• 👀 RNDC On Exit Watch in Texas?
• ⬇️ Grocer Confidence Drops 15 Points
• 🏎️ Pepsi’s Off to the Races with F1

We know Boston fans are passionate, but will they go crazy for Red Sox hero David Ortiz’s new rum brand, Ozama?

On paper, there’s little doubt: for the man known as “Big Papi,” his reputation as both a Dominican icon and an all-time MLB great is etched in stone, and the heavyweight slugger will be leaning into both by activating his brand in Boston around Red Sox games and in Florida with the Dominican community.

“I have been part of some alcohol before, but just as an image, not as an owner,” said Ortiz, who’s helped market products from Whistle Pig and Popchips, while also pitching his own salsas and eateries. 

• Those experiences are now coloring his hands-on-but-subdued approach to Ozama: “Based on me representing so many products, in my case, I always have to work harder and harder and harder to be able to connect people.”

But Ortiz may have to showcase his trademark patience at the plate to succeed in a market already awash with celebrity-backed sprits and facing tightening competition from non-alc alternatives.

• Within spirits, celebrity brands are only 5% of dollar sales within NIQ-tracked off-premise channels, and celebrity brands in traditional categories, such as tequila, are declining at a faster rate than the category itself, according to new data from 3 Tier Beverages.

Rum sales have slumped recently, but Abbott Wolfe, founder and CEO of Drink2Success and the day-to-day business manager for Ozama Rum, said that’s “all the more reason” to enter the space and provide a point of differentiation with a premium product.

“Our data is showing that almost a third of consumers who are in the whiskey category are looking to experiment or looking to try other products, and rum is one that they’re picking up.”

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BevNET Live NYC is just two weeks away, and things are really starting to heat up. Over 550 beverage industry professionals are already on board. Now is the time to join them.

Some of the latest names to join the attendee list include Poppi, Vita Coco, Biolyte, and Lemon Perfect. Plus, the virtual networking portal is live, and folks are already starting to connect. Don’t miss your chance to get in on the action.

Register for BevNET Live on June 11 + 12.

Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC) has been shedding suppliers at an alarming rate over recent months, and now another major national loss could be on the horizon.

🤔 That’s because of some of the buzz coming out of an employee Reddit group claiming that whiskey giant Brown-Forman is the latest name to jump ship, just a few weeks after AB-backed Cutwater, the second-largest spirits-based RTD brand, exited RNDC in California, Hawaii, and 13 control states. RNDC and Brown-Forman have not returned our requests for comment yet, but employees on the Reddit threads have been reliable tipsters in the past as suppliers have exited.

👷🏼‍♂️ That exodus – which has seen High Noon and top-selling spirit brand Tito’s Vodka also depart – have already caused layoffs in California, but all eyes are now on Texas, where RNDC announced May 13 a “strategic reinvestment” in its operations by adding over 100 new roles, with a focus on the on-premise. Could the loss of a major supplier cause RNDC to rethink its investment in Texas? We’ll continue tracking this story, so stay tuned. 

Go deeper: RNDC CEO Out After Losing Major Suppliers in California

Yesterday, it was just a tease. Today, it’s reality: Anheuser Busch finally unveiled the official launch of its new 16 oz. RTD line Phorm Energy this morning, and we’ve got images and details available for all readers on BevNET.

Seems that everybody’s feeling at least a little anxious about the economy these days, and retailers are no different. Progressive Grocer reported last week that grocery retailer confidence is down 15 points from last year, although 60% are still optimistic about the remainder of 2025.

😐 About one in three retailers were “highly optimistic” – down 21 points from last year – with 42% “somewhat optimistic” (up 6 points) and 26% feeling pessimistic (up 15 points).

🧑🏼‍🏭 Labor was the top concern for stores (54% listed it as a point of worry) while 49% each said higher costs, supply chain disruptions and wages and benefits were on their list.

💰 The survey was conducted between February 19 and March 10, meaning the situation regarding recession predictions and tariffs has changed numerous times between when the poll concluded and the trade outlet’s webinar discussing the results last week.

Insiders can read more about the report on Nosh.

Ok, it’s not Red Bull, but Pepsi is making its presence felt in the world’s top motorsports league through a new partnership that puts Sting Energy in the driver’s seat at the Official Energy Drink of Formula 1 through 2030. Gatorade is also onboard as the Official Sports Drink of F1 Sprint, and Doritos as Official Savory Snack Partner of Formula 1.