Vividly

Wow. Becky Albrecht, thank you so much!

You know what brands need right now? Fewer spreadsheets and more power ballads. So, we made you a mixtape (for real) 📼 Remember staying up till 2 AM making the perfect mix for someone you really liked? That's basically us. Personally, we think 'Analytics Groove' is a banger but give it a listen and let us know your favorite! https://shorturl.at/upNB5

📞 Opportunity is calling… don’t let it go to voicemail! Vividly’s marketing team is hiring SDRs—and no, you won’t be cold-calling from a pay phone. (But if you can book a meeting that way, we’re impressed.) They need grinders. People who love the hustle, thrive on creating opportunities, and know that the best results come from persistence and creativity. You’ll be part of the marketing team, working closely with sales to start real conversations with the best brands in CPG. If you’re: 🔥 Relentless—you don’t wait for luck, you create it 💡 Creative—you know how to cut through the noise 📈 Driven—you chase goals like it’s your full-time job (because it is) 🤝 Collaborative—you work hard, but never solo …this might be your perfect next role. They’re hiring multiple remote SDRs— link in the comments and tag someone who should apply! 🚀

We've got acquisitions, distribution, and new product news in this week's roundup of #cpgindustry news: Kiki Milk, maker of an organic plant-based milk line marketed to children and families, is extending its brick-and-mortar footprint with 440 Sprouts Farmers Market locations across the country. The announcement comes on the heels of closing a $4 million series seed funding round led by B2 Partners. Canned iced tea maker Halfday Iced Tea recently unveiled a packaging update that speaks to its maturation from next next-generation startup into a growing insurgent brand, simplifying its design and highlighting its low-sugar, prebiotic-enhanced offerings. Spindrift Beverage Co, Inc. is making the leap to full-flavor CSDs with Spindrift SODA. The SODA line is launching with five flavors, including Concord Freeze, Ginger Ale, Orange Cream Float, Shirley Temple, and Strawberry Shortcake. The line is expected to roll out to select retailers later this year. CELSIUS announced today it has agreed to acquire competitor Alani Nutrition for $1.8 billion. The transaction includes a potential $25 million earn-out based on 2025 performance. Lakeview Farms and its newly-acquired noosa yoghurt brand have merged to form Novus Foods. The move comes less than three months after CapVest Partners-owned Lakeview announced its plans to acquire noosa from The Campbell's Company. Veggie burger brand Actual Veggies is making new hires and ramping up marketing efforts with the support of a $7 million investment round led by Relentless Consumer Partners. Impossible Foods is shaking up its C-suite with the hiring of former Chobani executive Meredith Madden as chief demand officer. The venture capital arm of Constellation Brands has acquired a minority stake in hiyo, a nonalcoholic “social tonic” containing a blend of functional ingredients, including adaptogens, nootropics, and botanicals. OAKBERRY has made its supermarket debut with a new line of Sorbet. Offered in three flavors at launch – Açai Sorbet, Açai Sorbet with Peanut Butter Chunks and Açai Sorbet with Banana and Strawberry Chunks – the new line is available at Sprouts Farmers Market locations nationwide. Whole Moon has unveiled its latest innovation, Coconut Milk. The plant-based beverage is crafted with whole-roasted almonds, oats, pistachios, soybeans, and whole coconut meat. Whole Moon Coconut will be available at Sprouts Farmers Market stores nationwide next month.

We're growing! If you're looking for a place where your work actually matters, this might be your spot. ✨ We're 100% remote-first ✨Those 4-day weekends though... whenever a holiday lands on Monday or Friday, we just make it a 4-day weekend! ✨100% covered healthcare premiums for you Our team is made up of folks who are passionate about transforming how CPG brands manage their trade promotions — but we also have lives, hobbies, and families outside of work. We're building something special here, and we want people who are excited to be part of it. Right now, we're looking for Sales Development Representatives who love connecting with people and uncovering opportunities. No CPG experience? No problem - we care more about your drive and potential!

What if 5 minutes could save you months of trade promotion headaches? 🚀 Come chat with us at Expo West to see how our brands are achieving double-digit growth *and* grab the coolest swag in the hall. See you at booth #3198E!

Happy Wednesday! 🐪 Sparkling water brand Aura Bora has been acquired by New York-based investor and brand collective Next In Natural. Aura Bora co-founder and CEO Paul Voge will be staying on board to focus on product innovation, while Next in Natural CEO Jeff Lichtenstein will serve as Chairman of the Board. Private equity firm Ahimsa Companies has acquired frozen pizza and wings purveyor Blackbird Foods. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Carbone Fine Food is rolling out five new pasta sauces this week: Sweet Pepper & Onion, Mediterranean Marinara, Black Truffle Alfredo, Mac & Cheese Alfredo, and Lemon Pepper Alfredo. Kodiak Cakes, known for its pancake mix and oatmeals, now has granola. Made with coconut oil, flavors include Cookie Butter, Chocolat,e and Honey Oat. Coca-Cola HBC. has entered the prebiotic soda beverage category with the launch of Simply Pop under its Simply brand. Simply Pop is a “fruit-forward” line of beverages that is formulated with 25% to 30% fruit juice from concentrate and no added sugar, according to the company. PKN, a plant-based beverage manufacturer, is launching PKN Zero. The non-dairy milk is formulated with filtered water, pecan butter, vanilla extract, and sea salt. PlantBaby has closed its series seed equity financing round, led by B2 partners, to expand distribution and continue its R&D efforts in the plant-based milk categories and beyond. Other investors included Big Idea Ventures, Everywhere Ventures, X Factor Ventures, Women’s Equity Lab Silicon Valley, and Babylist.

IYKYK :)

Happy Wednesday! Here's what's going on in the #cpgindustry this week: UPTIME Energy, Inc. has acquired cold brew coffee maker RISE Brewing Co. in a deal that aligns two established independent brands in their respective categories into a fully integrated new platform. CAULIPOWER has launched what it claims to be the first frozen dill pickle pizza in retail. The new offering features stone-fired cauliflower crust, béchemel sauce infused with dill pickle brine, roasted garlic, mozzarella, and fresh dill. Go Raw | Freeland Foods has unveiled its latest innovation — Snacking Granola. Available in five flavors – Sweet & Salty, Dark Chocolate Chunk, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Cranberry Almond and Cherry Berry Chocolate Chunk – the snacks are made with crispy ingredients like sprouted seeds and puffed whole grains. The new line is slated to launch at Wegmans Food Markets and Sprouts Farmers Market stores nationwide this month. Applegate Farms LLC is venturing deeper into the breakfast space with the launch of its fourth breakfast creation in the last 19 months: Applegate Naturals Breakfast Sandwiches. The products are available at most major retailers, including Sprouts Farmers Market and Raley's. CPG brands looking to stay on top of constantly changing ingredient regulations might be interested in using Turing Labs Inc. 's enhanced AI platform. The AI-powered platform helps brands quickly formulate, reformulate and bring products to market faster. Honey Stinger has introduced peanut butter energy waffles. The line of organic peanut butter waffles features organic peanut butter and organic honey-infused filling sandwiched between two soft-baked organic waffles and will be available at most national retailers over the next few months, according to the brand. Sleepytime Tea maker The Hain Celestial Group is exploring “strategic options” for its personal care business, including a possible sale, as it focuses on its core food and beverage operations. Keurig Dr Pepper Inc. is launching its first permanent offering in two years that combines the original Dr Pepper with blackberry flavor. The offering is the first permanent extension under the Dr Pepper brand since it launched Dr Pepper Strawberries & Cream in 2023.

Many brands are hitting pause on new investments, worried about how shifting trade policies will impact pricing, margins, and promotions. But uncertainty isn’t a reason to wait — it’s a reason to prepare 💪 CPG brands that win in turbulent times are the ones that stay agile, optimize their trade spend, and use data to make smarter decisions. Read on to learn our tips and best practices for navigating potential tariff changes and economic uncertainty with confidence: https://shorturl.at/0xp9G