16: Honestly, Seth, This Was Beyond A Meaty VisitAh, to be in the Whole Foods Pentagon City. that's where super-entrepreneur Seth Goldman — co-founder of Honest Tea and Current Chairman of Beyond Meat — has been trotting out products like Honest Sport and the Beyond Burger for consumers to test out. BevNET's podcast studio last week became a mini-Pentagon City itself, with Goldman stopping by to let the team taste the new products. Goldman considers the Beyond Burger in particular as a transformational enterprise — the opportunity to create a viable branded plant protein at the meat counter. "It's a huge opportunity," says the longtime vegetarian. "The veggie burger is an evolut...
2016-07-2240 min
Taste RadioBevNET Podcast 15: Chewing the Fancy Food FatThe combined forces of BevNET and Project NOSH descended on the Fancy Food Show in Manhattan a couple of weeks ago, and while the beverage team has already given its take, let's face it — there's a heck of a lot more solids on display in the aisle than liquids. And that means this edition of the BevNET Podcast is a perfect chance to throw Project NOSH editor Carol Ortenberg and Marketing Specialist Jacqui Brugliera into the line of microphone fire alongside Jon Landis and Jeff Klineman to discuss the seismic changes overcoming this retail channel, which has so long been th...
2016-07-1525 min
Taste RadioBevNET Podcast Ep. 13: Getting Fancy in The City That Never SleepsBack in the Big Apple for the third time in less than a month, the BevNET team rallied once more, this time to cover the 2016 Summer Fancy Food Show. Amid the vast halls of the Jacob Javits Center, the specialty food convention featured a broad and diverse range of beverage exhibitors at the event, including many based in metro New York. In this podcast, we examine how the Summer Fancy Food Show has evolved to become an important event for beverage brands seeking local and national retail opportunities. We also discuss a thriving scene for Brooklyn-based food and beverage companies...
2016-07-0127 min
Taste RadioBevNET Podcast Ep. 12: Talking Points, Insights from BevNET Live Summer 2016After a whirlwind eight days in which BevNET produced three conferences, we've taken some much needed time to sit down and reflect. Beginning in Brooklyn, where BevNET sister sites Brewbound and Project NOSH held business conferences focused on the business of craft beer and natural packaged foods, the team traveled uptown to Manhattan for BevNET Live Summer 2016, a three-day event that attracted 500+ beverage industry professionals. In this edition of the podcast, we discuss an overarching theme of health and wellness that linked the three conferences. We also examine the evolution of BevNET Live's New Beverage Showdown competition and the categories...
2016-06-2426 min
Taste RadioBevNET Podcast Ep. 10: Keeping It Legal With Justin ProchnowIn Episode 10 of the BevNET Podcast, we sit down with Justin Prochnow, a partner at Greenberg Traurig, to discuss current legal and regulatory issues affecting the beverage industry. We spoke with Prochnow, an expert in legal requirements for labeling, about changes to the Nutrition Facts panel, which were revealed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in May. Prochnow also discussed the FDA's guidance on use of "evaporated cane juice" on ingredient labels, the agency's view of the term being "false or misleading," and what it means for food and beverage companies that are using the term.
2016-06-1716 min
Taste RadioBevNet Podcast Ep. 8: How to Win Friends... and the New Beverage ShowdownWe're just a few days away from BevNET Live Summer 2016, and with it the eleventh edition of the conference's signature beverage brand competition, the New Beverage Showdown. The competition will feature 15 early-stage entrepreneurs who will take the main stage to present their brands and business plans to a panel of expert judges for a chance at a $10,000 grand prize. In this podcast, we look back at previous editions of the Showdown and identify key attributes of successful presentations and commonalities among winners. We also discuss where some brands stumbled and things to avoid while under the spotlight.
2016-06-0337 min
Taste RadioBevNET Podcast Ep. 7: Coffee With the Beverage WhispererThe team had a chance to evaluate some products with beverage industry investor, advisor, board member and raconteur Ken Sadowsky when dropped by the BevNET Podcast studio for an interview recently. Sadowsky has had a front-row view of the growth of groundbreaking brands like Vitaminwater and Vita Coco, joined BevNET's Jeffrey Klineman and Jon Landis to talk about the strategic moves taken by successful beverage company leaders, some of the reasons that distributors can't stop listening to Bruce Springsteen, and what it means to be characterized by so many in the industry as "The Beverage Whisperer."
2016-05-2733 min
Taste RadioBevNET Podcast Ep. 6: The 2016 Craft Brewers ConferenceIn this edition of the BevNET Podcast, Chris Furnari, the editor of Brewbound, joins us to discuss his takeaways from the massive, 14,000-attendee Craft Brewers Conference and Brew Expo America, including some of the factors that are enabling massive growth in the craft beer category. We also discuss the increasing amount of merger and acquisition activity in the space, the prospect of 10,000 U.S. craft breweries, and the ongoing "craft vs. crafty" debate that just won't die.
2016-05-2533 min
Taste RadioBevNET Podcast Ep. 5: Weighing in on Water's Premium Set; To Build or Not to Build?In this edition of the BevNET Podcast, we discuss the swelling ranks of premium water brands and efforts by marketers to stand out from the pack. We also examine why a growing number of beverage entrepreneurs are bypassing co-packers and opting to build their own production facilities.
2016-05-2028 min
Taste RadioBevNET Podcast Ep. 4: Downloading With Doug Evans, The Founder of JuiceroIn this podcast, BevNET CEO John Craven interviews Doug Evans, the founder and CEO of Juicero, a new high-tech countertop juicing machine. Recorded in Calabasas, Calif., Evans discusses the development of Juicero, its introduction to the market and how it fits into the expanding landscape for cold-pressed juice. He also responds to criticism about the unit's price tag ($700) and talks about his long-term vision for Juicero.
2016-05-1321 min
Taste RadioBevNET Podcast Ep. 2: Juice Served Here, There and EverywhereIn this edition of the BevNET podcast, BevNET CEO John Craven sits down with Alex Matthews, the co-founder and CEO of Juice Served Here, a fast-growing cold-pressed juice chain based in Los Angeles. Founded in 2013, Juice Served Here launched 11 new locations in 2015 and plans to add three more this summer. As quickly as the company is expanding, Matthews and Juice Served Here executives recently pulled back on the reins as a way to reflect on operations, staff training and marketing campaigns for current stores. Matthews describes the initiative as "really healthy" and something that enabled for a clearer path forward...
2016-05-0622 min