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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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"The longer something goes on, the more permanent it becomes" - just-drinks speaks to William Grant senior category director Ian Baines about post-COVID trends 15 Jan 2021

Andy Morton

Earlier this week, William Grant & Sons launched its latest annual report on global alcohol trends. Today, just-drinks spoke to the company's senior category manager, Ian Baines, to dig deeper into what the post-coronavirus world will look like.

Drinktec 2021 becomes Drinktec 2022 24 Feb 21

Olly Wehring

Beverage industry mega-show Drinktec is having to break its four-yearly cycle for the first time, postponing this year's exhibition to 2022.

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Monster Beverage Corp sponsors Big3 basketball league 24 Feb 21

Andy Morton

Monster Beverage Corp has become the first energy drinks sponsor of the Big3 league, a shortened version of basketball created by former NWA rapper Ice Cube.

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The Coca-Cola Co dives into mood-aid category with Smartwater+ launch 24 Feb 21

Andy Morton

The Coca-Cola Co has launched a new Smartwater range in the US containing ingredients that claim to either boost mental focus or bring "emotional calmness".

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Suntory Holdings adds paper straw to UK Ribena cartons 24 Feb 21

Andy Morton

Suntory Holding's UK soft drinks unit is to expand a paper straw trial for Ribena to all cartons of the still juice brand in the country.

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Radnor Hills' Radnor Vits - Product Launch 24 Feb 21

Rhodri Morgan

UK firm Radnor Hills has launched a flavoured packaged water designed to tackle vitamin-and-mineral deficiencies caused by the coronavirus lockdown.

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Drinks industry group seeks oversight role for Scottish deposit return scheme 22 Feb 21

Andy Morton

A group of beverage brand owners and trade associations are bidding to become the administrator for Scotland's upcoming deposit return scheme (DRS).