News Briefs

Vitaminwater will now be available on AirTran Airways, thanks to an agreement between the low-cost airline and The Coca-Cola Co. Airline travelers will have a choice between Vitaminwater’s Revive and Essential varieties.
Reed’s, Los Angeles, has signed on with Atlas Distributing for distribution of its soft drink products in central Massachusetts.
Naked Juice Co., Azusa, Calif., formed a multi-year agreement with Starbucks Coffee Co., Seattle, to serve Naked Juice products in its stores. Participating Starbucks outlets will carry Green Machine, Mighty Mango and Protein Zone smoothies as well as O-J orange juice.
The Massachusetts Licensed Beverage Association (MassLBA), Burlington, Mass., has changed its name to the New England Licensed Beverage Association (NELBA). Terry Connaughton, who served as executive director of the MassLBA, will serve as president, and the organization will name directors for each of the six states it represents.
Solvi Brands, Atlanta, signed an agreement with Haralambos Beverage Co. to distribute Crunk Energy Drink in Southern California. Haralambos operates in Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino and Riverside counties.
CKE Restaurants Inc., parent company of Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s restaurants, and The Coca-Cola Co. have agreed to a multi-year renewal of their beverage contract. Under the terms of the agreement, Coca-Cola Foodservice will continue to be the beverage provider for CKE, supplying soft drinks, juice and bottled water.
Skinny Nutritional Corp., Bala Cynwyd, Pa., has signed on with Amazon to make Skinny Water, an appetite-suppressing flavored water, available for online sales. The agreement is the company’s first e-commerce deal, and product will be found in Amazon’s health and personal care section.
“Amazon is a strategically important distributor for us from the credibility, visibility and market-reach standpoints,” said Don McDonald, president and chief executive officer at Skinny Nutritional.
DLR Associates Inc., Mooresville, N.C., announced its Latino-focused, tamarind-flavored Potencia Energy Drink will be available in Nebraska through Omaha-based 3G Distributing.
Burger King announced it will begin offering Nestlé Pure Life bottled water instead of Pepsi’s Aquafina in its U.S. locations. According to a Reuters report, Nestlé’s new Eco-Shape bottle was part of the decision to make the switch.
Tully’s Coffee Corp., Seattle, has partnered with Asia Food Culture Management for a new joint venture called Tully’s Coffee Asia Pacific Partners LP. The companies will develop the Tully’s brand in Asia (excluding Japan), Australia and New Zealand through franchising and licensing activities, retail store operations, coffee roasting and wholesale distribution.
Tully’s also announced a settlement agreement with UCC Ueshima Coffee Co. to resolve litigation related to the 2001 license agreement between the parties.
Heaven Hill Distilleries Inc., Bardstown, Ky., formed a joint venture with Mexican spirits company Tierra de Agaves. The partnership includes joint ownership of the Lunazul and La Certeza Tequila brands. As part of the agreement, Lunazul’s super-premium Blanco and Reposado tequilas as well as La Certeza’s Blanco, Reposado and Anejo tequila varieties will join the Heaven Hill portfolio.
New Belgium Brewing, Fort Collins, Colo., was recognized with a Colorado Governor’s Excellence in Renewable Energy Award last month. The company received the award in the Large Business category for its use of wind power, and the incorporation of energy-efficient and renewable features throughout its facility.