Consumer demand for low-sugar, naturally formulated beverages has driven consistent annual sales growth for Zevia, creating a strong foundation for its initial public offering this week, said CEO Paddy Spence. The stevia-sweetened beverage producer is eyeing growth in convenience and foodservice channels as well as e-commerce and international markets, Pence added.

Unilever has completed preparing part of its tea business for spinoff via either an initial public offering, sale or partnership, said CEO Alan Jope. The deal will not affect Unilever's partnership with PepsiCo.

Coca-Cola's new Topo Chico hard seltzer line is now available in 17 markets globally -- and will hit 11 more before the end of the year -- but the company is still learning in a category outside its comfort zone, according to Coca-Cola chairman and CEO James Quincey. The line, which is a partnership with Molson Coors Beverage, is making inroads in select markets in Latin America, Europe and the US, but "[w]e want to learn and understand more before we decide anything one direction or the other," said Quincey.

Apple cider vinegar-based soda brand Poppi generated mainstream appeal by rebranding in retail last year at the onset the pandemic, said co-founder Allison Ellsworth. The brand's health-forward formulation, retro packaging redesign and nostalgia-inspired flavors appeal to "the regular consumer that just wants something better for you," said Ellsworth.

Coca-Cola's second-quarter 42% revenue growth was accompanied by a doubling of its marketing spend compared with the same period in 2020, which returned the spend to pre-pandemic levels, said John Murphy, chief financial officer. Coca-Cola is taking a more targeted, innovative approach to marketing to drive spending efficiency and effectiveness, added Murphy.

Jones Soda's mobile app is using augmented reality technology that scans the brand's labels to reveal videos that highlight a host of athlete and artist content creators. The campaign celebrates Jones' 25th anniversary and brings its history full circle, as the brand is known for featuring consumer-generated art on-label, said head of marketing Maisie Antoniello.

The Fresh Market's initial public offering filing and Nestle Toll House's fall lineup of cookie dough and baking mixes attracted SmartBrief's food and beverage readers this week. ALDI's small-format design and new CPG products from Kellogg and Pringles also ranked high with readers.

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