SEATTLE -- Jones Soda Co. has launched a 12-oz. bottled soda sweetened with pure cane sugar. And in conjunction with the national launch of the Jones Soda 12-oz. can, the company outlined a strategy to convert the sweetener in all its Jones Soda products to pure cane sugar from high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS).
Pure cane sugar is a natural ingredient as opposed to HFCS, which is food and drink additive. The entire Jones Soda full-sugar line is now branded Jones Pure Cane Soda and is available in single 12-oz. glass bottles and four-packs as well as 12[image-nocss] -oz. cans.
Jones Pure Cane Soda is unique in the alternative beverage category as the only national brand sweetened with pure cane sugar, according to the company.
Peter van Stolk, president and CEO, said, We are excited to now offer even better products for our consumers while at the same time further distinguishing Jones Soda from the competition. After numerous requests from our customers, coupled with detailed market research and comprehensive product development, we now believe that we now offer the best soda product in the industry and we are confident that everyone will enjoy and appreciate this positive switch to pure cane sugar.
He concluded, We believe this transition to pure cane sugar will further solidify our leadership position as a result of the better taste, enhanced health benefits and positive perception of this new beverage line. We are committed to continuing to introduce unique and compelling products that resonate with our consumers, attract new customers to the brand and increase our penetration of the overall soda category.
Meanwhile, Jones Soda has appointed Peter Burns to the position of senior executive vice president of sales and marketing.
Burns joins Jones Soda from Izze Beverage Co., where he served as vice president of sales since 2005. During his tenure, he was instrumental in developing a long-term, strategic plan targeting $100 million in sales in the new-age beverage business and was responsible for achieving $20 million in sales in less than two years.
From 2001 to 2004, he held the title of executive vice president of sales with the Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Corp. In this position, Burns helped deliver four-year compounded sales growth of 35% while at the same time serving as the exclusive contact and sales manager for Wal-Mart. After Mauna Loa was acquired by Hershey Foods in December 2004, he was appointed vice president of sales integration to coordinate and supervise a seamless integration of all Manua Loa divisions to Hershey Foods.
During his career, Burns also served in several senior sales positions with Celestial Seasonings, including general manager and national sales manager for the grocery division.
Headquartered in Seattle, the beverage company manufactures its Jones Soda, Jones Energy Jones Organics, Jones Naturals and Whoopass brands and sells them through its distribution network in select markets across North America.
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