• 🌴 ​​Nowadays Pairs With Palm Tree
• 🫡 ForceBrands Brings in New Leaders
• 🏋️ BioSteel Pumps Out Protein Shakes
• 🥛 Raw Milk Tech Gets FDA Approval
• 🔄 Retail Voodoo Becomes Voodoo Brands
• 🎙️ Now Streaming: Taste Radio

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Today is the day we’ve all been waiting for. Whether you made it out to the Big Apple, or you’re tuning in from a remote destination, today’s agenda has something for everyone. Here’s a rundown of what’s in-store for BevNET Live Day One. 

The festivities are about to begin – promptly at 10 AM ET. Our fearless leader (read: editor-in-chief) Jeffrey Klineman – who is admittedly amped up about “the whole damn agenda” – will guide us through the day’s discussions with a few assists from managing editor Martin Caballero, senior reporter Brad Avery and reporter Shauna Golden. If you see them around, feel free to spill some (metaphorical) tea.   

First, we’ll dig into the experiences of big name CEOs like Voss Americas’ Jack Belsito. As the day progresses we will also tap into the sage advice of Yerba Madre’s Ben Mand and Koia’s Chris Hunter. From navigating big name changes, to a “how to” on tackling tough decisions, you won’t want to miss out. 

Money talks, so after that, we’re talking money, with The Family Fund’s Josh Wand, The Angel Group’s Alyssa Arnold and Paperboy Ventures’ Kyle Fitzpatrick. These panelists will bring us inside funding collectives and detail why multi-member investment syndicates and shared platforms are becoming powerful value-added investors for beverage brands.

Not yet star struck? Well, be sure to tune in at 11:35 am ET for a special deep dive into the partnership between Live Nation and Jolene, the just-launched RTD coffee company co-founded by The Red Hot Chilli Pepper’s frontman Anthony Kiedis.

After that Circana’s Sally Lyons Wyatt will walk us through who is stealing the most Share of Sip – including key developments affecting pricing, innovation, assortment and consumer appetites for beverage brands.

As we hone in on Happy Hour, we’ll imbibe on some alternatives to a traditional buzz. That includes the evolution of Adult Non Alcoholic (ANA) beverages with De Soi’s Scout Brisson, Little Saint’s Megan Klein and The Pathfinder’s Jill Sites. After that we’ll file into an intoxicating discussion with Theory Wellness’ Brandon Pollock, Flyers Cocktail Co.’s Craig Lewis and A.Y. Strauss’ Jennifer Cabrera. 

Don’t miss a minute. Tune into the livestream now. 

Check out the full agenda while you fine-tune and level up your beverage business expertise.

Sure, young people may be drinking less alcohol these days, but how does that jive with a night out in Miami? Enter Nowadays. After a splashy activation last month when the city hosted a Formula 1 Grand Prix, the brand is looking to keep the party going as the official, exclusive THC beverage partner for Palm Tree Crew and its affiliated venues and events. 

🪩 Along with a year-long ‘residency’ at Palm Tree Club Miami that will incorporate the product into the venue’s beverage program, Nowadays will also have a presence Palm Tree Music Festival dates in Aspen and the Hamptons, and affiliated parties for events like Art Basel.

📊 For its part, Palm Tree Crew – the hospitality platform founded by electronic music DJ Kygo and his manager, Kyles Shear – has lately been an active investor in emerging beverage brands and categories: the group backed Cove Soda last year, then put in $3 million (and enlisted social media starmaker Alix Earle) to help fuel the relaunch of RTD cocktail SipMARGS in March.

Read the full story on BevNET for more details.

CPG talent recruitment business ForceBrands has named a new slate of leaders, including incoming CEO Rob Ganjon, who is taking the helm from founder Josh Wand after 17 years.

• Wand will remain with the business as a board member.
• ForceBrands announced three other new appointments, along with the launch of an Advisory Services division, including head of advisory services Curt Schwab, CRO Britni Prentice and director of partnerships & community engagement Tara Burkley.

Insiders can read the full story on Nosh.

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As Sports nutrition brand BioSteel continues to rebuild after its sale by Canopy Growth in 2023, it’s taking its protein from powder to liquid with the launch of its first RTD protein drink, available in Vanilla with a Chocolate flavor coming soon.

💻 According to President and CEO Dan Crosby, the line is available now online direct-to-consumer and will be launching in retail this month.

🔥 Protein has been a hot commodity in recent years and BioSteel is far from the first sports nutrition brand to make an extension into RTD protein offerings, following brands like Don’t Quit!, Oikos and Slate, among others.

Go Deeper: Protein Drinks Keep Punching as Core Brands Grow

While the Health and Human Services Secretary takes raw milk shots with podcasters at the White House, many people still fear that unpasteurized dairy can be harmful. 

Food tech company Tamarack Biotics says fear not, as it has secured FDA acceptance for its novel light-based milk treatment process. TruActive eliminates pathogens while preserving the enzymes, proteins and compounds often destroyed through heat-based pasteurization.

🐮 The FDA’s approval allows TruActive to be used in the production of powdered dairy ingredients, with plans to expand into cheese, yogurt, kefir, colostrum and, eventually, liquid raw milk by 2027.

😡 HHS Secretary RFK Jr., along with other MAHA proponents, claim that unpasteurized, raw milk contains healthy microbacteria; yet, there is currently no scientific evidence to back up that claim and the agency he oversees has significantly cut staffing, decimating its ability to oversee food safety.

Go Deeper: MAHA Pegs Soda Against SNAP

Consulting firm Retail Voodoo has rebranded as Voodoo Brands, marking “a bold step forward” as the agency expands its range of strategic and creative services. 

Lisa Curtis, founder and CEO of wellness brand Kuli Kuli, shares the inside story of the company’s evolution – from overcoming pandemic-era disruptions to executing a bold brand refresh – and why she emphasizes a “fail fast” mindset. She also reveals what it took to steer Kuli Kuli to profitability and offers her perspective on the key to long-term success in the crowded wellness industry.

Tune into the episode now. Also available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.