End of year musings

Michigan State finished the football regular season at 11-1, ranked #7 in the AP and USA Today polls. The Spartans will play Alabama at the Capital One bowl on Jan. 1 in Orlando, Fla. Former MSU head coach Nick Saban is the head coach at Alabama. It will be an interesting match up. What a great fall in East Lansing! Go Green!

Canada Dry Cranberry Ginger Ale is still available! But Diet Cranberry Ginger Ale is sold out. More than 10,000 two-liter bottles were distributed in November.

Happy holidays from the Canada Dry Bottling Co. of Lansing family!

November new customers: Biggby #291 - Chelsea, Biggby #295 - Hartland, Breaktime Snacks, CVS #8295 - Hartland, Corona Smoke Shop, Dollar General #12345 - Lansing, East Lansing BP, Fedco Super Liquor - Albion, Johnny D's, McNamara's Party Store, Nestle Toll House - Okemos, Potterville Public Schools and TNT Industry. Canada Dry Bottling Co. of Lansing values your business!

Industry News
Jeffrey Klineman wrote an interesting column about branding and change in the October issue of Beverage Spectrum. Follow this link to read: http://www.bevspectrum.com/first-drop/2010/change-and-its-discontents/.

Domestic beer sales are down a half percent through Oct. 3, although Pabst Blue Ribbon and Yuengling Traditional Lager posted double-digit growth. Half of the Top 10 Imported Beer brands are from Mexico.
source: Beverage Spectrum Oct 2010

Brand News
Three flavors of Holistics Zero, a new line of no calorie drinks from Adina For Life, should reach the Michigan market by Q1 2011. Flavor profiles include melon and citrus. Holistics is available at Target, Walgreen's, Better Health, Foods For Living and other local stores.

5-Hour Energy has the top six selling energy shots in convenience stores. Extra Strength is #1 across the nation. Sales have increased this year by almost 49 percent.

John Lennon is the new president of XYIENCE. Previously, he was CEO of Pabst Brewing Co. Lennon has more than 25 years experience in the beverage industry.

HOLIDAY Season is here!

We received our annual two-liter shipment of Canada Dry Cranberry Ginger Ale and Diet Cranberry Ginger Ale three weeks ago. Because of limited availability, these popular packages will sell out before Dec. 25.

The MSU Spartans continue to impress fans, pollsters and the national media! Currently ranked #10 in the AP and USA Today polls, the Spartans are 9-1 and leading the Big 10 followed by Iowa, Ohio State and Wisconsin. All four teams have one conference loss. The remaining home game is Nov. 20 vs. Purdue. Go Green!

October new customers: Dylan's Catering, Nestle Toll House - Lansing, One Stop Smoke Shop, Pure & Simple Catering, Rite Aid #4314 - Brighton and State Side Deli - East Lansing. Canada Dry Bottling Co. of Lansing values your business!

Industry News
AriZona is ranked the #1 RTD tea in the United States, with almost 7.5% growth compared to last year.

Hawaiian Punch remains the leading fruit drink with sales increasing this year by more than 1.7%.

Those "smooth" Keith Stone TV commercials have helped revitalize Keystone Light beer. Sales have risen more than 13.7% compared to 2009. source: Beverage Spectrum Sept 2010

Brand News
Jones Soda is offering their unique (and sometimes disturbing) fall flavors in time for holiday dinners. Consumers can purchase Bacon soda and the annual Tofurky & Gravy soda. Go to www.jonesoda.com and buy some today!

How about the Spartans!

The Michigan State University football team is off to their best start in 44 seasons. Currently ranked #8 in the Associated Press and USA Today polls, the Spartans have posted 7 wins and no losses.

What does this have to do with beverages? Well, the buzz and excitement that currently permeates the Greater Lansing area is good for business. All types of business. Hopefully, we'll see more tailgates, more parties and more family get-togethers. Go Green!

September new customers: Austin Rental & Convenience Store, D.A.V. LLC and Reener's II. Canada Dry Bottling Co. of Lansing values your business!

Industry News
Publisher Barry J. Nathanson wrote a great column regarding "slotting" fees in the September issue of Beverage Spectrum. Follow this link to read: http://www.bevspectrum.com/publishers-toast/2010/retailers-quit-playing-the-slots/.

Media News
Xyience reaches more than 100 million TV viewers in North America with their sponsorship of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) television broadcasts. UFC competition can be watched on Spike TV or Pay-Per-View.

Jones Soda and the Independent Film Channel (IFC) presents a new comedy series "The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret" Fridays @ 10 p.m. David Cross plays the title character (a pathological liar) who finds work at the UK offices of a "new energy drink" called Thunder Muscle. The program debuted Oct. 1.