Beverage Enhancing ‘Drops’ Offer Great Tasting, Convenient and Custom Solution for Hot and Cold Beverages

Chicago, IL (March 5, 2014) – Whole Earth Sweetener Company LLC today announced the launch of new Pure Via^® Liquid Sweeteners in two delicious varieties: original (stevia) and vanilla.  The zero-calorie liquid sweeteners, which are naturally sweetened with stevia, are packaged in portable ‘no drip’ bottles designed for on-the-go consumers.

The beverage enhancers category has experienced double-digit unit sales growth (+24%) at retail in 2013[1], driven largely by consumers looking to personalize their beverages.  Pure Via^® Liquid Sweeteners offer a great-tasting solution that dissolve quickly and add natural sweetness and flavor to hot and cold beverages, including coffee, tea and iced tea.  The no-drip lid means no messes.  The sweeteners are especially convenient for use in food service channels, like coffee shops and restaurants, where stevia sweeteners aren’t yet widely available.

“Consumers are demanding flavor, personalization and convenience in every aspect of their lives,” said Cheryl Gill, Director, North America Marketing, Whole Earth Sweetener Company LLC.  “Pure Via^® Liquid Sweeteners deliver a great-tasting, zero-calorie custom solution for their favorite hot and cold beverages.”

The 1.62fl oz. bottle, which provides 48 servings, fits easily in a purse, backpack, pocket or gym bag, offering a ‘sweet’ convenience anywhere consumers go.  A simple double click of the easy-squeeze bottle delivers one serving (2ml) and a clean, sweet taste.

Pure Via^® Liquid Sweetener joins a family of Pure Via^® tabletop sweetener products including Pure Via^®, an all-natural, Non-GMO, zero-calorie sweetener made from the sweetest, best-tasting part of the stevia leaf, and Pure Via^® Turbinado Raw Cane Sugar & Stevia Blend, a low-calorie alternative to regular sugar that combines turbinado sugar and stevia plant extract.  Consumers with a sweet tooth can use both options like sugar to make foods and beverages taste naturally delicious.  They simply spoon, sprinkle, dip or mix the sweetener in coffee, tea and iced tea or in their favorite recipes.  A sweet addition to a healthy lifestyle, both blends are kosher and suitable for individuals with gluten intolerance.

Pure Via^® Liquid Sweeteners (original and vanilla) are now available nationwide at local grocery, club and drug stores in 1.62fl oz. (48ml) bottles for a suggested retail price of $2.99, which may vary by market.  The brand will also launch a hazelnut flavor in July.  Discover more at www.purevia.com, and like or follow the brand at www.facebook.com/PureViaUS and www.twitter.com/PureVia.

About Pure Via^®

Pure Via^® is an all-natural, zero-calorie sweetener made from Rebaudioside A (Reb A), the sweetest, best-tasting part of the stevia leaf.  Reb A is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.  Handcrafted to be perfect in coffee, Pure Via^® is available in 40- and 80ct. boxes for a suggested retail price of $2.49 and $4.29, respectively.  You can purchase Pure Via^® in the sweetener aisle at grocery, club and mass merchandise stores across the U.S.  Pure Via^® is a trademark of Whole Earth Sweetener Company LLC, for tabletop sweeteners.  The ingredients in Pure Via are produced without bioengineering.

About Whole Earth Sweetener Company LLC

Whole Earth Sweetener Company LLC is committed to providing natural sweeteners and to helping people eat better and live healthier, more fulfilling lives.  Formed in 2006, Whole Earth Sweetener Company LLC launched its first all-natural sweetener brand, Sweet Simplicity®, in 2007, and the company continues to develop products that are perfectly natural and naturally pure.  Whole Earth Sweetener Company LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Merisant Company, the maker of Equal® and Canderel® and a global leader in the manufacture, marketing and distribution of tabletop sweeteners, with sales in over 90 countries.  For more information, visit www.wholeearthsweetener.com

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CHICAGO, IL (January 23, 2014) – Core Power, the natural fresh milk-based high protein drink, today became a national sponsor and the “Official Protein Drink” of the 2014 Reebok Spartan Race, the world’s leading global obstacle race series.  The partnership pairs two dynamic companies committed to providing athletes and active individuals with state-of–the-art tools and experiences designed to enhance sports performance.

Protein consumption is an important part of maintaining an active lifestyle – regular protein intake helps to fuel the body for the daily challenges that we all face, from the maintenance of healthy eating habits on the go to building lean muscle after training and workouts.  Nutrition experts agree that milk is one of the best sources of protein, as good for elite athletes as for those with active lifestyles.  Core Power delivers natural whey and casein proteins from milk, never removed from their original liquid state, to help active individuals keep their nutrition in check and to help Spartan Racers stay at the top of their games, before and after they race – and as they train.  The natural ingredient protein shake also includes carbohydrates for energy, electrolytes to rehydrate and fatty acids to improve recovery.

What truly separates Core Power from the competition and makes it such an effective recovery drink is the process.  fairlife, LLC, the Company that makes Core Power, separates milk into its five components – through filtration that builds upon and improves traditional dairy techniques.  The result is an effective and better-tasting protein supermilk made with simple ingredients and more protein, calcium and vitamins – but no lactose and no gluten.

“Our team has developed a superior protein drink for fitness enthusiasts who need to fuel their physically active lifestyles,” said Steve Jones, Chief Executive Officer of fairlife, LLC.  “Spartan Racers are serious athletes and inspirational fun-loving people – they need and deserve a better protein drink.”

“Core Power is a natural fit for the 2014 Reebok Spartan Race series and adds another exciting partner to our mission of making Obstacle Course Racing an Olympic sport,” said Joe DeSena, Spartan Race CEO and Co-Founder. “Our Spartan athletes will appreciate this high protein drink with simple and straight forward ingredients that will help them recover from the physical challenge of our races.”

Every finisher at every Spartan Race will have the opportunity to sample Core Power, which is available in two varieties: the CORE version has 26 grams of protein and 240 calories, and the LIGHT version has 20 grams of protein and 150 calories.  Core Power CORE is available in vanilla, chocolate and banana while Core Power LIGHT is available in chocolate and strawberry banana.  Attendees at select races will also enjoy access to the Core Power Recovery Zone, which will feature a branded state of the art recreational vehicle that will provide live streaming of race action via flat screen televisions. The Core Power Recovery Zone vehicle will also travel the country to other sporting events and retail locations, sampling consumers and educating them on the benefits of Core Power.

Core Power will launch its partnership with Spartan Race at Vail Lake Resort in Temecula, California, on Saturday, January 25.  For a full 2014 schedule or to sign-up to participate in a Spartan Race in your area, visit: http://www.spartanrace.com/spartan-obstacle-racing-events.php

Core Power can be found in most grocery and convenience stores across the country for a suggested retail price of $2.99, which may vary.  For a store locator, please visit corepower.com/stores.  “Like” Core Power on Facebook and “follow” the brand on twitter @corepower

About Core Power

Core Power is made by fairlife, LLC, established in 2012. The milk used to make Core Power comes from Select Milk Producers, a co-op of 92 family owned dairy farms, founded by Mike and Sue McCloskey. The farms of SMP produce the clean, pure, high-quality milk that is key to the simple, delicious nutrition Core Power delivers. The McCloskeys started fairlife to revolutionize the dairy industry and further invigorate the growing health and wellness category by bringing the purity and great taste of SMP milk to a range of naturally advanced drinks and snacks for home, grab ‘n go and fitness needs.  For more information, please visit www.fairlife.com. Core Power is just one of several products planned for national distribution. Core Power® is distributed nationwide – for a store locator, please visit http://www.corepower.com/stores.

About Spartan Race

The Reebok Spartan Race, voted Outside Magazine’s Best Obstacle Race in 2012, is the world’s leading obstacle racing series and the first of its kind to have global rankings. With over 80 events planned for 2014, Reebok Spartan Race is making obstacle racing one of the fastest growing sports in the world. This international timed event series featuring races at three distances (Sprint, Super and Beast), culminating each year in a World Championship finale  – with a $300,000 in cash and prizes awarded in 2013 alone. While featuring competitive elite heats, Reebok Spartan Races are for athletes of all levels and abilities and are geared toward ripping people off their couches and getting them into the outdoors, living a fitter life. Go to http://www.spartanrace.com for more information, a schedule of events or to register for a race.

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Chicago, IL (January 13, 2014) – Whole Earth Sweetener Company LLC today announced that it has launched a new Pure Via^® produced with Non-GMO ingredients.  Pure Via^® is the first global brand of all-natural sweetener to promote this choice in the United States.  The change affects both Pure Via^® and Pure Via^® Turbinado Raw Cane Sugar & Stevia Blend.

The new Pure Via^® meets a growing demand for Non-GMO products.  According to a recently published New York Times survey, 75% of consumers ”expressed concern about genetically modified organisms in their food.”  Whole Earth reformulated Pure Via^® with a Non-GMO dextrose derived from cassava root rather than from corn.  All other ingredients in Pure Via are already Non-GMO and will remain the same.  Packages and sachets of the new Pure Via^® will be specially marked with a Non-GMO logo.  In the absence of applicable U.S. laws and regulations on GMO labeling, Whole Earth is following the European Union regulations for what constitutes Non-GMO ingredients and flavors.

Whole Earth is also offering consumers transparency with its Nothing to Hide^® approach to “natural”.  Because consumers have different ideas about what “natural” means when it comes to food, Whole Earth has posted on its website the Company’s natural standard and descriptions of how each ingredient in Pure Via^® is processed.

“We’re pleased to offer an all-natural tabletop sweetener that is made exclusively with Non-GMO ingredients,” said Cheryl Gill, director, North America Marketing, Whole Earth Sweetener Company LLC.  “Consumers are increasingly looking for Non-GMO products and want to be educated about the foods they consume.  We want to meet their expectations.”

Pure Via^® is an all-natural, zero-calorie sweetener this is made with a sweet extract of the stevia plant.  Pure Via^® Turbinado Raw Cane Sugar & Stevia Blend is a lower calorie alternative to regular sugar that combines turbinado sugar and stevia plant extract to create a golden brown all-natural sweetener that’s crunchy, sweet and delicious.  Consumers with a sweet tooth can use both options like sugar to make foods and beverages taste naturally delicious.  They simply spoon, sprinkle, dip or mix the sweetener in coffee, tea and iced tea or in their favorite recipes.  A sweet addition to a healthy lifestyle, both blends are kosher and suitable for individuals with gluten intolerance.

Pure Via^® Non-GMO will be available as of January 13, 2014.  Whole Earth Sweetener Company LLC expects the natural and GMO debate to continue and will seek to meet consumer expectations and offer differentiating benefits.

Discover more at www.purevia.com or www.facebook.com/PureViaUS

About Pure Via^®

Pure Via^® is an all-natural, zero-calorie sweetener this is made from Rebaudioside A (Reb A), the sweetest, best-tasting part of the stevia leaf.  Reb A is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.  Handcrafted to be perfect in coffee, Pure Via^® is available in 40- and 80ct. boxes for a suggested retail price of $2.49 and $4.29, respectively.  You can purchase Pure Via^® in the sweetener aisle at grocery, club and mass merchandise stores across the U.S.  Pure Via^® is a trademark of Whole Earth Sweetener Company LLC, for tabletop sweeteners.

About Whole Earth Sweetener Company LLC

Whole Earth Sweetener Company LLC is committed to providing natural sweeteners and to helping people eat better and live healthier, more fulfilling lives.  Formed in 2006, Whole Earth Sweetener Company LLC launched its first all-natural sweetener brand, Sweet Simplicity®, in 2007, and the company continues to develop products that are perfectly natural and naturally pure.  Whole Earth Sweetener Company LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Merisant Company, the maker of Equal® and Canderel® and a global leader in the manufacture, marketing and distribution of tabletop sweeteners, with sales in over 90 countries.  For more information, visit www.wholeearthsweetener.com

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Award-Winning Dark & Blonde Incarnations Inspired by Ernest Hemingway’s Spirit of Adventure Now Available in 10 Markets

Key West, Florida (December 19, 2013) – Papa’s Pilar^™, the new super-premium rum inspired by Ernest Hemingway’s spirit of adventure that’s hell-bent on returning rum to its gutsy roots, was named the “Best New Rum of 2013” by the Caribbean Journal.

In the publication’s words, “both rums are simply out of this world.  For a pair of new-to-market rums, we were blown away.  [Papa’s Pilar Dark] was one of our easier choices [and] a leading contender for ‘Rum of the Year’ as well.  It’s a solera blend of rums as old as 24 years from Central America and the Caribbean, aged in bourbon barrels and port wine casks, then finished in sherry casks.  And it’s a stunner.  What a debut for a rum we know will be around for a very long time…certainly worthy of the Hemingway name.”

Earlier this year, Papa’s Pilar Dark was awarded “Double Gold” at the prestigious 2013 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.  A bold and complex rum at 86-proof, it is both pot and column stilled and boasts hand-selected rums up to 24 years old, and a long, velvety finish.  By contrast, Papa’s Pilar Blonde is a crisp and nuanced rum, which includes column stilled aged rums 3-7 years old.  At 84-proof, it has a layered and exceptionally smooth finish.  Papa’s Pilar Blonde was awarded “Best in Class” White Rum at the 2013 Rum Renaissance Festival and is considered “one of the world’s most exquisite off-white sipping rums” by International Rum Council Co-founder, Dave Russell.

“We’re thrilled that Papa’s Pilar was awarded Best New Rum of 2013,” said Jay Maltby, lead master blender, Papa’s Pilar.  “We’re the only rum supplier utilizing a solera that contains rums of various ages and sources of supply.  And, while we have an authentic story to tell and packaging that speaks for itself, it’s the liquid that really matters.  ‘Papa’ would be proud.”

BOLD. WELL-TRAVELED. DEEPLY NUANCED.

Papa’s Pilar Dark and Blonde are born of the finest rums and pay homage to Hemingway’s exploits on land and sea, respectively.  Each is hand-selected from ports-of-call throughout the Caribbean, Central America and the U.S.A. for their age and distinct character.  Once brought to the U.S.A., the Papa’s Pilar team of Master Blenders artfully marry the rums in a unique solera aging and blending process, using American Oak Bourbon barrels, Port Wine casks, and finishing in Spanish Sherry casks.

Papa’s Pilar is meant to rekindle a sense of adventure in us all and replace the Hawaiian shirts and umbrella drinks with which rum has become associated.  “Papa” as Ernest Hemingway was known, was possibly the world’s greatest adventurer.  Papa’s Pilar was crafted to be near that same adventure, accompanying rum enthusiasts as they sink their teeth into life.  Named for his muse and one true constant, Pilar is the vessel that allowed America’s literary giant to reach beyond the shoreline, feast on life and remind us to never be a spectator.

Every aspect of Papa’s Pilar is thoughtful and purposeful.  The distinct bottle evokes Papa’s exploits through a form factor reminiscent of an iconic WWII canteen.  The etched compass closure reflects that same sense of adventure on either land or sea, and the chain link makes it practical for any excursion.  The lion heads represent nobility while the Rooster on the Medallion pays homage to Key West, an island where Hemingway and his boat Pilar once resided and remain celebrated fixtures within the community.

Papa’s Pilar rums are now available in 750ml bottles in both on- and off-premise accounts in Northern California, Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas and Washington, DC.  The suggested retail price of the Dark and Blonde are $39.99 and $29.99, respectively.  Prices may vary by market.

Papa’s Pilar was developed in conjunction with Ernest Hemingway’s estate.  The Hemingway family will donate 100 percent of their royalty profits to organizations that embody the likes of adventure, literacy, and conservation, causes dear to Hemingway and his heirs.  In May 2013, the Family made a $30,000 donation to the International Game Fish Association (IGFA), a highly reputable worldwide organization that embodies many of Ernest Hemingway’s core values, from sport and adventure to protection of natural resources.   As one of the founding members and a member of the IGFA Hall of Fame, Hemingway contributed greatly to the sport – while marrying his passions for angling and writing.

“We worked closely with the Hemingway family to ensure the brand and product captured Hemingway’s true essence,” said Lindsey Kops, brand manager, Papa’s Pilar.  “Today, we raise a glass to this exciting new adventure and a man who inspired us all to never be a spectator.”

Papa’s Pilar plans to break ground on a new distillery and experience center in 2014 in Key West, Florida.  For more information, please visit www.papaspilar.com, “like” us on facebook http://www.facebook.com/PapasPilarRum and follow us on twitter https://twitter.com/papaspilar #papawouldbeproud

About Hemingway Rum Company, LLC

Hemingway Rum Company, LLC is a distilled spirits company based in Florida that’s dedicated to producing super-premium multi-sourced solera blended artisanal rums. The Company’s inaugural offerings are Papa’s Pilar™ Dark and Blonde rums, incepted and crafted by a seasoned team of best-in-class partners. The Company encourages consumers of legal drinking age to Live Courageously and Drink Responsibly and proudly supports local organizations that serve Ernest Hemingway’s adventurous, literary and conservational legacy.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – (December 11, 2013) – In honor of its milestone tenth moustache season, Movember, the global charity that raises awareness and funds for men’s health through the power of the moustache and only a moustache, is proud to announce the closing of an impactful 2013 campaign.  Since its inception, a global army of over 4 million Mo Bros and Mo Sistas have grown, or supported the growth of a moustache, raising over half a billion dollars for prostate cancer, testicular cancer and men’s mental health research and programs.

While the 30 days of Movember are officially over and men across the world have shaven off their moustaches, supporters can continue to donate to the cause by visiting: movember.com/donate. In 2013, the U.S. campaign saw over 219,000 men and women raising more than $20 million for the 577 programs that Movember funds.

“We at Movember are extremely humbled by the passion and dedication of our moustache growing community and would like to say thank you for bringing about change in attitudes, actions and funding,” said Mark Hedstrom, US country director for Movember. “The billions of conversations generated and millions of dollars raised through the simple act of growing a moustache are leading the charge in changing the face of men’s health.  We look forward to welcoming a new generation of moustache aficionados in 2014.”

In the US, programs directed by the Movember Foundation are focused on awareness and education, living with and beyond cancer, and research to achieve the goal of having an everlasting impact on the face of men’s health. At a global level, Movember funds the Global Action Plan (GAP), an international research collaboration initiative that is accelerating outcomes by providing researchers from around the world the opportunity to work together on specific research projects.

“Movember has had an incredible year!  We’ve seen fantastic growth in the US and mainland Europe along with greater engagement from our Mo community, corporate sector and partners,” said Adam Garone, CEO and co-founder of Movember. “Outside of moustache season, our team will be focused on furthering the men’s health cause by funding world-class programs made possible because of all those that grew and gave.”

For more information, please visit www.movember.com. Connect with Movember on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, flickr, and Pinterest.

About Movember

Movember aims to forever change the face of men’s health through the power of the moustache, by raising vital awareness and funds for men’s health issues to combat prostate and testicular cancer and mental health challenges. Movember programs are focused on awareness and education, living with and beyond cancer, and research to achieve our vision of an everlasting impact on the face of men’s health. Since 2003, four million participants have raised over $550MM for the cause, funding more than 570 programs globally, with official Movember campaigns taking place in 21 countries. Movember is fully accredited by the Better Business Bureau, and for the past two years, has been named a Top 100 best NGO by The Global Journal. For more information please visit Movember.com. Movember is a registered 501(c)(3) charity.

Chicago, IL – (November 11, 2013) – Better Brands Beverage Co. (BBBCo.) announced that it has chosen Texas (Dallas, Houston & San Antonio), to be among the first markets to launch Salute American, a new brand with a purpose.  The Company’s inaugural offering is an American-made, premium vodka that’s committed to investing in the future of U.S. veterans who have proudly served their country.  To that end, the Company will donate $1 for every 750ml bottle sold to approved veterans’ charities – forever – a declaration etched on every bottle.

Salute American is the brainchild of CEO-founder Pete Kelly, a passionate entrepreneur who wanted to make a difference in people’s lives through the ‘pay-it-forward’ philosophy.  Pete couldn’t think of a more deserving group than U.S. Veterans – a band of brothers with increasingly high unemployment and homelessness rates*.  Salute American became a practical way to help maintain and create jobs in the US for veterans, and to generate ongoing economic success, stronger families and stronger communities.

“Salute American is more than a name – it’s our mission,” said Pete Kelly, CEO-founder, Better Brands BevCo.  “We prove our patriotism by giving back and paying it forward.”

Salute American Vodka is pure American from start to finish.  The vodka, which was approved for the USA Certified™ Seal, is made from corn and wheat grains straight from the heartland.  It’s then four times distilled for a smooth and sweet taste that works well mixed or neat.  The canteen-shaped bottle bearing the red, white and blue, was manufactured in Park Hills, Missouri, by Piramal, and distilled and bottled at Lidestri Spirits in Rochester, NY.

In addition to Texas, the brand is available in on- and off-premise accounts in Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Missouri and Southern Illinois.  The suggested retail price for a 750ml bottle is $19.99, which may vary by market.  Salute American Vodka is 80-proof and 40% alcohol by volume.  The brand received a Silver Medal and an 87-point “highly recommended” rating from the prestigious Beverage Testing Institute in the category of “Best Value Vodka $20 and under.”  For more information, please visit www.saluteamerican.com “like” us on facebook www.facebook.com/SaluteAmericanVodka and follow us on twitter @SaluteAmerican.

* According to Labor Department Data, the unemployment rate among male veterans, ages 18-24, is nearly 27%.  There are currently more than 100,000 homeless Vets in the US.

About Better Brands BevCo.

Privately owned and Midwest-based, Better Brands Beverage Co. is a for-profit company committed to investing in Veterans’ Charities that create jobs for Veterans.  The Company was founded in 2012 by CEO Pete Kelly who passionately believes in making a difference in people’s lives through the ‘pay-it-forward’ philosophy.

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