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"Was Coca-Cola the right company to buy Zico? In hindsight, probably not" - just-drinks speaks to Zico founder Mark Rampolla 19 Jan 2021

Andy Morton

Mark Rampolla founded Zico Coconut Water in 2004, building the brand into a major force in soft drinks and introducing a generation of consumers to low-sugar, functional waters. The strength of the brand was underlined in 2013 when The Coca-Cola Co bought Zico for an undisclosed fee. Last year, in a sharp reversal of fortunes for the brand, Coca-Cola announced Zico was one of about 200 brands earmarked to be discontinued as the group implemented a major cost-cutting programme. Last week, in yet another twist for Zico, Rampolla's investment company, Powerplant Ventures. acquired the coconut water from Coca-Cola, returning Rampolla to the brand he created. Yesterday, just-drinks spoke to him about his journey back to Zico, what changes he has seen in the beverage industry while away and why Coca-Cola is not the best company to build emerging categories.

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"Who knew we'd launch in the middle of a pandemic?" - just-drinks speaks to Jade Padua, co-founder of new CBD beverage company G&Juice 23 Apr 2020

Andy Morton

The whole world may be in lockdown, but despite the coronavirus pandemic the drinks industry refuses to stop. An example is G&Juice, a Californian, hemp-derived CBD beverage start-up whose plans for the release of its first products were thrown into disarray by COVID-19. Meetings with leading retailers and distributors scheduled for Expo West were lost when the Anaheim trade show was cancelled at the last minute, potentially cutting off G&Juice's route-to-market at a crucial stage. Undaunted, the three women at the helm of G&Juice have reassessed their plans, turning to smaller outlets in California that were calling out for stress-busting CBD products in a time of national emergency. Yesterday, just-drinks spoke to G&Juice co-founder & CMO Jade Padua, currently in lockdown in her home city of Toronto, Canada, about reacting to the cancelled Anaheim show, the positives of launching during a global pandemic and what US food safety authorities have in store for CBD beverages.

Molson Coors holds out hope for 2020 growth, but Q1 starts down - results data 29 Apr 21

Rhodri Morgan

Molson Coors has struck an upbeat chord for the current year, despite seeing its sales fall by double digits in the first quarter of 2021.

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Loki releases low-level THC seltzer across US 29 Apr 21

Rhodri Morgan

US drinks company Loki has launched a cannabis seltzer that contains a small amount of THC.

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Canopy Growth lines up CBD expansion in US with Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits deal 21 Apr 21

Andy Morton

Canopy Growth, the cannabis partner of Constellation Brands, is to ramp up its CBD beverages footprint in the US after signing a nationwide distribution partnership with Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits.

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From the just-drinks cellars - What happened in drinks on this day in ... 6 Apr 21

Rhodri Morgan

From the just-drinks cellars - What happened in drinks on this day in ...

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Hill Street Beverage Co enters cannabis with Via Regal Pink Grape Sparkler launch 12 Mar 21

Andy Morton

Canada's Hill Street Beverage Co has launched its first cannabis drink, a THC-infused flavoured sparkling water called Via Regal Pink Grape Sparkler.

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If you read only one thing... - This week's must-reads on just-drinks 5 Mar 21

Rhodri Morgan

Here's a look at the biggest stories and the best content from just-drinks this week.