DENVER, CO / ACCESSWIRE / January 16, 2019 / PRESS RELEASE / New Age Beverages Corporation, a Colorado- and Utah-based organic and natural beverage company, has announced the signing of an agreement to develop and distribute Marley branded cannabis-infused beverages.
Key Highlights:
- Partnership leverages Docklight Brands' extensive CBD expertise and utilizes their depth of insight in regulatory, compliance, production and quality control
- Venture leverages New Age global retail distribution footprint, brand and product development capabilities to launch Marley+CBD in key markets beginning immediately
- Bob Marley CBD-infused beverages were introduced at the Winter Fancy Food Show on Jan. 13 and began fielding initial orders on a first-come, first-served basis
The first product to roll out in the Marley+CBD portfolio will be Marley+CBD Mellow Mood, relaxation drinks in 15.5 oz cans with 25 mg of pharmaceutical grade CBD per serving. Initial market rollout to customers will be in Colorado, Oregon, Washington and Michigan where cannabis is legal for responsible adult consumption. This rollout gives New Age a significant first-mover advantage in the CBD space with a globally-recognized brand platform, and positions the venture well for further expansion as regulations permit.
Since beginning conversations with retailers and distributors in October 2018, New Age has received commitments and confirmation from major national accounts and distributors encompassing more than 125,000 outlets, including two of the largest U.S. retailers in the convenience and grocery channels. New Age expects to expand distribution of the Marley+CBD brand to additional markets as the regulatory landscape allows.
New Age has developed a supply chain structure to meet what it forecasts to be a significant demand in 2019. New Age is implementing an brand awareness and in-store marketing plan beginning in the 2nd quarter with significant social, digital, and community building campaigns supporting the launch at retail. New Age will also utilize Leafly.com, the world's leading cannabis information resource, to target, advertise and gain consumer insights and analytics to precison target all marketing and brand awareness activities.
Michael Cunningham, senior vice president of sales for New Age, commented, "It makes my job a lot easier when I have retailers and distributors reaching out to me asking for specific products. From the moment the CBD movement began, I've been receiving calls nonstop asking when we'd be going to market with a Marley+CBD product. Retailers and distributors realize that it will be a long road for smaller CBD brands to gain traction and brand equity. Under the Marley brand platform, we are able to leverage a massive global brand with ties to healthy cannabis use, to ultimately grow a beverage brand beyond anything we have seen to-date."
